Week 1 - Brugge, Belgium

Today we woke up early and headed to Brugge, Belgium.  It was a long 3 hour drive, we went around Brussels.  It was a very uncomfortable drive for the kids because they had to double buckle.  They were very squished, and Ashton didn't like that.

Parking was very hard.  So we had to walk about a 1 1/2 mile down to the town square.  Ashton doesn't like walking, so Dad carried him on his shoulders.

The architecture is awesome in Brugge.  Everything is made of brick, even the cathedrals.  The streets are all cobblestone, and super duper narrow.  There are horse carriages that make a very cool sound on the cobblestone.  It takes you back to the 1800s.  The city was mostly built in the 1400s.  It is famous for lace, chocolate, waffles, canals, a church with Christ's blood in it,  and a church with Michelangelo's Maddona of Brugges.  It is the Michelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime.  In 1972 someone attacked it and so now it is behind bulletproof glass.

There are hundred of chocolate and waffle shops, so of course we had to get some.  We got a 12 euro chocolate box with a mix of chocolates.  They were very delicious!  We also got chocolate Belgium waffles.  We thought the waffle truck back at home was good, but these Belgium waffles are way better.

There were canals in Brugge that were breathtaking.  Brugge looks like Venice with the canals.

All of the kids are going to start collections.  Emilee is going to add to her bookmark collection, Spencer is going to start a postcard collection, Jacob is going to start a keychain collection, and Ashton is going to start a bell collection.

Brugge was breathtaking, and we all loved it.  We recommend it to anyone who goes to Europe!

Be sure to check out all of our photos.  Here is the link: https://plus.google.com/photos/103549940612929148835/albums/5965118149209199121?banner=pwa