Belquie Day 5: Canals, Boats, Dogs, and Violently Graphic Movies

So after our wild adventures in Brussels we got on the train and headed toward the coast to Brugges. Oh man, what a great decision that was!! In reality it was the ONLY place mom wanted to see during our 2 weeks away. We hadn't really heard of this town until we started to do the research but it is a cool little place. Basically it's really, really, really old and has lots of interesting history to it and is well known for the architecture and canals. All of which we saw! Also, there is a fairly recent movie that has come out called "In Bruges" that is kind of funny but way more violent than I anticipated. But we saw all the cool sights in that movie! We even went oooh, remember that and look there and blah, blah, blah while we watched. If you have the stomach for somewhat graphic violence and a lot of language, check the movie out. It actually gives you a good glimpse of the town.
Anyway, we stayed at this great little bed and breakfast/hotel that was right on the canal and we had rooms that faced the canal. They were very helpful and polite too which is always nice. We got to Brugges, checked in, than decided to go on a canal boat ride since we had the time and wanted to get cracking on seeing the sights.

Our hotel-if you go to Brugges, stay here!

Me on our window seat in our cute room! Yup-that's the canal below. Don't worry, I didn't fall in!

We walked through the main square on our way to the boat ride.


Horse drawn carriages are a VERY popular tourist attraction-1 hr ride around the historic parts of the city.

Just another commute to work right?

Dad and mom on the boat waiting to go! They're already having fun!


Churches, bridges, canals, swans, and trees-this one photo encompasses all of Brugges.


Oh to relax by the water.

After the boat ride we walked around some since we had plenty of day light and time. We came upon the "Bier Temple" where we perused all the different beers (mainly from Belgium) then we went to sit on the patio for some down time and of course the boys had a beer.

Mom had a cherry beer that was quite tasty.

This was the inspiration for one of the Pirates of the Caribbean characters. No, not really. This was part of a somewhat eclectic fountain that was quite popular.

After dinner and as it was getting later, mom and dad decided to go to bed so Matt and I wandered around some more and goof off. We didn't get lost but we did explore some of the side streets and came upon the oldest bridge in the town where we took some fun photos including this one....

Of course I'm going to smile a little while being kissed by such a handsome man!

This dog was in the movie "In Bruges" and he just hangs out of this window that overlooks the canal. There was another little dog that would steal his spot when big dog was away but this one was way cuter ;) And mind you, this was taken at 10PM-by the lighting you'd think it was 4Pm

So after we were done with our walk, we went back to the hotel around sunset (1030/11PM??), snapped some shots, then went to bed ready for the next day of adventures-a bike tour!!

10 Years Gone by so Quick

So anyone who is a breathing, thinking, and alive knows, today is 9/11. I can't believe that it's almost 1 year that Matt and I have lived abroad but what I can't believe even more is that it's been 10 years since the attacks on our beloved country. It's so crazy to think that a whole 10 years has flown by-and what has happened in that time. Everyone always shares their "what were you doing" story on days like today and as most of you know me I won't go there. All I can say is that I just think over and over again how different my life could have been had certain events happened to our family.
My dad was supposed to be in the Pentagon that morning, in the spot where the plane crashed. The exact spot. But thankfully the good Lord spared his life and pushed the meeting to the afternoon. So dad did not go up to DC that fateful day. But what if he had? What if he had been in the building. He would have died. And my life would have been so much more heartbreaking. Would I have still gone to my beloved college? Probably not? I would not have been able to leave my mom alone. That means I wouldn't have met most of my closet friends-I wouldn't know what I was missing out on but I know I wouldn't be who I am now. Would Matt and I still have gotten married? Possibly. But the dynamic of our relationship would be so different. I might not have gone to college and he would've still gone to Tech and I would have been bitter at his experiences. My relationship with Christ would have been terribly different than it is now-I believe with all my heart that I wouldn't have blamed Christ for losing my dad but I know the growth I would've had would be different. Instead of going to CO and going to my church and growing as I did, it might have been more reserved. I might have been a terribly broken person. I know for sure that my relationship with my dad wasn't where I wanted it when 9/11 hit. I would've never had the close friendship, love, and respect I have with dad now. Some joke that I'm even a "daddy's girl" which in times like this, I'm ok with. At least I still have him. I would've been so terribly heartbroken to have to walk down the aisle alone instead of having dad lead me which is something that I will cherish all my life. So many "what ifs", "would have beens" and "maybes."
But praise the Lord I haven't had to live the last 10 years without one of the most important men of my life. It really is by a miracle from Christ that dad didn't drive up to the Pentagon and die that day. I really think Jesus looks out for me and my happiness because he spared my dad that day. And he protected Matt during the VT shootings. I can't imagine my life without either of them-they continually challenge, shape, and love me into someone who I want to be, who I should be.

Dad and I in Hawaii July 2010.