LONDON, BRUSSELS, BRUGE, KEUKENHOF, AMSTERDAM AND PARIS
A FABULOUS SISTERS TRIP!!!
Meeting the Eurostar Express from London
Lindsey Paige Heather JordanWhat a thrill it was for us to welcome four of our married daughters, coming from Utah and Tennessee, for a short six day visit. We all regretted that our sweet Ashley could not make the trip, having just been here with the boys for Christmas. WE MISSED YOU ASHLEY!!!
We met the girls at the Midi Train Station at 10:30 p.m., having arrived after a day in London! They were a sight for sore eyes!!!!! We took the metro back to our Shuman stop, where Dad had parked our mini car to transport the bags, while the girls and I walked the block on the cobblestone sidewalks to our Square Ambiorix apartment. We were all so happy to see each other, that on the metro going home, we were all very chatty and laughing about everything, as they recounted their London adventures! We noticed that several usually stoic passengers were enjoying our exuberance, and they couldn't hold back their smiles. One particular fellow was from London, so he especially liked overhearing their tales of London town, and said so!!
OUR FAVORITE MARRIOTT CHEF
Early the next morning we took our favorite # 63 bus to downtown Bruxelles, for breakfast at the Marriott! It is like our second home, and we are there so often that the staff all greet us warmly by name, and gives us the VIP treatment! The girls couldn't believe it!!! Our good friend the Chef and a fabulous omelet maker, even took the time to leave his stove for a quick photo opt with our beautiful daughters!
We enjoyed a breakfast feast of waffles, omelets, buffet and anything our heart's desired, and then were surprised by the chef treating us to fresh fruit smoothies topped with strawberries, that are not even on the menu!! Many happy memories will go with us.
BRUSSELS STREET SCENE: WHAT IS MOM EXCITED ABOUT POINTING OUT?
With the Bruxelles Stock Exchange in the background, we enjoyed pointing out some of the scenes of the city! Belgium and much of Europe has had a late Winter so we were very happy to see the sun and a glimmer of Spring in the air.
THE BRUXELLES OPERA HOUSE
David and I try to attend the Friday afternoon concerts here in this
beautiful and ornate hall in the Opera House. These performances features members
of the Opera orchestra in duets, trios and small ensembles. It gives them a
chance to shine individually and display their superb musicianship.
This particular concert featured the piano, flute and cello.
It was beautiful, and allowed us all to sit back and enjoy the peace of the moment away
from the busy city outside. Afterwards, we struck this pose around the Steinway for a family picture and David could hardly refrain from playing his standard repertoire known so well to the family.
from the busy city outside. Afterwards, we struck this pose around the Steinway for a family picture and David could hardly refrain from playing his standard repertoire known so well to the family.
AN AFTERNOON JAUNT TO BRUGE
We spent the morning walking the streets of the Grand Place in Bruxelles, which was cold and rainy, and then departed on the train for an afternoon in quaint and charming Bruge . Despite the cold, we opted to go on the boat tour of the old canals of this medieval city with the Captain!
Following a tour of the Chocolate Museum and other interesting sites, we were tired, cold
and hungry and in search of a good place to eat! On one of the side streets, we finally came upon this small family restaurant called "Humpty Dumpty".... which turned out to be an awesome choice!!!!!!
Good food, great company and lots of fun with the owner family.
Once again, we were having so much fun laughing and interacting with the chef, son, mom and daughter, who were all family and staffed the restaurant, that when some of the customers had finished and were leaving, they stopped to chat with us also, and told us that they were with the Jehovah Witnesses! Notice that even the customer on the left is laughing with us! The meal was very good, and by the time we left, Paige had hooked the son up with her daughter's Facebook, had told the daughter about Morgan, and we were showing photos of our family. As we left, Paige and I tipped the waitress daughter five euros each, to go for the car she was saving for! (There is no tipping in Belgium, as it is always included in the bill.) WE HAD SO MUCH FUN there, that when we left we felt like they were "family"! There are really some good people out there!!! We are sending their contact info in for the missionaries to perhaps have lunch at "Humpty Dumpty's" too!
KEUKENHOF GARDENS OF HOLLAND
Early the next morning after another great breakfast at the Renaissance Marriott near the Parliament, we departed for a drive to Holland and the beautiful tulip fields of Keukenhof. Because of the cold spring here, the fields were three weeks away from fully blooming, however, we did enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens at the Visitors' Center that were groomed and planted for the thousands of annual visitors that come in April to see the tulips.
AMSTERDAM
unique canal system provides a ring of waterways resembling a spider web of mysterious looking
canals, restaurants, hotels and shops. We loved it!
THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE
The Anne Frank House at No. 263 Prinsengracht is a 17th century canal house. It is now well known as the hiding place of a young Jewish girl, Anne Frank, for 25 months during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Anne kept a diary which is now read throughout the world. It contains many
observations through the eyes of a 14-year old, who wished for a happy life which was so cruelly
denied her. She was just fifteen when the police burst into the house and arrested her Jewish family, deporting them to the infamous Bergen-Belsen death camp in Germany, where she died of typhus in 1945. Otto Frank, her father, survived and was later given the scattered pages of her diary by a Dutch woman who retrieved them from the floor after the family was arrested.
A very interesting life-style exists for those who live on houseboats tied up all along the canals throughout the city!
BACK TO BRUXELLES
We are always proud to introduce our family to the wonderful members of the Bruxelles 2nd Ward.
Our members come from Russia, Armenia, Congo, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, England, Peru, Brazil, Tanzania, and the United States.
Our members come from Russia, Armenia, Congo, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, England, Peru, Brazil, Tanzania, and the United States.
After Church, while I was at home preparing food for our Open House that evening, Dad took the girls to the Grand Place for one last visit. Here they are walking along the Galleria built
in the 19th century. It is a sunny day and "the Ambassador" is out for a stroll with his lovely daughters.
in the 19th century. It is a sunny day and "the Ambassador" is out for a stroll with his lovely daughters.
OPEN HOUSE
With everything beautifully arranged and prepared, we were finally ready to welcome our guest during the hours of 6:30-8:30
We have adopted our dear friend Regina and her daughter Louisa into our family!!
So glad to have a photo that includes my three dearest friends, Christina, Regina and Rebecca!!! I love them all! Christina is my nearby neighbor from Columbia, and my gym buddy! She has tutored me on the fine art of surviving and thriving in Bruxelles!! I don't know what I would have done without her! Regina is so much fun, and loved by all who know her! Her homeland is Zambia, and she is the friend you want to go shopping with! And my dear Rebecca is an angel from Switzerland, and feeds me spiritually by her example of Christ like service in working with the homeless.
I will never forget these three special ladies!!!
It was a lovely evening with many friends dropping by, and we are always happy to include the missionaries
(and to send them home with the leftovers!)
BEAUTIFUL PARIS
The Fabulous Bakeries of Paris!
(I'll take one of everything!)
(I'll take one of everything!)
There are Bakeries and Sweet Shoppes on every street!!!! Forget about the waistline when in Paris!!
Even with our great guide, we were often confused as to which way we should go!!!
Taking the famous "Red Bus Tour" in Paris is a must!!!
Here is a Parisian restaurant specializing in Escargot since 1832, at the same location along a fabulous side-street to which Lindsey directed us. As she said: "the most fun is to get off the beaten track and then just get lost!"
No trip to Paris would be complete for the Peterson family, without having dinner at the famous Restaurant de l'Entrecot. The restaurant has two sittings a night, and if you want to eat there you must stand in line at least a half hour before the doors open in order to get in!!
The only thing on the menu is steak with a "secret" green sauce, and Fritz!
....and they serve you with two helpings without asking! We have been
coming here for many years whenever we are in PARIS, and want to enjoy a good
French meal in the local style.
coming here for many years whenever we are in PARIS, and want to enjoy a good
French meal in the local style.
During dinner the girls let the waitress know that we were celebrating my upcoming
birthday. So when it came time for dessert, three "french maid waitresses" appeared at our table singing Happy Birthday, before my blowing out the flaming candle!! So Fun!!
What a Fabulous two days in Paris!!!!
We bid you a fond adieu from Notre Dame and the City of Lights!
Fabulous! We feel like we were there with you! We wish!! Thank you so much for sharing and letting us be part of your wonderful adventure. Much love, John and Nanci
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