One more Beer Please
Trip Start
Nov 22, 2007
1
8
16
Trip End
Dec 2007
Bruges,
Belgium
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Today I sent a package of dirty clothes and other stuff back home. It was nice to lighten the load. I hope I won't be needing any of that stuff! ;) I decided to do some toursity stuff- which I haven't done here before- besides climbing the Belfry of course.... I should have gone into the museums but quite frankly, even though it is gloomy- it was nice to photograph the canals and bridges today. I did actually go into the State house which was a bore. I think Paris did me in- I O.D.ed on art there and now I can't be bothered..
Frankfurt Train Station
. So, my attention turned to Saint John's Hospital which is the Memling Museum now I think. I followed my tourist map for a while, but from there walked deeper into less travelled territory where I found some really cool architechtural details that made me laugh. Little faces looking from above windows and doorways, carvings of Saints on corners of buildings. It was kind of wild. If you don't look up you miss half the show. The weather here is clearly winter and I am in heaven- but darn it- where is the snow!? I don't mean to nag, but I really really want some snow. Snow with sunshine that doesn't affect travelling- better be specific if I am going to ask, right? :) Something has happened- maybe it's all the beer- but I have been wearing a short sleeve t-shirt under my coat and scarf and that is it...?? I thought I would be colder in 40 degree weather. Oh well, there is still the Black Forest where I head to tomorrow. Maybe I will get to finaly wear the long underwear and gloves. It's the little things in life, isnt' it?
Tonight Sinta Klaus comes and brings the kids a little something for Christmas? I watched something on it in maybe Flemish and I was completely lost.. First of all, Sinta has no elves, but he does have some very tall dark and goofy helpers in funny outfits who are definitely not what we Americans would consider very PC..
Lace Shop
. look up Sinta Klaus and if you have any ideas on what the deal is, let me in on it. I don't think anyone will be leaving me any gifts tonight... but someone was in my room earlier - to switch off my light. Silly Belgians want to conserve energy.. What they didn't know was that I was charging my camera battery and their design prevents me using the outlet unless the light is switched on!! Well, what gastronomical delights shall I indulge in tonight? More croquettes?? Anyone get a recipe on this please share- they are really dreamy. I am going to brave the chocolate beer too, I promise. I need more chocolate like I need another hole in my head! But for you, dear reader, I will sacrifice.
Tomorrow I will be in beautiful Freiburg Germany with Dagmar and Stephan. I am looking forward to dining with friends and having some good German fun. Oh yes, and seeing the Christmas Market! Hey wait, do you guys have Cherry Beer there? Cant' wait! Hope all of you are doing well. I will give you guys an update tomorrow. Lots of love to you!
Kathryn
Comments
Sinta Klaus
Hello Kathryn! I stumbled onto this post and thought that maybe I should clarify the Sinta Klaus stuff a bit ;-) His name is 'Sinterklaas' (flemish), comes from Saint-Nicolas (french).
The story for the children goes that he lives in Spain and has a big book with all the names of all the children. Good kids get treats, bad kids get nothing. If you've been really bad, his helper will put you in the bag and take you to Spain for one year. When you're little, that's terrifying :) In november he travels with his steamboat to our country and parades through the streets, while the children sing songs and get their first candy. So the evening before Sinterklaas' birthday, the night of 5th-6th december, Sinterklaas and his helper walk over the rooftops. Sint sits on a horse (a white one with soft grey spots, some call the horse 'bad-weather-today') and zwarte piet (=black Pete) carries the bag with the toys and candy. Zwarte piet then goes down the chimneys to put the candy in the shoes of the children, and that's why he's black. Children leave a carrot or sugar for the horse and a glass of red wine for Sinterklaas.
In the end, Sinterklaas has little, actually nothing, to do with Christmas. It's just a day in the year children really live up to and has many little stories surrounding it. For example, when the sky is red, it's the oven of Sinterklaas baking the cookies for his birthday. I wish i still believed those stories, what magical moments they've given me... :)