Ho-hum first ... then medieval magic

Thank goodness we are a couple of blocks from a laundromat. Our clothes desperately needed a washing so hi-ho, hi-ho, it was off to laundry we go.
Why am I wearing a dress? Because it was the only clean thing LEFT!

Figuring out laundry signs written in Dutch is challenging, but we soldier on.
 

Okay, Earl has on swim trunks but that was the only clean thing he had.

While the machines were working, I walked a half-block to see the canal (below) and take a photo of my reflection, waving (also below). Laundry time is really boring so don't make fun!

I saw this sign (below) in a building on the way back and was wondering if that meant the building used to be for a tailor or a hairdresser. They used to have signs like this when the average person couldn't read. But then I realized back then they didn't have beauty shops! You probably just cut your hair yourself.

Laundry is done -- hooray!  We carted it all back to the apartment. I will never ever ever EVER complain about doing laundry in my own basement again.  Ahh, I long for the luxury of just being about to wear an outfit ONCE instead of what we've been doing.

Now it's play time, and beautiful Bruges is just the place, offering up 74-degree weather and sunny skies.  There are museums and churches and historical buildings to explore but The Mister and I decided to just stroll the streets, cross bridges, sit on benches, and get to know Bruges which sits like a medieval town in a storybook. Since we have 2 weeks here, we can take our time.

Here's some of what we saw walking around town ...

Earl said to me as we were walking the town, "It's even better than I thought it would be." Absolutely, I agreed.

The main square of the town is exceptionally pretty ...

The square has a clock tower (below) which you can see with or without Joneses in front of it ...

Now that I payed homage to the beauty of the medieval architecture, can I rave about the glorious shops (below)?

To say you can't go half a block with seeing a chocolate shop or bakery is not an exaggeration - and Earl and I really believe in supporting the local economy!

 

Did I have more photos of shops then architecture?!? Please don't count.

Oh, and look at this garage (below) offering free bicycle parking.

Yesterday we had our first taste of Belgian fries (below).  I'm not a big fan of French fries so I looked at the purchase as a chance to rest my feet. But after tasting just one, I found myself eating another and another. My goodness - I didn't even use ketchup! They are incredibly good!

We are loving Bruges and so glad we anchored here. We are 3 short blocks from the heart of the town and love our quiet residential street so going to the town twice a day is easy.

Tomorrow is the World Cup semi-finals and we're not too sure of the best place to be during the game -- and after!

And tomorrow we will start seriously exploring - there is a Michelangelo statue in one of the churches - but these first two days were just "Getting to know you... Getting to know all about you... "

Thanks for reading my blog!
No-Longer-Stinky Jane