“As long as humanity can still build fairy-castle towns, they deserve a smidgen of faith” – Old Sean
A Weekend Visiting Bruges
My company recently sent me to Antwerp before giving me an off day on my extended journey though Europe.
Therefore, I had a full “vacation day.” Based on the advice of my friend Kat from China, I decided to spend some time in Bruges.
Since this was my “off” day, my journey was a personal trip. I hopped on a train out of Antwerp and wandered toward Bruges, expecting a relaxing day in a beautiful little town.
My “vacation days” are a little odd. I’m allowed one day a week where I’m not actively “working.” These off days stack up over time and it creates padding in my transit schedule when going from place to place. I’m also allowed one extra non-travel day per week for “full-paperwork-time.” These hours are spent editing photos, writing reports, attending meetings, coordinating with my supervisor and handing other file-work.
Generally, I try to stack my off-days and paperwork-days together in a single area to stave off burnout.
In this case, visiting Bruges was purely recreational.
However, my supervisor hinted that I could turn it into another travel brochure for the company if I was so inclined.
I was tempted, but also woozy and tired from nonstop effort. Traveling Europe is always overwhelming. Traveling at speed is a secondary trial compounded.
In Bruges
Originally, I learned about Bruges from an old move called “In Bruges” year ago. However, I wouldn’t have recalled it without my friend Kat mentioning it during a video chat.
The movie follows the story of two dysfunctional hitmen who go on vacation to Bruges as a final joyful experience before one of the hitmen is assigned to kill the other for an accidental but devastating transgression.
Being far from Boy Scouts, the men curse colorfully and frequently. But I also remember the movie referring to Bruges (in somewhat dark irony) as “A Fairy Tale Town.”
Again, in this quote, I’m omitting a plethora of curses and good, old, accented anger.
But the film’s observations had merit. I got to visit a beautiful little town.
A Tour of Bruges
There were cobblestoned roads, narrow, charming houses coated in ivy, and solid, polygon church towers glinting above the city.
The city also held a wealth of modern artworks (including a plastic-basket whale) and many more traditional statues.
The center of the city had a borderline-shameful number of fine bars, calm canals, a quaint sheep park, other traditional parks and several elegant (though undoubtedly aggressive) swans sealing the scenic stamp-of-approval.
Honestly, I didn’t do much in Bruges. I most enjoyed the city, took long strolls, sneezed a lot (my allergies are criminal) and fell apart emotionally whenever dogs wagged over for pets and attention.
Back to Work
As mentioned before, my time in Bruges was largely vacation time. I was due back on the road the following morning. I wandered the town more or less aimlessly. It was only later, once I was back at the train station, I looked back at the places I visited.
For the record, the places I enjoyed included a bar hooked up to the The Halve Maan Brewery Beer Pipeline, the Lumina Domestica, The Basilica of the Holy Blood (Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed), Burg Square, the Diamantmuseum (Diamond Museum), the St. Salvator’s Cathedral and The Ramparts surrounding the city.
My next destination will be Brussels. I’ve never been to the Netherlands before, so this leg of the journey has proved illuminating.
Until next time,
Best regards and excellent trails,
Old Sean
Written June 16th 2018
Read more about visiting Bruges and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Destination Information.
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