bruges

we made it to bruges, after 4 train connections -through hertagobosch, antwerp, and ghent - and 5 hours on the road. we got here late afternoon and walked around town. the was a huge carnival going on, rather obnoxious for such an otherwise serene and low-key town. then we stumbled onto a neighborhood festival with live music, beer, and brats. the perfect welcome to belgium :) although, it was kinda surreal when the cover band started playing melissa etheridge songs and other american faves, like "kids in america". the crowd was singing along - "we're da keeds een ah-meh-lee-kah!"

we walked along the canal that cuts through town. there is also one surrounding the city, like a moat. along the eastern arc, we found several windmills - retired, but still cool! our hotel is Passage, a really old, creepy building. in fact, after dinner at the restaurant in our hotel, i went out with camera and tripod back to the belfry in the center of town to get some night shots. then i ventured onto a quieter side street, and it got really creepy because all around me was dead silence. not a thing moved or made a sound, and only once in a while did a couple appear, on a "late" stroll. i didn't linger, feeling the habitual caution take over and advise me not to be out on an empty street at night, though it's probably the safest place in the world.

leaving for paris now...