Author: leanagallagher

Bicycles, bicycles, bicycles. First it seems totally crazy, then it seems totally cool! Bicycles are the religion of Amsterdam.The people are friendly, open and BEAUTIFUL. Look at this great gaggle of girls we caught on the street As a friend once said, “I love blondes, no matter what their hair color is”.We’re staying at a cool hotel, thanks to Cathy and Phil Angellis. Staff is fab, and we all feel about 10 years younger.We took a magnificent dinner cruise on a 100 year old boat. Candles, fabulous food and the sun setting on a tour around the canals. Perfect night for all of us.

Chocolate is the religion of Brussels. Families are divided about which chocolatier is better. We liked all of them.

A walk around the city proved Bethany’s adage, “Brussels is the Cleveland of Europe”. It is a nice city, but it’s a little less than spectacular. The basilica is closed, the palace is closed, the museums are tired…. However, the rooms and staff at Hotel Amigo were splendid.

Front desk, concierge, bellmen, all exquisitely trained and eternally delightful.

The Museum of Musical Instruments had a system failure, so no sounds to hear, but the Museum Fin de Siecle was lovely. We were 3 of ten people in 5 floors of the museum. Quiet and relaxing, we viewed what is probably a second rate collection — few artists we recognized. What were probably the students of Renoir, Lautrec and Matisse, seemed glorious to us. We wandered slowly, sat down and pondered, then got to the bottom floor (the museum starts on ground level and goes 8 floors down), and we’re greeted by the art nouveau of Victor Horta and his compatriots. Brussels must have been a world class city in 1900.We are on the train to Amsterdam, lounging in a red velvet banquet eating quiche. Oh, the life!

Started the day with chocolate spread and croissant.

We braved the winds and showers to see beautiful Ghent and Bruges. Chazy was a sport and walked through most of Ghent, and as usual, impressed the tour guide with her art interpretations. Shown up by my big sister again :).

The church in Ghent dates from 970, and is still in beautiful shape. Many pictures of gorgeous art work, statuary and stained glass — my camera doesn’t do them justice, so I’ll spare you.

However, the shopping was tremendously interesting.

We let Chaz hang at La Pain Quotidian (a Belgian company, by the way) while we toured around. Behind us was the original fish market at the right with Poseidon, as we stand at the monument to the patron of Ghent.

Biggest decision of the day — lunch and which beer?

Windmills and sheep on the way home. Like a painting.

Addendum:

Perfect dinner at the hotel with my favorite aperitivo, Punt e Mes.FullSizeRender.jpg

We slept a bit under puffy duvets and decided to hit the street!

The Grand Place is steps from the hotel. An awe inspiring square.

We went across town to see a large car museum, Autoworld, which is the collection of one man in the most beautiful 19th century glass and metal building. The cars were unique European vehicles that we’ve never seen before.

Flanking Autoworld are a few museums and Brussels’ Arch de Triomphe and gorgeous parks.

We watched a cricket game, saw rows of espaliered trees ringing the parks, and just enjoyed the day. Chazy got in safely, took a nap and joined us for dinner at a little bistro.Escargot, rabbit, ham knuckle with endive salad and a wonderful pinot noir. Life is good!

We saw these folks order a tasting of 14 beers, when we came out…..all gone!

James And Bethany Dorau, we’re channeling you!

I’m exhausted. Signing off.

So we had a delightful and very quick flight to Amsterdam. Not a lot of sleep, but a great documentary and a surprisingly good dinner.

This has to be the most elegant baggage claim I have ever seen!

Schipol airport is really lovely and very civilized. ATM’s, signs in English, and a train station WITHIN the airport. Not to break rank, we took first class seats on the 140 mile an hour Thalys train.

A little breakfast, a little countryside…. a taxi ride (by a frustrated race car driver), and we’re here in the lobby of the Amigo in Brussels.

The room should be ready shortly, we’re relaxing over the papers, a little nap, a little chocolate, and we’ll do a bit of sightseeing. Stay tuned.

So we awakened to 55 degrees here in Newbury, and got a taste of Fall. Looking at the weather in Amsterdam and Transylvania, we’ve decided to pack a little warmer.

Out come the flip flops and shorts, in goes another sweater. Out comes the dress for evening, definitely pants at night. In goes the puff jacket.

We can always buy T Shirts and flip flops in Bucharest, right?

We are T-1 for takeoff.

Even Brad has gotten into the spirit of “light packing”. 4 pants, 1 shorts, 4 long sleeve, 4 short sleeve, 4 shoes, a couple of sweaters, and we’re off!

Sad part is that our “first aid” kit has gotten progressively bigger as the years pass — Tums, Ben Gay, etc. all has been added to the band aids and Imodium. At least we’re still ambulatory.

Pickup is tomorrow at 2:00 PM!

In our effort for total immersion we headed out to a Romanian film called Puzzle for a Blind Man. Excellent film, and we met the director, Andre Zinca.

Wonderful man who is working on another Romanian film about freedom.

The full moon over the river was beautiful on the deck of the Firehouse Theatre. Can a Dutch film be far behind?

I awoke this morning to an email from cousin Anca in Transylvania. She’s getting the old family house ready for our arrival and she found a photo of great grandfather, Bazilu Vasu and some chums. This picture is probably from around 1915, and Bazilu (center) was the priest of the village. His son, Anca’s grandfather and my great uncle, took over when he died.

This is before WWI, before the peasant revolt, and at a very “Hapsburg” time in Romania.What a nice way to awaken on a Sunday. Better than going to church, when the priest greets you!

Well, here’s the first pass.

Brussels and Amersterdam, cold and rainy.  Bucharest, warm and sunny.  Transylvania, cool and sunny.

So, waterproof boots are in order for 6 days of wet weather at least.  Sneakers, flats and sandals for the rest.  A puff vest, a rain jacket, an umbrella and multiple scarves.

2 skirts, 4 pairs of pants, 2 dresses, 2 T shirts, 2 turtlenecks, 1 blouse, 2 long sleeve shirts. 4 quick dry underwear, nightgown, spare bra and cosmetics, first aid and phone chargers.  Oh, and a bathing suit!

I may edit, but I feel comfortable with this.  For now.