Visit with Jillian and Nikhil

Jillian and Nik visited Germany and Switzerland for two weeks. At the beginning of their trip we met up in Frankfort while Rory and Owen were still in town. We all stayed the night in Frankfort and visited with Shane Morris too. Shane made reservations at a perfect outdoor cafe where we watched the final game of the European Soccer Championships. Germany had lost just days earlier, and we couldn't imagine if they had made it to the finals! I am not sure we would of had such fantastic viewing of the game on a pretty square in Frankfort. As it was it was Italy and Spain were playing. Spain won and there were plenty of Spanish fans about the city - horns blaring until at least 1 in the morning. Happy soccer fans for sure! Europeans love their soccer!!!

Musical Instrument Museum -
a very cool,  old building

By the time Jillian and Nik arrived in Koln they were ready for some relaxing time and I think they were both happy one day when it rained - an excuse not to spend the day touring! It was fun to relax and spend time just enjoying our home away from home and the city of Koln. We did manage to fit in a little trip up to Brussels and Brugge in Belgium.

Brussels is about a 2 and a 1/2 hour drive from Koln so it is an easy trip in the car. There is a magnificent central square called the Grand Platz. It is a huge open area of cobblestones surrounded on all four sides with large, beautiful old buildings. Of course there are huge baskets of colorful flowers hanging from the street lamps and the smell of waffle stands and chocolate shops is everywhere. 

 Our time in Brussels was filled with walking the cobblestone streets, visiting a few chocolate shops, spending time in the square at night while there was a Flemish celebration complete with live bands on a stage in the Grand Platz, people waving Flemish flags and enjoying a late night dessert of incredible Belgium waffles and ice cream! A walk through a park gave us an unexpected display of large fanciful art projects displayed with a theme on the city of Brussels and food. 

A stork delivering
a brussel sprout.

Those are legs popping
out of magazines.

About an hour from the city of Brussels is the quaint town of Brugge. I had heard from so many people that I had to go here. It did not disappoint! Largely untouched by World War II, the city is a maze of cobbled streets that weave in and out of beautiful quiet canals. You can take a small boat tour of the canal which only lasts about 35 minutes, and it takes you under the tiny stone bridges and gives you a wonderful view of the beautiful buildings throughout the small city.  It was such a contrast to the canals of Amsterdam that we were on just the week before with Owen and Rory. In Amsterdam the canals are busy with large tour boats, pleasure boats, taxi boats, and even pedal boats. 

I am not sure how many squares there are in this town, but they are all beautiful with shops, cafes, and historical buildings mixing together in a very warm and enduring way. By an old fish market we came across a man that was weaving on a huge loom. He was making a scarf with colorful threads and selling the finished products. Of course, we looked through them and found many that we had to try on. Jillian bought one for herself and treated me to one as well. What a nice, memorable gift I now have. Thanks Jillian and Nikhil! The day was sunny, warm and delightful. An easy day of touring and unique in feeling and setting. This is definitely a place to come back to and spend a couple nights in a Bed and Breakfast. The search is on for a place and time. There appeared to be a lot more to see - parks and open areas, museums, and art galleries. Bob was working by this point of the week, so there is a good excuse to go back again.

Nik enjoying a very large beer!