A Paris Thanksgiving...or not!

In planning a day trip to Bruges, as a family we decided that Thanksgiving day just might be the perfect day. American Thanksgiving is not a celebrated holiday in France. We thought it would be a memorable day to count in our treasury of Thanksgivings.

Bruges is a quaint, historic village in the uppermost northern point of Belgium. The high speed train ride and consequent transfers took us through rural France and was picturesque. While the thought had crossed our minds of the possibility of cloudy, cool weather, we had not anticipated steady rain with periods of downright downfall!

It was indeed, a memorable Thanksgiving Day!

Upon arriving in the city, this was the first sign that greeted us. You might have well asked me to perform brain surgery as to interpret this! It was basically Greek to us all.


Flemish is the language spoken and the natives don't take nicely to French! They do respond, however, to English.

Being so near the Scandanavian culture, bicycling is a main mode of transportation. I even saw an entire parking garage underground that was only for bicycles! This mass of cycles was quite a sight.

Likewise, many signs throughout the city were specific for the cyclists.

An early stop in the day, partially to duck out of the rain and at the request of my grandson, Lucas...Belgium style fries with toppings and beignets (a bit like our doughnut holes, only finer!).

This is a small taste o the colorful and beautiful architecture to be found all about the city.

More to come later on this.

No trip to Bruges would be complete without sampling the native waffles and hot chocolate. By this time it was pouring down rain, my granddaughter, Eva, was soaked from head to toe (and still in fine spirits! I'm afraid I can't say the same for me.)

Just look at these colorful cups of hot chocolate!

Good thing we got our self portrait before the deluge of rain.

After a long train ride home including 3 transfers and a two-stop metro adventure, we made it back to the apartment only to put the finishing touches on a good soaking all the way to the bone on the way home from the metro station.

This picture outside the Bruges train station says it all!

Paris Views

This is the view from our apartment window. In the heart of the city and within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, one can feel the excitement of Paris close at hand. There is a gourmet grocery store directly across the street that is open until 11:30pm and always teeming with activity. All needs from fine chocolate to cheese and exotic juices are close at hand!

A closeup of the fresh produce to be found at Carrefour, the local grocer.

Fabulous architecture is at every turn. Highly decorative doors are the norm, corbels and gargoyles abound, and ironwork dresses almost every window. I never tire of photographing these elements, although I'm not such an expert as Michelle or Fred!

Decorative iron, corbels and beautiful windows! A true delight to the eye. It's everywhere!

Even the rooftops are beautiful, and chimney pots are the norm. I'll show you a better photo of these later.

Most building have an angled corner like this! These views of the buildings are sometimes the most interesting. Window boxes are also the norm, and even this time of year can be seen brimming with geraniums and fancy ivies.

Color is everywhere and in assorted brights and pastels. This French bistro boasts pink and grey chairs. Oh so French.

Benches in bright green...

And last of all, for tonight, these colorful chairs in the metro! (The metro could be an entire post on its own. I'll have too do that!)

There's just not much not to love about Paris.