Guest Post - Denny and Cathy

We are having a fabulous time!  Our adventure began in Chicago where I mistakenly entered the Men's restroom.  While I was trying to figure out why a man was washing his hands at the sink in the women's bathroom, another guy came around the corner.  Big oops!  I must have had a funny look on my face because a lady outside the men's rest room was cracking up when I turned around and came out.  She pointed across to the ladies!  And that was in America...made me wonder how well I was going to do in a foreign country!

The flight was uneventful except for a little turbulance.  We stayed up all day Sunday and went to Brussels.  Loved the city.  The Christmas lights and light show was awesome! 

They had a cool Christmas market, skating rink, etc.  We loved the merry-go-rounds - you just had to see it to believe it.  Instead of horses, it had an ostrich, a giant ant, a balloon, a plane, a boat, and many unusual things.  The one that was the neatest was a space capsule that went up and out the top of the carousel.  It was a hoot!  Up up and away!!! 

 

We tried the hot spiced wine - it was okay, but we didn't get a second one!

Monday Matt went to work and we went to Bruges.  We had the best time there.  The city is awesome.  We went to their Christmas market - rode in a horse drawn carriage that had a German radio announcer interviewing the driver as he narrated what we were seeing.  She interviewed us at the end of the ride.  She said she is from Cologne Germany but is with an American and knows exactly where Columbus is - he is from there.  It's a small world afterall!!!  We met Matt in Gent for dinner.  We went to an all you can eye ribs place.  They were delicious!  Matt took us to two pubs so we could see what they were like.  The first you just have to experience - it is down a back alley - you push aside a blanket to get inside and then you duck to avoid hitting your head.  It probably only seats a dozen or so people.  It has stuff everywhere...and I mean stuff.  We took pictures just to give you an idea....very unique and very very unusual!  We went to another a tried a genever - interesting indeed! 

Tuesday and Wednesday we spent in Amsterdam.  Our favorite part was the Van Gogh museum - the artwork was amazing!  We also enjoyed the Flower Market...you should have seen all of the tulip bulbs.  If it wasn't for going through customs...we would've bought some!  We saw a demonstration last night - lots of police everywhere.  The people were playing music - yelling things, waving torches and signs - apparently it was well orchestrated - everyone dispersed as soon as it was over.  Ok, I admit it - we did walk through the red light district to see what it was about.  If you ask us what we thought, I think we'd give you different answers! The buildings and canals were very cool. 

Tomorrow we are going to Cologne, Germany - more Christmas markets - they actually have 7 Christmas markets!!!  Hoping to buy stuff tomorrow.  Matt is going to London with us Friday-Sat-Sun.  Can't wait for that!  The trip has been awesome.  Here's a few things I've noticed though:  scarves and boots are in, as are sweater dresses and skirts, the girls are taller than tall, you definitely need warm coats, hats and gloves here...and an umbrella is a must!  Oh yeah, the boots are high heeled and up to their knees.  The girls wear opaque tights and boots....brrr.

Oh yeah, we're learning lots of history here and the architecture of the buildings is amazing.  Have visited some churches.  The next few days should be interesting with Matt!  We have to wake up in 5 hours, Matthew is forcing us to keep up with him! He says "When in Rome." - even though we aren't in Rome, but closer than in Ohio!! :-)