Odds & Ends

If I never ride a bus/train/plane again in my life I might be okay with that. My hostel was so loud last night and I was paranoid of sleeping past my 4am alarm that I got about 2 hours of sleep. I caught a bus to the airport, plane to brussels, hour and a half bus to train station, hour train to Bruges, bus to city center. I had originally planned to stay in Brussels but on the train ride I changed my mind. So I hopped on the train to Bruges! When I was riding the bus to the city center, I could not believe the amount of people on the streets. It looked like the state fair. Turns out, there is a triathlon going on. It must be huge because there were so many people and they had a whole area fenced off with advertisments and such. So of course all of the hostels were booked so I started walking around looking for a room. Thank god for my guide book I had. I found a hotel room that was pretty inexpensive. It is so nice to have my own room and bathroom! Tomorrow, I am going to do a walking tour and check out the city more. Today I had a real belgian waffle. I ordered just a plain one and the lady took the dough and put it on the waffle iron. The dough was about the size of my fist and it was like cookie dough. It has so much sugar that it carmelizes on the outside. so so so good I am for sure getting another one tomorrow. Belgium is also known for its chocolate and there are many chocolate shops here that each make their own chocolate. I went into one today and was overwhelmed. I think I will do a taste test tomorrow of all the shops. How bad could that be?

Yesterday, while I was in Dublin for a couple hours, I did the Guiness beer tour. It's called the Guiness Showroom because it's not actually the brewery. They built this building in 2000 and it's 7 stories high. The atrium goes all the way up and it's shaped like a pint of guiness. I didn't think this tour was going to be as cool as it was!!! I am mad I didn't bring my camera. 250 years ago, Arthur Guiness signed a 9000 year lease for the guiness building!!! 9000 years!!! And the great-great-great-great-grandson of Arthur Guiness was there when I was walking through and he said a few words to us. The tour walked you through the process and ingredients of what goes into making Guiness. They had a room where they played video of a guy making a barrel back in the day. There had displays of all the old tools and machinery used to make the beer. And of course, we got a pint of Guiness at the end. If you are ever in Dublin, you have to go on this tour!

I should have Bruges pics tomorrow!

Tomorrow night, I wll be staying in the heart of the Red Light District......Will the devil take my soul???...will I spend money or MAKE money???.....start saying your prayers NOW!!

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