We were going to go straight from Paris to Amsterdam. As the train crossed into Belgium, the countryside changed and we were beginning to see farm land, canals, windmills and detached housing. Bruges, Belgium was right smack bang in the middle of our journey. Hey, why not stop here and we are so glad we did. What a beautiful small, clean medieval city. It was a far change from the hustle and bustle of Paris and no graffiti! Chocolate, lace and Belgian beer, what more could you want. The sun was starting to set as we had the most amazing fries in the city square. This was the thing to do in Bruges as advised by Amy, Paige and Jaimee when they were here several years ago. A group of young schoolboys approached us with their school project. They had to film a list of tasks and the task they asked us to perform was to kiss for one minute. We gladly obliged. So don’t be surprised if one day you come across this old couple having a pash in Bruges Central Square on YouTube.

Yes Jaimee, it was like we were on the set of Pleasantville. It was hard to imagine that back in medieval times beheadings took place in this square. We didn’t take the girls up on their all night partying option though.

Ruthie wasn’t feeling 100% the next day so off I went with the washing to the laundromat. It was Valentines Day so maybe that was a win win for both of us. In the laundromat I met an 84 year old local woman and to my surprise I was able to recall a little Dutch. The official language in Belgium is several different dialects of Dutch. Together with that and hand gestures, we were able to have a conversation which quickly passed the washing time. It may have only been 3 degrees as I walked home but the sun was out and I was high on life.

Some more sightseeing and an early dinner in an eatery with the sun shining was just what the doctor ordered. Our view was onto a large public area and I don’t know if it was because it was Valentine’s Day or not but many couples of all ages and nationalities were strolling by, either arm in arm or holding hands. This city is so chilled.