SUN, 17 JUL 2022 TRANSFER TO BRUGES, BELGIUM: The train ride itself was uneventful, as expected. I had a layover in Brussels, Belgium to make my connection for Bruges, Belgium. No problem. Plenty of time. After all, this isnt OHare. After I disembarked the first train, I looked at the tote board and found nothing going to Bruges. The line at the information/ticket counter was long enough to take me well past my departure time, and there were no apparent service representatives within sight, so I pursued the next logical option and went to the platform with trains departing at 1652. When I arrived, I showed an attendant my electronic ticket. While he was fumbling about, another customer service person approached and informed me that I was at the International Annex. That made sense as I had arrived from Luxembourg, but I needed to go to the Domestic Annex. And all this while I thought the Schengen Agreement had done away with all that nonsense! As I was passing by the tote board, I looked and learned there was no demarcation whether International Departures or Domestic Departure – just departures! I got to the platform, asked the man who was
about to give the engineer the green flag if the train was destined for Bruges. His affirmation caused me to heave the small suitcase onto the coach and then scurry up the steps with the big suitcase in hand. I made the connector with 12.4 seconds – no, make that 6.5 seconds to spare. Ill put it like this, I hadnt even put my crosshairs on a seat (no assigned seating) when the train started to move! The rest of the trip was uneventful and making my way to a taxi in Bruges was a piece of cake.
The ride to the hotel was uneventful, and the driver spoke very good English. He advised me that I had selected a very nice hotel in an excellent location. I was expected so was quick and easy; however, there is no elevator, ascensor or lift as the case might be. The desk clerk offered to take me to the room and to carry the larger suitcase. Being about 40 years younger than Uncle Larry, I let her! There are few positives for being older, so I take advantage of all my way. By this time, I was hungry
so I asked if there were any dining and headed out for some Belgian cuisine. Three Nights – Boterhuis Hotel, Bruges, Belgium
MON, 18 JUL 2022 TOURISM: My first order of business was the visitor center conveniently located on Market Square, about four blocks from the hotel. The Market Square (Markt) began its life as a marketplace in 958, and a weekly market was held here beginning in 985. Today the large square is ringed by banks and restaurants and is filled with pedestrians and bicyclists. After getting a couple of questions answered and getting a couple of suggestions, I hopped on the City Tour Bruges open air bus and got a tour with an audio narrative outlining the history of Bruges and providing details about some of the major buildings seen on the tour. One of those buildings was Caf Vlissinghe – the oldest continuously running caf (i.e., pub) in Bruges.
The first written record about it is from 1515, and it consists of two joined houses from the late 15th century. Due to renovations and rebuilding, including replacement of the wooden faade with stone, the current structure is largely from the 17th century. Google
Maps put the walking distance at 0.4 flat miles – totally doable for Uncle Larry. Upon arrival, however, I encountered a sign declaring the establishment was closed for annual holiday from 18 Jul until 2 Aug. Had I arrived only one day sooner. Woulda, shoulda, coulda. Disappointing, yes, but I guess even barkeepers need some time off to regenerate. I took a slightly different route back to the Market Square area of Bruges hoping I would happen upon a little Ma & Pa caf. Instead, the area was almost exclusively residential. Back at Market Square, I made my way to a restaurant where I had seen mussels on the menu (when I was a beer only customer) prepared using five different formulas.
