Waffles and Chocolate

Antwerp, Belgium

After leaving Scandinavia and we were greeted with the sun shining and warmer temperatures, everything felt so much better.  We no longer needed our winter boots or jackets and we could even do away with scarves and gloves too.  It almost felt like summer compared to the single digit temperatures and negative wind chills that we just came from.  Oh!  I almost forgot to mention that we even have about three more hours of sunlight here! Now, we are really spoiled. 

If the weather wasn’t enough for you, then I am sure all the chocolate and waffle stands around every corner will brighten your mood. 

It was quite fitting that for Valentine’s Day and my birthday, we were in the sweetest place on earth; just because I love chocolate so much. 

Yes, you could say I treated myself.  I had so many sweets from pastries to gummy candies and of course the World Famous Belgium Chocolate.  But that wasn’t all, I had surprise flowers for my make-up spot at the arena, I was greeted with more flowers for the hotel room, and even more chocolates.  I was more than happy!  Not to mention, we had a few days off to take two side trips. 

We were off to Bruges, Belgium one day and Amsterdam, Netherlands the next.  Bruges was slightly closer and the train ride was absolutely beautiful.  Maybe it was just the weather and maybe it was just because I love seeing the countryside over here.  Not only, does it remind me of home, but it also puts my mind at peace with the open land.  It gives you a chance to breath and relax; no more hustle and bustle of the inner city.  And that was just what we needed; a chance to breathe and soak in the sun.

This city was so full of character.  There were horse and carriage rides, cobble stone streets, boat rides through the canals, and the old buildings and their architecture were stunning.  We made sure to hike up the 366 stairs to the top of the bell tower to overlook the city, we made it to the market square, witness the Blood Church, and even took a boat ride.  But this journey was not complete without a stop in the candy store and chocolates just in time for the bus ride home.     

It was a quick sleep and back out the door at sunrise.  We were off to Amsterdam this time with a slightly longer train ride.  However, there was a different feeling going here.  It wasn’t peaceful like yesterday, instead it was a rather large tourist attraction city.  From the “I AMsterdam” sign to the Van Gogh museum and the Ann Frank house to just walking along the canals, the crowds swarmed to each place.

And while we walked our legs off and saw as many sights as we could see, it was time for us to take a step back into reality. 

Along the way, we were greeted with amazing audiences.  It was such a pleasant surprise and some of the loudest cheering that we have heard in a very long time.  Hoping for the same results next week, we headed to the capital; Brussels, Belgium.