Mussels in Brussels

With all due respect to Jean-Claude VanDamme...

Spent a great day in Brussels. Who knew what an amazing city this was/is? Checked in early at a great hotel; Manos Premier. Upgraded me to a suite with its own private balcony. This must be a 5 star hotel. The only downside is that it is a brisk 20 minute walk to get downtown. But there are many sites along the way.

First stop was the church (Notre-Dame). Church was started 600 years ago, but finshed 300 years ago. We think we have it bad for the Big Dig, try 300 years of construction.

Next stop was Grand Place. One of those places that stop you dead in your tracks. It a a wonderful old square built 500 years ago, and rebuilt after the french destroyed it in the 1700's.

Next, I had my obligatory Mussels in Brussels. Moulet Freites (Muscles and Fries) is the best known dish here in Brussels. It was great. I snapped a picture of the next set of victims. After lunch I made my way to the St. Hubert Shopping gallery. Very high end expensinve stuff. Sorry John, I didn't get anything.

Brussels has a fun side to it. There are large billboard size cartoon spread around the city. They just LOVE cartoons. Another quirky item is Manneken-Pis. This is a statue of a boy taking a piss and for some reason, this has become the symbol of Brussels.

Next, I headed back to the hotel, power nap, and then off to the far end of the city. Sorry this part was without camera. I saw the Royal Gardens and Royal Palace, as well as the new Arts theater.

Nice run this Tuesday morning in the rain. Ran to the royal gardens and the royal palace. Map of my run:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D8309776&ie=UTF8&z=14




I went out to dinner by the Grand Place, at a place that Jacques recommended. A very good dinner and fun place at La Roue d'Or.Spent a good time at dinner talking with a NYC couple that is returning from 2 months in India. He was very early 20's Johnnie Depp looking. Very easy on the eyes. Damn I missed the camera again.





After dinner (and a double scoop ice cream cone) I went back to Grand Place to see the buildings at night. All the building are lit up, words can not do it justice. Suffice it to say...there were 1000 people laying down in the square looking up at the buildings. So I joined them. Right next to me two guys were making out pretty seriously, and I wanted to note thet BELGIUM was the first country to allow gay marriage. Very gay friendly here. I stopped by a bar called Homo Erectus for a coke. Funny guys at the bar. Nice walk home, and posting before I go to bed.





The pictures I did take:


http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=566223002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

In Bruges

I could not help myself from the Title above. If you have not seen the movie "In Bruges" please rent it now. It is funny, full of action, and the main reason why I decided to spend 2 days in Bruges, Belgium. Bruges is alsoo spelled Brugge and Brugges. Not sure why it gets so many spellings...



This was the capital of the world several centuries ago. Today they specialize in chocolate, lace and beer. I'll stick to the chocolate.



The city is a lot like Venice with canals everywhere. I spent a good deal of time wealking around the city and then took a canal ride. Everwhere you turn is a postcard setting.



Very interesting museum, the Church of the Holy Blood. This has a container that was fought for in the Middle Ages. The container supposedly has two drops of Christ's blood. As many people have died for this chalise, I personally think a DNA test is in order. There is a priest whos job it is is to wipe down and polish the container as each person touches it and says a prayer. He must have to polish it 4000-5000 times a day. That is more polishing than I would do in a lifetime. OK, 300 lifetimes..




Sunday morning I ws the first to climb to the top of the Belfry in the clock tower. My hotel room looks out at the tower, and I was inspired to climb it. Only about 500 stairs. You use the same stair case on the way down as up. The main part of the building is 600 years old. On my way down everyone was asking if this was the only staircase.... Not so bright... So I told them they were allowed to take the elevator on the way down. About 50% of the people thought I was serious. Sarah's flag was placed in the Belfry.

There is a Madonna by Michelangelo here as well. One of his few works that is outside of Italy.




Link to Bruges pictures:

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=551587002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Amsterdam

I woke up early this morning and went for a nice run. This is the first of Sarah's flags. I took this picture and then planted the flag by the windmill.

After my run, Gillbert and I took the train into Amsterdam. This is such an amazing city. It is amazingly liberal, maybe even too liberal???

Spent a great afternoon at my favorite museum, the Van Gogh museum. The musuem does justice to its amazing namesake. Sorry, I forgot my camera on this part of the day, so you will just have to go visit the museum yourself.

Nice dinner at an Italian restaurant across the street from the hotel.

Early to Brugge tomorrow, so I am not staying out late. Not many pictures today but enjoy:

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=548804002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

If you are curious where I ran today, check out this map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D8280425&ie=UTF8&ll=52.666701,5.098257&spn=0.006663,0.027466&z=15

A day at the beach and a great Dutch dinner

Jos, Gilbert and I went to Texel today. This is in the North West part of the country. It is a rather small island reached by Ferry. The island is known for sheep and cheese. While I did not try the cheese i spent a good part of the day dodging sheep while I bicycled around the island. After a few morning clouds the day turned fantastic. It was a little chilly, but I my face got burned.

We probably biked about 40K throughout the day. The beach was great, as well as the scenery along the way. Had a great lunch down by the water.

We then went to Alex and Jenneke's for a traditional Dutch dinner. The food was FANTASTIC, all cooked by Jenneke. The dinner is traditioanlly cooked in the winter, so Jenneke had to find some ingrediants that were out of season. Everything was great. I guess I can't give my Dutch frineds as much grief now forr their culoinary skills.

Back at Jos and Gilbert's for the night and off to Amsterdam tomorrow.

Pictures here:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=542858002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Blokker, Hoorn, and Peking Duck

I spent a glorious day with Gilbert today in Blokker and Hoorn. I went for a 2 mile run in the morning past the local windmill. Gilbert and I then rode into Blokker on bicycles. I almost pushed him into a bush as I was re-learning how to handle my bike. The weather was perfect. Gilbert and I spent the day laughing and walking around town.

Some highlights... The Westfries Museum, a nice lunch with a Goat Cheese and Honey sandwich, and a fantastic Peking Duck dinner with Jos and Gilbert. We spent a good amount of time walking by the water. Everything here is so green.

I have missed Holland over the past 5 years.

See the pictures here:

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=537441002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Day 1 - a great departure

Upgraded to 1st Class. What an amazing plane. I had my own cubicle, large flat screen TV, choice of 30 movies, 50 TV shows, music, documentories... My recliner chair tuens into a totally flat bed with the push of a button. Oh, and why does it seem that I get free drinlks offerred to me all the time since I don't drink!!!!

The food was fantastic. Duck and Crab appetizer, Mahi Mahi dinner and ice cream sundae (caramel topping, whip cream and nuts).

Finishing my movie and about to recline the seat to my totally flat bed. See my pictures here.

http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=535015002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/
The older gentleman named George gave me a ride to the airport. Last picture is of Gilbert, who met me at the airport.

Couldn't sleep so I thought I would write a bit more. I was thinking, what is this all about. Why take 2 months off and travel around the world. Yes, part of it is trying to find myself, part of it is trying to lose myself. I think the biggest part is to try and find some new direction in my life. I need to clear my head, have some fun, and get insprired. Work is so unins[iring for me at the moment. It is too bad, because thhey treat me very well.

Tomorrow I get to run in Holland. At least I won't have to deal with hills.

I had so much fun last weekend, surrounded by friends and family. I was very much in the moment. That is something I need to try and stay with for the next 7 weeks.

So my 1st stop is the only place I have been to before. A few days with 2 of my best friends Jos and Gilbert, to get my head on straight. Well, not straight, but you know what I mean. I am also having a traditional Dutch meal on Thursday at another set of friend's house, Alex and Janneka. Friday I head into Amsterdam for a day at the Van Gogh museum, a meeting, and then a fun club.

Time to try and sleep again.

A Fantastic Birthday Party

It was just a wonderful party last night. 30 of my closest friends and family. John did a wonderful job arranging everything, and Jennifer, Andrea, my Mother, Jos, Gilbert, Bruce and many others pitched in. I was surprised by the tent that John rented for the party, but thank God he did. It kept the lite ,mist away from us, and we embraced the somewhat chilly May night.





The food was great with a theme of food from the different countries that I will be traveling to. Mark did a great job, along with Mom and her meatballs. Jen and Andrea did a great salad and the appetizers.





I'd like to say a special thanks to Mom and Dad for venturing down to Hamden. It was very special to be able to celebrate this day with them. My long lost cousin Dierdre added a lot of spice to the party, as my Dad began reminiscing about his MedSchool days.

Sarah Thomas brought me a great gift along with a great idea. She hand painted all 11 flags for the countries I am visiting. The flags were in great display. I have the flags now packed and I will take a picture of each flag in its country of origin. I will leave the flag in its respective country. This will be known as the Sarah Flag Project!!!

There were so many great friends at the party. I love my friends, and cherish the positive impact they have in my life. Most of them are crazy though!!!





Take a look at the pictures from this link;





http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=518590002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/





2 days to go. I'm beyond excited and have a lot to do. I'll try to post one more before I leave.