Belgium

Even though this trip was so long ago, I wouldn't feel right letting one place slip just because I wasn't on the ball enough to document it on time - this blog is as much of a scrapbook to help us remember our experiences as it is a way to keep in touch with everyone. So here goes:
We spent our June Bank Holiday in Bruges and Brussels - probably the most popular places to visit in Belgium. In hindsight, I wish we'd had longer to see a little more off-the-beaten path places, even though they were both great towns. The above picture is a major canal in Bruges (relatively speaking - it's not a huge town). The clock tower has over 300 steps, and I climbed every one of them!
The last time I was in Belgium I was sixteen years old - on my first trip to Europe with my family. What was amazing was how little the area had changed. I remember specific landmarks and photographs I had taken with my family the last time we were there! Very surreal - now at 28, it was odd to reflect on the differences between teenage Megan and 20-something Megan - who knows what the next decade will bring?
Poor Nate was sick for the first day in Bruges, so I did most of my sightseeing alone. At least we had a great B&B for him to rest in. I spent the day exploring the clock tower (an impressive feat - those of you who know my fear of heights will understand!), and checking out the Flemish art museum. The museum had another painting of Bosch's, a rather nutty artist whose work I've begun to recognize! I also saw a church that contains the only Michelangelo sculpture to leave Italy during the sculptor's lifetime. Wish I'd taken a better picture of it - it's the first Michelangelo I've ever seen!


With Nate back in good health, we managed to squeeze in a canal cruise on our last day, and munched on some delicious handmade chocolates at the cute place in the picture above. In Brussels, we took pictures of the Mannekin-Pis, which I think is a bit overrated, then had time for a long dinner on the Grand Place - a major square with breathtaking architecture.
I think Belgium is often overlooked when considering a trip to Europe, but it is such a beautiful and interesting area - and it was perfect for a short Bank Holiday. Maybe some day I'll be able to give it more of the time it deserves - then again, I think we have 20 more countries on our list that we're not even getting to while we're here, and the more research we do, the more places we want to visit. C'est la vie!

Back in Business (for now)

We're finally back in Dublin, although our insane summer hasn't slowed down. We're gearing up for a visit from Nate's brother in less than 48 hours - a trip that was planned only two weeks ago. Our friend Matt is visiting at the same time for the weekend - not sure if Dublin's ready for these two!
On a more serious note: With all of the turmoil in the world right now, it feels flippant to be writing about our trivial experiences over here. We ooh and aah about this or that monument or art museum, while so many people are suffering. We left Athens on the same day that Israel began its big retaliation, and now people are being evacuated to both Greece and Cyprus. I was just thinking about how lucky we were with the timing - then I remembered the friend we just visited, and I wonder how his family is doing back in Cyprus. What are they experiencing right now? It puts things in perspective.
I'll get back to chronicling more of our trips soon - I just needed to get my thoughts out.