Dad's Parking Ticket

Dad's Parking Ticket
Originally uploaded by Jamie Howell

Dad ran to the grocery store to buy some pop before they closed. He decided to just run in instead of paying a parking boxes that they have instead of parking meters. You put in some money and it prints you a timestamped ticket you put on your dash so the police know you've paid to be there. Dad comes out 5 minutes later to a nice 15 Euro ticket. He said he almost tore it up since he couldn't read it and thought it was an annoying advertising flier like we sometimes get here. It's a good thing he didn't!

I took this picture the last day we were in Belgium. Dad is still there working and is supposed to come home tomorrow.

Waffle Video

Here is the video of me eating my first Belgian Waffle. It was good, not as good as the one in Ghent, and the next day I was sicker than a dog. Not certain it was the waffle but was a pretty big coincidence. It was kind of funny though that I was so determined to find a Belgian Waffle and then got sick the next day.

Flight of Misery

We are finally back in Michigan after an absolutely miserable flight. Eight hours in a plane packed wall to wall with Italians. They were just horrible. Walking all over, yelling at each other across the plane, screaming Italian babies, etc. I've never been so happy to see the filthy city of Detroit in all my life.

Grandma's green card paperwork took a little extra time but we should be home before midnight at least. I can't wait to sleep in my bed and cuddle my puppies!

The Better Belgian Waffle

Mom's Waffle
Originally uploaded by Jamie Howell

While in Ghent we found a little shop that just sold Belgian Waffles. Dad bought us some and these were even better than the ones we had a couple days ago. Topped with whipped cream, they were sort of like a thicker elephant ear. Crispy and sweet!

Ghent

Grandma
Originally uploaded by Jamie Howell

Today we visited the city of Ghent (or Gent) in Belgium. It was only about an hour away from our hotel and well worth the drive. It is a very old city with a lot of medieval buildings. The whole town is very pretty! This is a picture of Grandma in front of Saint Bavo Cathedral.

We toured castle Gravensteen which was right in town. We all really enjoyed it. The small spiral staircases frightened me a bit. There was 15 points of interest in the castle including an armory showing armor and weapons, a torture chamber with medieval devices, and descriptions of all the things the building has been used for throughout the centuries. A lot of pictures of this has been added to my Flickr account.

We then walked along the streets and visited the Friday Market where there were a lot of little tent shops set up in the square.

We had a little bit of trouble finding the car again. The tom-tom didn't really work very well in Ghent for some reason. So we walked and walked and walked and eventually it did take us to it but we're all pretty much pooped now.

Finally! A Belgian Waffle!

Dodge Sausage Wrap
Originally uploaded by Jamie Howell

We went shopping downtown Koksijde today and I went into every bakery looking for a Belgian waffle. One of my goals was try the official Belgian waffle. I struck out. We stopped in a little grocery store, sorta like Aldi's back home and I bought a pack of packaged waffles figuring it was the closest I was going to get.

This afternoon we went back out and found a little bakery that had the cutest little mini donuts that I could see from the window. I went in to get me a mini donut and Dodge wanted this sausage wrapped in a croissant thing. I go in and there on the counter are freshly baked Belgian waffles. I bought one and got Dodge his sausage baked thingy (which was pretty tasty). Mom got a waffle too and Grandma got some apple turnover things.

The waffle was more cake like than our waffles, like a cakey donut and had a sugar glaze on top. Was pretty stinking good and I'm guessing very bad for you because I could almost feel all the butter or oils or whatever was used coating my mouth. Anyway this is officially checked off the to-do list!

The Shady Bistro

We spent the day walking around Brugge. We stopped in a chocolate shop, watched them make chocolate easter bunnies and then Grandma bought us some truffles. They were yummy! Mom was in heaven with white chocolate truffles and a bag of marzipan.

We stopped in a local bar and got a beer which was delicious and asked where we could find some supper. Everyone we asked suggested the Waterwheel and gave us directions there but the restaurant was closed. So we ended up driving all around and found this little restaurant quite by accident. We were just happy to find an open restaurant. The closer we walked up to it and read the name "The Shady" we were starting to have doubts but we went inside anyway.

The bartender/cook was a super friendly woman who spoke English well. Her menu was only in Flemmish but she translated it all for us. I told her I wanted to try a traditional Belgian dinner and she suggested the Flemmish Stew. So I got that and it was very good. Dodge went with what she said was also traditional, eel. He liked it. Mom got a chicken mushroom dish that was very good and Grandma had fresh salmon. Everything was served with french fries and a big bowl of homemade mayonaise.

With a happy full belly we returned to our castle. Sampled a few more local beers from the fridge and then sleep peacefully.

Castle

Well yesterdays flight and then lost luggage totally stunk. Today we arrived in the castle in Brugges and it so makes up for all that junk. The grounds are nice, we have great rooms and the castle is awesome! More pictures of this will be be posted on my flickr account later.

Delayed

After rushing like mad people because we were told the flight was leaving. We finally get on board and then in flight told on of the engine de-icers isnt working and we land in Ohio to wait for a mechanic. Now they've deboarded us and trying to get a new plane. As you can see Mom is thrilled.