First Post from Belgium

Something is wrong with my belgium blog, so it is rerouted for the time being...

here goes:

So we made it! Whew! Let me give the quick rundown of how the trip has been thus far.

Our flight to Chicago went smoothly-however it was running around 20 minutes late. Not a problem, except that our connecting flight to Brussels left 60 minutes after our flight was supposed to arrive.... so we arrived, and by the time we taxied and got out of the plane, we had 20 minutes until final call. They made me check my carry-on in Utah, so I had to wait for them to retrieve it for me...Lance ran as fast as he could to the next terminal and begged them to hold the plane for me (princess treatment, Lance would say). Luckily they agreed and I made it to the gate literally as they were starting to shut the door. We checked our carry-ons again and raced into the airplane. I've never been on such a large aircraft - with so many classes. We walked through the first rank - each person had like their own cubicle with recliners and flat screens. Next rank, they didnt have recliners but they did have enough leg room for a 6''0 person to easily stretch out their legs, and they shared their space with one other person with huge flat screens per person. Next class the chairs looked normal like one might expect an airplane to be set up. However, in the first 10 rows the chairs were a little bigger with more legroom. Then the entire rest of the seats were like any normal airplane. As we kept walking and walking and walking to the back, and the further we went the more I felt like I was like Jack on the Titanic. Once we reached our seats, we noticed there were people in them, so we spoke to our adoable (male) flight attendant who (im pretty sure thought we were on our honeymoon) bumped us up to Economy Class - the one where you have 5 more inches of legroom. Hoorah! Except lance and i were put in the row with three seats, and since im way shorter than him, he got the isle.... here's a pretty accurate picture of what the person next to me looked like (heather I thought of you . hahaha)



let me be a little clearer, she actually was african american and was a mix of brenda and the homeless woman if they were morphed into each other. It wont make sense to you if you haven't seen Adventures in Babysitting. haha.

Anyway. The flight was only 8 hours. I brought Excedrin PM to help knock us out to help with jet lag and time adjustment. We landed fine and took the train immediately to Charleroi to meet a recent convert that works with the missionaries in Belgium every week - Patrick. (Let me tell you, lugging around 3 bags at 50 lbs each, two carry-ons and a back pack was NOT a piece of cake. Especially attempting to make the trains on time...and transferring twice) Patrick is one of Lance's favorite members, and he agreed to let us stay with him tonight and is also letting us leave our bags at his house while we backpack to Paris and the Swiss Alps the next 10 days (we're only taking 2 backpacks...I have a bittersweet feeling about that). Lance wouldn't let me nap because he said it would help me adjust quicker, so after we showered at Patricks, we got in the car to visit Namur-the first city Lance served in on his mission. I seriously loved it. Picture NYC style streets and shopping with the hustle and bustle, stores, unique boutiques, and incredible architecture. The vibe in the streets was so high.

We then walked down one of the streets and visited a huge cathedral (which sits at the base of a CASTLE). It was gorgeous, but I was anxious to visit the said castle. So we got back into the car and drove the zig-zag driveway up through the castle grounds. It was so amazing. Patrick told us it was atleast 1,000+ years old and told us how it was a fortress to protect the bridge that was near-by. Apparently if the bridge were to burn down/be destroyed it would have ruined the city of Namur's economy - theres a huge river that runs through it and the bridge provided means to bring in goods etc...so yes, they built the castle for the bridge, not the bridge for the castle. ha!

We came home and patrick made us frietes (fries) and biscuits/gravy and it was amazing. Serious carb heaven. hahah.

I am so tired. I feel like someone drugged me, but I am holding out alteast until i am done posting this to go to sleep.


THINGS I LIKE SO FAR:
Patrick and Belg Waffles from street vendors-


the amazing bakeries that are everywhere


the streets and alleys and shopping



The historical architecture


the adorable cafes




ONE thing i DONT LIKE so far:

DOG POOP all over the streets that you WILL step in if you're not watching. seriously. everywhere.




Here's the rest of the pictures of the day:

Mom this next one is for you - we went into this cool church converted into a mini flea market...they were selling hand knitted scarves. hahah lance thought of you and we took a picture. :)
look closer and the buzzer says ELDERS. this is where lance's first apartment was.

This ADORABLE restaurant inside the castle walls. so cool
behind them is a roman theatre that the Belgs illuminate at night. super cool