Bruges (Belgium) | A Cup of Happiness (Part 2)

Koningin Astridpark is southeast of the Belfry near the city center of Bruges. The park is full of mature trees and includes a fountain. Cami and I sat under a gazebo, where we enjoyed the sunshine.

While the two of us are sitting under the gazebo talking, an older man on a bicycle rides by. Cami excitedly waves him down. The two have a short discussion in Flemish, and then Cami says, "That's my yoga teacher. He teaches a class on Thursday nights and invited you to join me." I look at the old man, who waves. I turn to Camin. Please tell him I really appreciate it. However, I'm leaving Thursday morning for Antwerp." We continued talking for a while before deciding to find a place to have a drink.

Walking around with Cami, I noticed a feature on buildings unique to Bruges. Many buildings have little nooks on the corners that display statues of important saints and religious figures. I absolutely love those features. It adds a unique flair to the city and feels safe, as though the city is watching over me.

Like this one of Mary, the statues have a considerable amount of detail.

Each day I've spent with people I've met on the Camino has been different. With Cami, the day seems to gently slide into place. Nothing is forced. Everything comes easy and naturally. However, when her cousin joined us for drinks, there was a noticeable slight disturbance in the force. Her energy was a bit more intense and felt heavy compared to the lightness I felt with Cami. We had some intense and fun discussions regarding religion and off-and-on relationships.

Bruges has an authentic Middle Ages feel that has been modernized. As we flaneur our way around the city, it is apparent that the city takes great pride in preserving it. Cami tells me they are constantly renovating and restoring the streets and buildings in Bruges.

Another example of the excellent care that the city takes in preserving itself is highlighted in the photo below. During the boat tour, our guide told us that buildings painted red must remain red and cannot be painted any other color. Historically, these buildings were painted red with blood from cows. It was a sign of great wealth if you owned a red house. Today, no one uses blood to paint their homes anymore. However, an owner cannot paint the house another color if it is red. Similarly, no new houses can be painted red. This is one of the things that makes Bruges so interesting and enjoyable to experience.

"Have you been to the blood church?" asks Cami. Blood church? I ask, trying to understand what she is referring to. Cami leads me east of the Belfry to the Town Hall. A dark grey building adjoins the Town Hall in the southwest corner. "Oh, good. It's open today," she says as she leads me up winding stairs. Once inside, I am surprised by what I see. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a beautiful little church resembling a chapel. This video of the Basilica shows the inside quite well. We sit and admire the decor. "I come here frequently to worship. Once a week, they bring out a relic of Jesus' blood in a vial. It is pretty disgusting, actually. You should see the people go crazy when they see it. It's so weird how they react, she says as she mimics the strange behavior.😂

That was amazing. I would not have guessed that beautiful little church was tucked away in that corner. I love the intimacy of the chapel, I tell Cami. "Yeah, it's a special place for me," she says.

"Before we go eat, let me show you the greenbelt along the river," says Cami. We walk up and back. I love the greenbelt. There are large mature trees everywhere. Some of them are enormous, too. "What do you think of Bruges," asks Cami. I love this city! You are fortunate to live here. The city is beautiful and has a rich history, and I love all the green space here. The outdoors is important to people who live here. I especially like how we can find these gems hidden not far from the urban centers.

We return to Cami's car and head out of the city center. "There are lots of Frituurs in the city center, but none have good fries. I send tourists there because it's too hard to describe how to get to this place away from the city center. I'll take you to a place that does," says Cami.

Frituurs are Belgium Fry Shacks. They are like a national pastime here. It's Belgian fast food! Most Frituurs have a huge assortment of prepared food waiting to be fried. All the food is stored in a refrigerated butcher-like display. It is quite a site to see. And the place is packed. I realize quickly I am in over my head. I lean over and tell Cami order a variety of things. Get what you like and we will share. It is all new to me. I wouldn't know how to pronounce anything or what to order. While you do that, I'll go find us a table. "I can do that," she says, smiling. Although the food looks strangely unappetizing in this format, I assure you it is delicious once it is fried.

It doesn't take long, and Cami returns with a pile of delicious golden fries, stoofvlees (brown gravy-like dish), mayo for the fries, and shrimp krokette. We divide the food, and then Cami teaches me how to eat like a Belgian. "Did your fries in mayo and then the stoofvlees. It's so good," she says. As I work through the delicious fries, Cami looks over and sees I've been too conservative with my stoofvlees. "Here, let me help you," she says as she grabs the stoofvlees, pours it on the fries, and then tops with the mayo. She's right. It is much better smothered!

That might have been the best fried food I have had, I tell Cami. She smiles and says, "I should take you back. It's late, and I have to work early in the morning. I want to see you again before you leave. How does 10 am sound?" That's works great! I would love to spend more time with you, I say.

It's much later than I expected when Cami drops me off. There's a special concert tonight in the courtyard of the Snuffel Hostel. I drop in and realize I am not interested in listening to a woman screaming into the microphone all night. So, I grab my coat and head out to take some night photos.

Below is the entrance to the Basilica of Blood. The staircase winds up to the left, where the little chapel is below the bell tower.