In Bruges Take Two

There's a Christmas tree somewhere in London with a bunch of presents underneath it that'll never be opened. And I thought, if I survive all of this, I'd go to that house, apologize to the mother there, and accept whatever punishment she chose for me. Prison... death... didn't matter. Because at least in prison and at least in death, you know, I wouldn't be in fuckin' Bruges. But then, like a flash, it came to me. And I realized, fuck man, maybe that's what hell is: the entire rest of eternity spent in fuckin' Bruges. And I really really hoped I wouldn't die. I really really hoped I wouldn't die. Ray, In Bruges (2008)

The above is a quote from one of my favourite movies: In Bruges. I loved the movie long before we ever visited Bruges, but now that we have been here, I find it even funnier. It's ridiculous, crude and hilarious. Rent it!

The last three days in Bruges have been great. We have shopped, went on a walking tour of the city, went for a bike ride around where the old city walls used to be, went to a Picasso exhibit and to my favourite museum the Groeningemuseum, visited the St. Anna windmills, hiked up 366 stairs to the top of the Belfort and got lunch drunk. Fun!

Here are some of our pictures. They don't quite do this beautiful medieval city justice, but its better than nothing ;)

This is an example of godshuizen (or almhouses) 

Begijnhof dating from the 13th century with a modern art installation in the trees.

The Lake of Love (The Minnewater)

 Biking across The Minnewater

Gratuitous Kiss at The Minnewater

St Anna Windmills

WTF are you looking at?

How Lance started the Lamy Drunk Lunch....

And how Lance finished the Lamy Drunk Lunch 

Some of our favourite paintings from the Groeningemuseum:

The Belfort, a landmark in Bruges since the 13th century. We were able to hike up the 366 stairs and it reminded me of one of my favourite scenes from In Bruges....

Overweight Man: Been to the top of the tower?
Ray: Yeah... yeah, it's rubbish.
Overweight Man: It is? The guide book says it's a must see.
Ray: Well you lot ain't going up there.
Overweight Man: Pardon me? Why?
Ray: I mean, it's all winding stairs. I'm not being funny.
Overweight Man: What exactly are you trying to say?
Ray: What exactly am I trying to say? You's a bunch of fuckin' elephants.
[overweight man attempts to chase Ray around but quickly grows tired]
Ray: Come on, leave it fatty!
[the overweight women calm down the overweight man]
Overweight Woman #2: [to Ray] You know you're just the rudest man. The rudest man!
Ken: [coming back from the tower] What's all that about?
[Ray shrugs]
Ken: They're not going up there.
[to overweight family]
Ken: Hey, guys. I wouldn't go up there. It's really narrow.
Overweight Woman #2: Screw you, motherfucker!
Ken: [to Ray] What was that about?
Ray: [shrugs]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaPzN2gD3PQ

 Views from the top!

It was super rainy and windy when we were at the top of the tower.

I kept flashing other tourists as I was wearing a dress, which was a poor decision, but mitigated by my thick black tights.

Tomorrow morning we are off to Cinque Terre. We are going to take a train, a plane, three more trains and a short car ride to get there. It will be a long travel day but we are excited for sunshine, coastline, pesto and wine.

Love you all,

Lamy