wah!

This picture in a nearby museum in The Hague is so funny and quirky and cute.

....

Soon we will know who our next President will be. Obama '08

as in a dream

Brussel's old town square was amazing tonight.

...but the real story of the weekend is Luxembourg.

Too tired to really write for now, so I wanted to post this picture first.

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The problem with these dream-like states I find myself in is that I am very happy in them. I feel so at peace when I am "transported" by these almost unreal surroundings. Sometimes I wish there was another universe I could just escape to, just for a little while. I have no reason to be unhappy in my life, and for all practical purposes I am very content... but sometimes I feel like I am floating, drifting through the motions... things are not vivid... it is hard to explain.

Gospel Stand

My picture uploads aren't working on the other post, so here are some in a new post:



This is wood and marble pulpit in the Ghent Cathedral that I was talking about in my last post. I love it.

I'm generally a big fan of Baroque/Rococo styles. I prefer the flowing, natural look to the statuesque, formal models. Although, it's more that I love to see it... but I wouldn't want a style so complicated and ornate for my own place ;)

It's amazing to see how well the two mold together, as if carved out of one piece.

The snake and the apple tree...

In Bruges

"Two weeks? In f*ckin Bruges?"

This past Sunday, my friend and I took a day trip to see Ghent and Bruges in Belgium. In "preparation" for Bruges, he had me watch the Colin Farrell movie, "In Bruges." It was actually a decent introduction to the city (and where I got this line from... it's so much better in an Irish accent). I am not a fan of Colin Farrell but I found the dialog of the movie to be great. Very inappropriate and quotable (okay most of the good parts in this trailer..). Parts of the story were a little too far-fetched for me to allow me to enjoy the movie, but I found myself thinking about the movie's meaning for long after we finished.

In any case, both towns are very charming and worth visiting. I wish we had more time in each, but it was a good introduction. Ghent's city center appears to have a massive church/cathedral on every other block. For a small city, that was impressive. The old church was fantastic, with one of the most beautiful pulpits I have ever seen. It was made out of wood and marble, and the sculpture just had a very natural yet ethereal style to it.

Bruges is a well-preserved medieval town-- practically the entire city center is a UNESCO world heritage site. For me, this meant it departed slightly from the narrow buildings that I had become accustomed to, but it still has many similarities with the other Belgian and some Dutch towns. Canals and all.

I love the color gradient on the vine-covered tower....

Church of the Holy Blood-- supposedly Jesus Christ's actual blood is contained here.

Amsterdam: first impressions

It seems as though when Amsterdam is mentioned, two things come to most people's minds: legal drugs and the red light district. Amsterdam was one of the few major European cities I hadn't visited prior to this trip. I have to admit that these were the things that characterized the city to me.

In reality, Amsterdam is a uniquely amazing city that one can enjoy without either of these things. I wish its reputation relied on its beautiful canals, charming architecture, and extensive art scene. Much like the rest of Holland, it's such a refreshing place to be in. Of course, the presence of the drug and sex scene is undeniable, but there is so much more to this city.



A unique sight: an designer's showcase in the Old Church; the church was simultaneously under construction. An interesting meeting of emerging artists, construction equipment, and stained glass windows.

Both of these pictures were taken in The Dam, the main square in Amsterdam

The Holland Trifecta: canals, "well-mannered" architecture, and bikes. Okay, true, I am missing tulips and windmills in this equation... but those are more outside the big cities :)

My guidebook called the style "well-mannered" architecture, meaning that the distinctions lie in the details. The buildings are similar in shape and size due to past regulations, but the subtlety in the different designs make the effect even more charming.

heartwarming

It is a little cliche of me, but the image of older couples in love really makes me happy. I see many cute white-haired couples holding hands here, and it is one of the sweetest, simplest things to see.

These were both taken in Amsterdam, which I will write about next.

momentary content

Kinderdijk in the Netherlands-- a UNESCO heritage site. One of my favorite places that I've visited in Europe. The sunset, the few scattered people, the wide expanse of land... it makes me feel at ease in a way I rarely can. One of those fleeting feelings I wish I could hold on to.

Brussels Preview

m
.... hahah

I have internet again!

Den Haag of course

went to Mauritshuis, where the Girl with a Pearl Earring is

Side shot of Binnenhof

Little cafe off Binnenhof-- the car matches the shop perfectly :)

The Peace Palace at a different angle

I love Den Haag

Interesting architectural details on the Fred


The Hague's "skyline" :)

I didn't grow up at a time/place when "Oriental" was used offensively, but it's still funny

The "McKroket"-- a beef/cheese/potato croquette with a mustard sauce. Yum! :P

Random casinos here and there... they are pretty clean and nice, like a chain store but a chain casino.

Den Haag Update

the Peace Palace-- gorgeous inside, too!

Peace Palace gates

Peaceful leafy street I biked down
An example of bikes used to cart the kiddies around (Kids go in box, parent bikes from behind). Very cute!

A cheese store-- yumm!

Last and maybe least :) a funny store in Amsterdam