The Weekend of Everywhere

In an effort to save money, I decided to spend last weekend doing smaller trips instead of a big one like normal. My new friend Claire and I decided to borrow some bikes to go to a town about an hour away called Arcen. We got great weather - kind of chilly and overcast, which meant that pictures came out well and we didn't get too hot biking everywhere. We spent a wonderful day walking around the town, we ate in a cafe where I had the best crepe/pancake thing ever and some amazing coffee, and then we took a trip to the Thermalbadden (Thermal Baths). I don't have pictures from that because obviously I wasn't about to take my camera into some giant steaming pools of water. But it was a lot of fun, aside from the fact that we may have been the youngest ones there? Also we were in for a bit of a surprise when we discovered that to go in the sauna section you have to remove your bathing suit. No thanks. Anyway, it was definitely a pleasant, cheap, and tiring day. In other words, a success! Here are some of my favorite pictures:

Some scenery from the trip there

We may or may not have stolen some corn to decorate our rooms with?

Exotic local fauna - this one's for mom!

The town of Arcen

My "hazelnut heaven" coffee...

...and my GIGANTIC crepe!

Another view of the town

Our trusty bicycles along the path outside of town.

I couldn't resist! They are so beautiful! Poor Claire...I made her stop every time we saw horses. You'd think after being around them for 13 years I'd be able to pass them by on the road, but sadly this is not true.

On Saturday and Sunday Kate and Andrew and I took a short trip to Bruges. I can safely say it's the best place I've been so far - an absolutely beautiful city with a really unique atmosphere. It reminds me of Boston, actually, in that it's quite a large city but it feels very intimate and very comfortable. Plus it was nice to have a small group where none of us had any real goals or touristy stuff to do. Instead we just really enjoyed ourselves - good food (OH MY GOD THE WAFFLES), good drink, plenty of walking around, lots of talking, and lots of relaxing. Plus, due to some strategic train-jumping, we were able to make it all the way there for only five Euro each. So overall, it was really a perfect experience. I learned a lot too, about the difference that people make in your experience, and the right kind of mindset to bring to a place like this. I'm glad there wasn't much to do - that ended up being the best part!

Unfortunately, next weekend is mid-terms, so I don't have anything planned. I have so much studying to do, but the castle is absolutely gorgeous in the fall so perhaps I will do a quick autumn-themed update. That is, if I survive the preparation I'm going to need for my tests. I guess we'll see!