Brugge 2009

Yesterday, Jessica and I went to Belgium with the Smith family. Geoff served most of his mission in Belgium so we got to see some of the cities he served in and the places he lived. It rained all morning as we drove to the various cities were he served. By the time we got to Brugge, our site seeing destination for the day, it had stopped raining but it was still cloudy.

One of the places were Geoff lived.

One of the things I love about Europe is that there are all kinds of old churches and great architecture that is tucked in with all the other building around. You are driving down a seemingly normal business street and all the sudden there is a beautiful church or castle.

The Smith family planning our day in Brugge. (Garrett is off taking pictures around the town square.)
Garrett, Becca, Jessica and Jamie outside a Choclatier looking at all the scrumptious chocolates.

Peggy is ready to see the sites.
It was so wonderful to get to see a beautiful city with a great friend!

This is probably the only place in Bruges where you don't have to pay to see a famous and rare piece of artwork. The marble statue of Madonna by Michelangelo at the right wing of the Church of Our Lady. The Madonna is the only Michelangelo sculpture that can be found in Benelux and the only artwork that has left Italy when the artist was alive. Originally made for the cathedral of Sienna, it was later bought by two merchants from Bruges (Jan and Alexander Moscroen) who apparently had lots of spare change.


The Cathedral also had beautiful stained glass windows, an amazingly intricately carved wooden dais and beautiful arched ceilings.

This lacemaker was sitting in the doorway of her home working with her bobbins and making beautifully delicate lace. She sold a few small items there from her home.
You have just got to love the canals of Belgium and Holland. They add such a romantic ambiance to the area. We didn't take a boat ride this year but we recalled with fond memories the sites and experience we had last year when Ivan was our tourguide and we did the canal tour.

The Smith family at the canal. So cute.

Yeah for mothers and daughters and time spent together. We had a wonderful day!