2024 European Vacation—Belgium

BELGIUM

Tuesday, April 30,2024 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Last week Thursday we drove to Dulles Airport to fly to Brussels, Belgium, to start our European vacation. I plan to post my thoughts and add sketches all along the way.

Wednesday I rented a car to make the drive, a car I’d never driven before. I found this sitting next to me. Took me an embarrassing long time to figure out how to use it.

It's a gearshift knob!
It’s a gearshift knob!

Friday morning we landed in Brussels and went to the Marriott Marquis Grand Place hotel, where Mary had reserved a room for us. Nice hotel, with great service! Then we took a walk. Guess where (when in Brussels . . . )

sketch of me with Manneken Pis
The hugely famous, and equally tiny Manneken Pis

Saturday we took a train to Ghent so I could revisit the famous Ghent Altar Piece. While we  were there I remembered they had a unique way of serving french fries — with beef stew.

sketch of a huge pile of french fries with beef stew
A medium-size order of fries with beef stew

Sunday we visited the charming and beautiful city of Bruges. In a quiet canal off the beaten track we saw, floating on top of the water next to two mallards, a pair of oversize Three Musketeer boots! I think they’re made of bronze; we found out they are part of a city-wide arts festival.

drawing of a canal with a pair of boots floating on top
Boots that walk on water
A close-up view

After a leisurely day in Brussels, we took the train here to Amsterdam, where we will meet up with a Tauck river cruise. In the afternoon I went to the Van Gogh Museum, and tomorrow I’ll visit the Rijksmuseum—what a treat!

 

Author: Steve

After spending years as an IT professional, creating and supporting systems for designers, writers, and editors, I am now pursuing a dream: to be an artist. I have "drawing on the brain"--not only do I feel compelled to draw all the time, I enjoy thinking about art.

5 thoughts on “2024 European Vacation—Belgium”

  1. Delightful! As in full of delight for you and Mary. I always “enjoy” your art. Ask my walls. Who’s the guy in the Manneken Pis drawing? Have fun. May is busy for me. A Brahms Requiem, a Polenzani recital a Butterfly, and a Brahms Double Concerto. And I got my 1st call today about preparing for my surgery in June. Busy, busy. 🙂

  3. Thanks Steve, Pat and I love the fact that you share your travels with us. Love to you both, have a great time. Harry

  4. Steve and Mary,
    Good for you! Hope you have a fabulous time. Interested in hearing about Tauck. Will there be time spent in Czech Republic??

  5. Thanks for including me in your posts, love hearing about your adventures and seeing your drawings. Have a great time and stay safe

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