Bruges

We bid farewell this morning to the  Elodie crew, feeling like we were leaving new friends.  Especially Nico and Doug who seemed to have some kind of bromance. Dorrie said she kept thinking of the movie Twins, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny De Vito...I'm not sure who is who!  I walked into town with Teresa and Gail,  while the boys took our luggage via taxi to the hotel.  A few of us are staying at the same place.  I met Doug in the square.  We wandered around looking in shop windows (most were closed as it is Sunday), took a carriage ride, had lunch, and visited the Church or Our Lady,  where the Madonna and Child sculpture is displayed.  I love the churches...they are so beautiful.   Afterward, we headed back to the hotel, checked in, and promptly took an afternoon nap.  We awoke about 4:30 pm and headed to the Rose Red Cafe again for cocktails.  I am liking a natural cherry beer they serve.   Very sour and not beer-like, but I enjoy it a lot.  We ran into Brenda, Dorrie,  and Mariette there and shared bar stools with them.   They were on their way to take the same carriage ride we had taken earlier.  Doug and I decided to venture to a restaurant we had seen earlier, about a 20 minute walk from our hotel
  As soon as we stepped outside, it started to pour rain.  We decided to venture out anyway, passing the girls in the carriage on their way back. We made it to De Verloren Hoek, soaked, but well worth it.  It was the best meal yet in Bruges...Flemish Stew.  It was dry on our walk back to the hotel for the night.  We are rethinking our plans for the rest of the week, wondering if Venice plans will take up too much time (since we didn't book ahead).  I think we will head to Brussels on Tuesday and go from there.  Tomorrow's post will be about Monday in Bruges.  Hopefully there will be some shopping news since more shops will be open.  Any of you who are hoping for a treasure from our trip -- we haven't found it yet.  (Unless you have your heart set on inappropriate chocolate. ..see below!).