F*ckin' BRUGES - April 26

"If I grew up on a farm and was retarded, I would think Bruges is nice. But I didn't, so it isn't." - Ray (Colin Farrell) In Bruges

Regardless of what the famous movie may say, Bruges is a beautiful city. Definitely touristy, but it is pretty enough that you don't even have to see the sights to appreciate it. Narrow cobblestone streets and rows and rows of medival and renaissance buildings hugging the canals. Just... breath taking.

My hostel this time round was LEAPS AND BOUNDS better than the last [and not only because they had 1 euro beers, although it certainly helped]. It was full of travellers who just wanted to get to know people, as well as lockers that had outlets inside of them os you could charge your stuff in safety. Also, a slightly more elaborate breakfast with DRIP coffee. Not instant. Huzzah! Although I didn't find out what breakfast was like until the second day, as the first night I met 2 American brothers from northern Maine. We shared a few brew and discussed the difference between the States and Canada before going to this little bar called T'Poatersgat. The only thing that marks it is a cellar door with a waiter painted in single line across it. It totally looks like you'll get stabbed from the entrance, but once you get inside it was AMAZING. Dried hops along the support arches. A steady soundtrack of Motown music. Beer for 2.50. Fooseball and darts. I had my ass handed to me in Foosball, and then we went to Simon Stevin Plein with some cans of Bush and drank in the square til 4 am. Needless to say I slept in a little the next day and missed the cut off for breakfast.

I stopped in a little cafe called Li-o-Lait where I had the most elabortate long black served to me. the coffee, with little letter cookies (which I have since learned are called nic-nacs}, a fluffy pink marshmellow, and the tiniest pitcher of milk. It was exactly what I needed to rechardge my battery (sic: cure my hangover). I spent the rest of the afternoon climbing the famous Belfry and wandering the streets of Bruges. I came across a cathdral with an art installation taking up the entire inside, as well as a nunnery where the internal courtyard was completely in bloom with daffodils.

At breakfast the next morning I met another Canadian gril named Danielle who was also going on to Amsterdam that day. We shared one more cup of coffee and caught the train together. It was nice to have company while navigating the European rail lines together.

Things I learned today:
-Belgians must have a rampant diabetes problem. Breakfast consists entirely of chocolate. Chocolate flakes, chocolate spread or sprinkles on thier toast, nesquik...
-Belgium also has supermarkets that make vegetarian pepper salami! Yay train sammiches!
-you do not get nearly as bad of hangover from belgian beer as you do from Jamesons.