EUROPE ADVENTURE: Brugge, Belgium Part 1

While my parents were visiting us, Billy took some time off work and we went to Brugge, Belgium. I beautiful town 6 miles from the Belgium coast. It had the canals all over the town just like their neighbors from the Netherlands, just north of them. Most everyone spoke English, along with German, French and their native language, Flemish.

We were very fortunate to find a lovely apartment that accommodated all of us and to find one on their busiest time of year! When we were planning our trip, we had no clue that they had Europe's largest holy celebrations during our stay. Ascension Day (when Jesus ascended to heaven) the town has a wonderful parade of the Holy Blood.

Legend has it that after the Crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea wiped blood from the body of Christ and preserved the cloth. The relic remained in the Holy Land until the Second Crusade, when the King of Jerusalem Baldwin III gave it to his brother-in-law, Count of Flanders Diederik van de Elzas. The count arrived with it in Bruges on April 7, 1150 and placed it in a chapel he had built on Burg Square.

I will post about the parade in my next blog. Here's the pictures of Brugge. It was very cold and rainy our whole stay. We layered as much as we could to stay warm. Everyone from there said it was their coldest May......about 40's-50's. Burrrr! Would have love some warm sun.

Fresh fruit in a metal wreath......I thought it was pretty clever

Michealangelo's Madonna

Dog looking out the window at the canal

Belgium chocolates!!

one of the four gates to the inner city

I loved all the details and architecture

Buzz lightyear and pony joined us on our trip

Ever wondered how they make lace? It was incredible seeing them in action. I am still amazed on all the spindles of tread and the weaving it using millions of straight pins. It is amazing! Don't think I could ever have that talent.