This blog comes to you late (as I'm writing it at the end of September) but it's worth sharing any way :).
Very early on Saturday, Aug. 30, Stephen and I got up and out of the house to catch our coach bus at 7am to Brussels, Belgium. The bus ride was a little more than 4 hrs but in the end, we found ourselves in the Capital of the European Union.
The city was filled with historical sites, monuments and beautiful architecture. In a couple of the photos I posted, there is a main square with the MOST beautiful buildings I have ever seen. These are the offices of the labor unions (masons, wood workers and MANY other skilled craftsmen). These buildings were built in the 1400's (I think) and they embodied the belief that from honest work, comes honest wealth - and this WAS the case in Brussels. The people of Brussels were very wealthy and became so on the hard work of a blue collar profession. Quite different from today's standards, eh?
The next morning we were off early again on an hour long bus ride north to the medieval city of Bruges. OMG! This city is filled with even more beauty than Brussels! Back in its Hay-Day (again around the 1400's), Bruges was a major city of commerce. At the time, they were directly connected to the North Sea and were the regional center for international trade. This made the city extremely wealthy. As the years went on, major shifts in political power and environmental factors literally killed the city. The sea port silted in, the people in power made some harsh decisions and the people of Bruges had no way to earn money. The city essentially was preserved by its death. Very few people lived there for a long time and those that did, had no income. Fast forward a few hundred years and the city was discovered by tourists. Preserved entirely in its original medieval state - due to the city's inability to upgrade ANYTHING - the city was infused with new money from tourism. Today, it stands nearly exactly as it did in the days of its most prosperous times. The photos are spectacular but the city is best experienced in person.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A night on the town…then the next in another…
Stephen and I finally had the pleasure of tasting the K-town night life last Friday.
As it was Cousin Shannon's last few nights in town, we thought we'd fulfill her desire (and our standing curiosity) for the K-town night life. We started the evening out at a lounge called GUSTO. Cool place! Very black leather and chill. Good music, (reasonably) affordable drinks, an air of culture and all-in-all the atmosphere that I most enjoy.
But we couldn't stop there! Next stop was Thirsty Nelly's (TN). Now on the scale of bars, these 2 places were on opposite ends of the spectrum. TN was loud and raucous, filled with Americans and the stale smell of beer on the floor. Definitely a place I would have enjoyed if I were still in my college days. Gosh, if this statement isn't proof enough that I'm getting old!!
Overall, I had a really good time despite my initial reluctance to "go out" (just not a priority for us old married folk).
Now, the following night, we joined friends: Ellen & Matt for a Wine Fest in the city of Deidesheim. Germany is covered in 7 or 8 different wine regions. On a previous blog I mentioned a trip to the Mosel area, this trip introduced us to the area known as the Pfalz wine area.
The city was cute and quaint, the streets were blocked off so that the pedestrians could freely roam the streets (drunk as skunks). The air was filled with the sounds of regional music and folk songs, the smells of German delicacies and people guzzling wine by the gallon. If you are EVER in Germany between April and November, be sure to make plans to attend a wine fest. Any will do! It doesn't matter what size the city or the fest is, it's simply an exceptional time. Especially when you can share it with new friends.
As it was Cousin Shannon's last few nights in town, we thought we'd fulfill her desire (and our standing curiosity) for the K-town night life. We started the evening out at a lounge called GUSTO. Cool place! Very black leather and chill. Good music, (reasonably) affordable drinks, an air of culture and all-in-all the atmosphere that I most enjoy.
But we couldn't stop there! Next stop was Thirsty Nelly's (TN). Now on the scale of bars, these 2 places were on opposite ends of the spectrum. TN was loud and raucous, filled with Americans and the stale smell of beer on the floor. Definitely a place I would have enjoyed if I were still in my college days. Gosh, if this statement isn't proof enough that I'm getting old!!
Overall, I had a really good time despite my initial reluctance to "go out" (just not a priority for us old married folk).
Now, the following night, we joined friends: Ellen & Matt for a Wine Fest in the city of Deidesheim. Germany is covered in 7 or 8 different wine regions. On a previous blog I mentioned a trip to the Mosel area, this trip introduced us to the area known as the Pfalz wine area.
The city was cute and quaint, the streets were blocked off so that the pedestrians could freely roam the streets (drunk as skunks). The air was filled with the sounds of regional music and folk songs, the smells of German delicacies and people guzzling wine by the gallon. If you are EVER in Germany between April and November, be sure to make plans to attend a wine fest. Any will do! It doesn't matter what size the city or the fest is, it's simply an exceptional time. Especially when you can share it with new friends.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I’m Bored…lets go to Belgium!
Stephen's cousin Shannon is here visiting! She arrived on Sat. Aug 9. So that afternoon Stephen and I headed over to Patty's house to meet and greet her.
As we all were talking, Patty (Stephen's Sister) mentioned that there was an Antique market taking place the following day. She suggested that we go up and check it out. It was located in Tongeren Belgium.
I said, "well what the heck, let's go tonight, then we can be there and back with plenty of time." Then Patty suggested that we hit Cologne on the way home on Sunday.
So there it was…we were bored and making plans to go to a different country!
We booked a hotel room, ran home and put an overnight bag together and then we were off.
Just 2 hours later, we arrived at our hotel in Liege Belgium (30 min from our destination).
The next morning we checked out early and headed off to the market.
It was cold and raining…relentlessly. We traipsed thru the streets and in and out of stores. Ideally, Stephen and I were looking for a wardrobe (they're called shrunks here). Alas, we found nothing that we loved AND that was in our price range. As the morning of antiquing in the rain was winding down, no one had purchased anything. We couldn't leave with no treasure to show for our adventure!
Fortunately, I had seen something early in the day that had caught my eye. It was a metal (silver brass perhaps) clarinet that was reverse handed. What the heck does that mean? Well, usually a clarinet is played w/ the Left hand on top and right on bottom, this one was reversed! I didn't even know such thing existed.
I had left it behind the first time because 1) it was a bit expensive (marked at 70 Euro = ~$100) and 2) it was still early in the day. Well I decided that if I could talk the guy down, I'd get it. However, I wouldn't spend more than 45 euro ($70). In the end he wouldn't go any lower than 50 euro (even though I walked away) but I just couldn't leave it behind. So I took one for the team and scored a, what seems to be, very rare piece.
I can find NO information on the instrument! As far as I've gotten is it is probably from the 30's and was used in jazz bands. There are no distinguishing marks or maker's stamp and NO ONE has info about a reverse handed horn! So, I'm thinking I've either got a MAJOR dud, or maybe I've really scored some treasure.
Maybe someday I'll have it appraised.
On the way home from Tongeren, we skirted through Cologne Germany. We stopped for lunch and a tour of the Dom (the gothic style cathedral that stands in the center of the city). We then enjoyed ice cream/cappuccinos at a café and then hit the road for K-Town. What a great weekend! Spontaneity rocks!!
As we all were talking, Patty (Stephen's Sister) mentioned that there was an Antique market taking place the following day. She suggested that we go up and check it out. It was located in Tongeren Belgium.
I said, "well what the heck, let's go tonight, then we can be there and back with plenty of time." Then Patty suggested that we hit Cologne on the way home on Sunday.
So there it was…we were bored and making plans to go to a different country!
We booked a hotel room, ran home and put an overnight bag together and then we were off.
Just 2 hours later, we arrived at our hotel in Liege Belgium (30 min from our destination).
The next morning we checked out early and headed off to the market.
It was cold and raining…relentlessly. We traipsed thru the streets and in and out of stores. Ideally, Stephen and I were looking for a wardrobe (they're called shrunks here). Alas, we found nothing that we loved AND that was in our price range. As the morning of antiquing in the rain was winding down, no one had purchased anything. We couldn't leave with no treasure to show for our adventure!
Fortunately, I had seen something early in the day that had caught my eye. It was a metal (silver brass perhaps) clarinet that was reverse handed. What the heck does that mean? Well, usually a clarinet is played w/ the Left hand on top and right on bottom, this one was reversed! I didn't even know such thing existed.
I had left it behind the first time because 1) it was a bit expensive (marked at 70 Euro = ~$100) and 2) it was still early in the day. Well I decided that if I could talk the guy down, I'd get it. However, I wouldn't spend more than 45 euro ($70). In the end he wouldn't go any lower than 50 euro (even though I walked away) but I just couldn't leave it behind. So I took one for the team and scored a, what seems to be, very rare piece.
I can find NO information on the instrument! As far as I've gotten is it is probably from the 30's and was used in jazz bands. There are no distinguishing marks or maker's stamp and NO ONE has info about a reverse handed horn! So, I'm thinking I've either got a MAJOR dud, or maybe I've really scored some treasure.
Maybe someday I'll have it appraised.
On the way home from Tongeren, we skirted through Cologne Germany. We stopped for lunch and a tour of the Dom (the gothic style cathedral that stands in the center of the city). We then enjoyed ice cream/cappuccinos at a café and then hit the road for K-Town. What a great weekend! Spontaneity rocks!!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Bernkastel-Cues Germany
Stephen and I finally took a weekend trip!
Again, it was thwarted on our first try (we originally signed up for a camping trip that got canceled due to lack of interest … that sounds familiar). But we decided to keep looking and I found a USO Bus Tour that took us to Bernkastel Germany.
Bernkastel is a small city that is joined by a bridge to another small city, Cues. So, it's called Bernkastel-Cues. It's nestled in the valleys of the Mosel River and wine country. The day was beautiful! Sunny and clear, and low 70s. The bus trip took a little more than an hour but the views were breath taking. As we neared the river valley, the hills seemed to climb around us, and then the vinyards started popping up.
You can't even imagine the steepness of these hills! The lush greenness was everywhere.
When we arrived in Bernkastel, the tour guide gave us a quick 30 min. introduction to the city. We walked around the squares, in the oldest church and thru some neighbor hood/shopping areas. Then we were left to roam for about 2 hrs.
Stephen headed the opposite direction as the group, to heck if we were going to get caught up with the rest of those Americans! We walked around, window shopping for a while and then stopped at a Café where we enjoyed cappuccinos on the outdoor patio. We then continued our walking and shopping and in fact, I even picked up a small gift for my best friend who would be celebrating her birthday in a couple weeks.
Near the end of our 2 hours, we sat under a tree overlooking the Mosel River and nibbled on sandwiches. We didn't want to eat a full lunch, because we were next headed off to a winery where we would be served lunch and get to taste wine!
We all got back on the bus at about 1pm and we took a short ride out of the city and into the hills. We arrived at the Rosenberg winery. The owner, the grandson of the founder, was delightful! Friendly and funny and very serious about his business.
He served us 13 samples of his wines…multiply that by 2-3 oz per taste…and you quickly add up to a bunch of drunk-ass Americans! Who then had a hard time taking Herr Rosenberg's business seriously.
Needless to say, the bus ride home was lively and far more festive than the bus ride to Bernkastel.
In the end, Stephen and I ended up taking 18 bottles of wine home! A nice starter for our wine collection.
Again, it was thwarted on our first try (we originally signed up for a camping trip that got canceled due to lack of interest … that sounds familiar). But we decided to keep looking and I found a USO Bus Tour that took us to Bernkastel Germany.
Bernkastel is a small city that is joined by a bridge to another small city, Cues. So, it's called Bernkastel-Cues. It's nestled in the valleys of the Mosel River and wine country. The day was beautiful! Sunny and clear, and low 70s. The bus trip took a little more than an hour but the views were breath taking. As we neared the river valley, the hills seemed to climb around us, and then the vinyards started popping up.
You can't even imagine the steepness of these hills! The lush greenness was everywhere.
When we arrived in Bernkastel, the tour guide gave us a quick 30 min. introduction to the city. We walked around the squares, in the oldest church and thru some neighbor hood/shopping areas. Then we were left to roam for about 2 hrs.
Stephen headed the opposite direction as the group, to heck if we were going to get caught up with the rest of those Americans! We walked around, window shopping for a while and then stopped at a Café where we enjoyed cappuccinos on the outdoor patio. We then continued our walking and shopping and in fact, I even picked up a small gift for my best friend who would be celebrating her birthday in a couple weeks.
Near the end of our 2 hours, we sat under a tree overlooking the Mosel River and nibbled on sandwiches. We didn't want to eat a full lunch, because we were next headed off to a winery where we would be served lunch and get to taste wine!
We all got back on the bus at about 1pm and we took a short ride out of the city and into the hills. We arrived at the Rosenberg winery. The owner, the grandson of the founder, was delightful! Friendly and funny and very serious about his business.
He served us 13 samples of his wines…multiply that by 2-3 oz per taste…and you quickly add up to a bunch of drunk-ass Americans! Who then had a hard time taking Herr Rosenberg's business seriously.
Needless to say, the bus ride home was lively and far more festive than the bus ride to Bernkastel.
In the end, Stephen and I ended up taking 18 bottles of wine home! A nice starter for our wine collection.
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