Bruge, Belgium

 For my final day in Belgium I decided to take a trip up to the northern part to visit Bruge. An old medieval city that still lives within its original walls. Apparently its known in Belgium to be the city of lovers and it was very charming however since I went alone it was the city of history for me.

Original wall, redone of course but this is where they have stood for centuries.

The walk in. I took a train from Brussels to Bruge and the train dropped you off outside of the city since no trains were around in the medieval times and it would destroy the significance of the city to put one in.

The town square. There was a festival going on at the time centered around Vietnamese food and culture. 

Me! Pre walking up the bell tower. The tower 266 steps up to the top and they only allowed about 80 people in at one time since it was so old. Therefore the line was long but the climb was easy since there weren't too many people to climb around. The steps as you got higher got small and steeper, by the end I felt like I had the best leg workout in a while.

Half way up!

 Anyone going up? This is the steps to go up and they were small

Bells once used in the tower

View from the top of the tower!

How far away Paris was from where I was standing

I tried to get the background in however it didn't work with my poor ipod. 

The Bells!

There is still someone who lives within the tower and rings the bell on the hour.

The Bruge flag

After the tower, there was an interactive exhibit in the museum where they took you through the daily life of a medieval boy. You entered through the door below and then walked through a completely recreated space. It seemed like you were on a ship, in the old courtyard, in an artists home, and on the streets running from authorities. It had to be the best interactive exhibit I've been in. The sights, sounds, and even smells seemed very accurate. 

Another view of the center of town. The day was perfect for catching a lot of great shots!

A white Belgium beer

Ham and cheese sandwhich

The museum with the interactive exhibit 

A random street 

Mary's Chocolates! While on my wanders throughout the city, I found this chocolate shop called Mary's. So I got Mom some chocolates that had her name on it! The chocolate has the Belgium Royal Seal!