Time Travel in Brugges....

Brugges ( pronounced Broo-jze, but spelt in three different ways in differing languages ) was not on my radar at all. Indeed I had not heard of it at all. And was a little zapped when I came to know that it was amongst the most touristed places in Europe – 3 million a year, I read somewhere! That is quite a bit. Well, it was on Richa’s agenda, and a very important part of it a that. So that is where comes into my agenda.

The agenda for Brussels, made possible by the study visit to the EU headquarters and the NATO office was a little iffy – after the official part of the programme got over on a late Friday evening. The weather forecast had not been too promising – cold and rain were what had been forecast. Amsterdam was contemplated – and dropped finally. It would have been too hectic, and not doing justice to either Belgium or Amsterdam. The ladies headed off to Amsterdam. The men stayed on.

A little bit on Belgium: had read about it being a failed nation-state, and a seminar had shed some light on that. Flemish, Flanders, French – and some Dutch all jumbled in added to the chaos. Howard tipped us off that it is safer sticking to English: the Flemish are not too happy being chatted up in French ( not that I was going to attempt it at all!).

Anyway, that Saturday we decided to head off to Brugges ( B). A short but cold walk to the Brussels Central station ( there at least major termini in the city), armed with the town maps picked up at the hostel ( and an outstanding, user friendly map come highlights booklet, rather innovatively put together with more than a dash of humour). The return tickets were for 12.80 Euros, a half price offer for the weekend. Happy with it. The trains are silent, efficient – but the stations are not really squeaky clean like the English stations. But they do have a fairly exciting graffiti culture.

B station did not give a flavour of what we were to expect, apart from the train emptying out with tourists. The busy road crossed, and suddenly one was time travelling…..it is indeed maintained very well as tourist city. In parts corny (the horse carts trotting around town, with their drivers on the mobile!), but it just fits in so well. There is a fair bit of history, but more than take it too seriously, the charm is in just soaking in the atmosphere….sitting at the foot of the belfry, watching the world and having the chimes in the background!

With cobbled streets, pedestrian bridges , the supermarkets hidden away from public view ( it makes for hugely inexpensive food sourcing!), B manages to re-create very well what it sets out to do. The youngsters map was a boon- and the tips priceless. Engaging old style eateries, hidden away beer bars with happy hours at just Euro 1 – places which are really there for the locals. Quiet, relaxed charming….something I’ll be very happy with!

Is there a Mc Donalds there? Yes, but it is best to ignore where it is….

Won’t write more…..the summers will have long days, but a lot of tourists. The days are shorter, but fewer tourists..enjoy the after dark time and the lighting around town!