Just when we thought we wouldn’t be in for any more surprises, we were wrong. The next day, we went down to be greeted by Jef in the kitchen, with breakfast fully-prepared on the table. And it was not only the matter of variety, but goodness, the presentation of it all; from the toaster to the loaf of bread close to it, the choices of fillings from different kinds of cheese, two or three choices of Tunas, chicken chunks, crabmeats, hams, to jams of different kinds, peanut butters and my much loved Chocolate Nutella. We ate our breakfast delightfully.
Breakfast Spread
After breakfast, Jef drove to the nearby train station and parked his car at the designated packing lot as he would be joining us to Ghent.
Victorya, Paul and Jef
Among the things we did in Ghent in no particular order were:-
1) Visiting castles; though we did not enter some because there was an admission fee, (we were traveling on a tight budget) and most castles require admission fee. So, we only got to admire the exteriors of the castles which were fine for us.
4) Red light districts; so this one was shocking yet nevertheless, interesting to me for I’ve imagined how a ‘red light districts’ will look like; women (or men if you know what I mean) out in the street with skimpy outfits, heavy make ups, making cat calls to passing men hoping to seduce them. But this one, in Ghent, each woman (most in lingerie) was exhibited behind different wide windows; some were sitting down on a chair or a bed while some where milling about with the little space they had, just looking either smug or seductive. We didn’t take any pictures when walking along the Red Light streets. Perhaps, we subconsciously respect the individuals’ privacy.
5) Streets of Ghent; of course the most enjoyable part was just walking along the streets of Ghent and we were lucky that Victorya was there to guide us around because not only she brought us to the highlights of the city but she also shared with us stories/histories about various parts in the city of Ghent. She also knew the short cuts to various places in the city. So, we often found ourselves in a narrow, crooked and isolated alley in between walls that hold old brick buildings sturdy. And it was only then, with the absence of cars, and modern civilization, that one can truly appreciate history in all its essence.
Anyway, Paul and Jef were tagging all along. They like to tease Victorya. Especially Jef. And soon, Oliver started to tease Victorya as well. Poor Victorya. J We took a break from our walk twice; one for lunch at some soup corner, and another time in a bar, to taste some local beers. Shortly after lunch, Paul had a bad stomach-ache and he had to leave. So, we continued on with Jef and Victorya.
When it was already six in the evening, we had to go back to the train station to catch a train back to Olen. It was only then, in the train on the way to Olen, that I realized how tired I was but we both agreed, that it had been a great day and we were both thankful to have met Victorya, Paul and of course, Jef.
That same night, we had another nice dinner; Belgian Fries and each one of us had our own pot of half a kilo of mussels.
Speaking of Belgian Fries, you know how we are so used to calling them French Fries? So Jef was telling us a story, Fries is originally from Belgium. The story tells that back then in the 16th century, Belgians were accustomed to accompanying their meals with small fried fish. During winter, when the river was frozen and they were unable to fish, they cut potatoes lengthwise and fried them in oil to accompany their meals. How the term ‘French Fries’ came about was because when the American and British Army came to Belgium during World War 1, they had the chance to taste the fries and since French was the official language for the Belgium Army at that time, hence, they called it ‘French Fries.’ Interesting, right? That’s ‘Introduction of French Fries 100’ for you folks.
Anyway, dinner was fulfilling to the point that Oliver and I had to forego our desserts which was supposed to be home made Belgium Waffles. When we told Jef that we would like to skip desserts for that night, we had the impression that Jef was a little upset. So, we promise that he could make us waffles the next night and that assured him, in a way.
And so, there goes our second day in Belgium. Next, Bruges.
After breakfast, Jef drove to the nearby train station and parked his car at the designated packing lot as he would be joining us to Ghent.
Once we arrived at the train station in Ghent, we met Victorya and Paul, a married couple, local Belgians, and fellow couch surfers. Victorya was the one who first recommended Jef to me and for that, I am eternally grateful to her. Victorya agreed to guide us around in Ghent and also Bruges the next day.
Victorya, Paul and Jef
Exploring the city of Ghent was like entering a time machine that brought us way back to 15th century. Minus the cars and contemporary cafes and boutiques, everything else about Ghent is ancient or looks ancient. From the streets, the river canals, the shop houses to the castles, gothic style cathedrals and museums galleries. Even the carriage horses look mighty old.
Among the things we did in Ghent in no particular order were:-
1) Visiting castles; though we did not enter some because there was an admission fee, (we were traveling on a tight budget) and most castles require admission fee. So, we only got to admire the exteriors of the castles which were fine for us.
2) Cathedrals; it was almost a breathtaking experience walking down the aisles just staring in awe at the beautiful paintings, on the side of the aisles, on the ceiling, the colourful tinted glass panels high up on the wall, the wooden carvings that made up the altar as well as the artistic details to further glorify each corner of the walls, beams of the ceilings and the marble statues of Christianity figures. Most cathedrals in Ghent adopted the Gothic Style Interior, giving one a subdued impression when entering the cathedrals.
3) Art Gallery; one of the local art gallery in Ghent was featuring an artist; Walter. Brems. It was easy to identify his theme; subdued, purple, sexuality, a bit of ‘blast in the past’ or ‘déjàvu’ feeling in it. He, the artist, seemed to have a muse on a particular girl who was in many of his art displays. We were not allowed to take pictures in the art gallery. (But, I stole a snap. Only one.)
4) Red light districts; so this one was shocking yet nevertheless, interesting to me for I’ve imagined how a ‘red light districts’ will look like; women (or men if you know what I mean) out in the street with skimpy outfits, heavy make ups, making cat calls to passing men hoping to seduce them. But this one, in Ghent, each woman (most in lingerie) was exhibited behind different wide windows; some were sitting down on a chair or a bed while some where milling about with the little space they had, just looking either smug or seductive. We didn’t take any pictures when walking along the Red Light streets. Perhaps, we subconsciously respect the individuals’ privacy.
5) Streets of Ghent; of course the most enjoyable part was just walking along the streets of Ghent and we were lucky that Victorya was there to guide us around because not only she brought us to the highlights of the city but she also shared with us stories/histories about various parts in the city of Ghent. She also knew the short cuts to various places in the city. So, we often found ourselves in a narrow, crooked and isolated alley in between walls that hold old brick buildings sturdy. And it was only then, with the absence of cars, and modern civilization, that one can truly appreciate history in all its essence.
Anyway, Paul and Jef were tagging all along. They like to tease Victorya. Especially Jef. And soon, Oliver started to tease Victorya as well. Poor Victorya. J We took a break from our walk twice; one for lunch at some soup corner, and another time in a bar, to taste some local beers. Shortly after lunch, Paul had a bad stomach-ache and he had to leave. So, we continued on with Jef and Victorya.
When it was already six in the evening, we had to go back to the train station to catch a train back to Olen. It was only then, in the train on the way to Olen, that I realized how tired I was but we both agreed, that it had been a great day and we were both thankful to have met Victorya, Paul and of course, Jef.
That same night, we had another nice dinner; Belgian Fries and each one of us had our own pot of half a kilo of mussels.
Speaking of Belgian Fries, you know how we are so used to calling them French Fries? So Jef was telling us a story, Fries is originally from Belgium. The story tells that back then in the 16th century, Belgians were accustomed to accompanying their meals with small fried fish. During winter, when the river was frozen and they were unable to fish, they cut potatoes lengthwise and fried them in oil to accompany their meals. How the term ‘French Fries’ came about was because when the American and British Army came to Belgium during World War 1, they had the chance to taste the fries and since French was the official language for the Belgium Army at that time, hence, they called it ‘French Fries.’ Interesting, right? That’s ‘Introduction of French Fries 100’ for you folks.
Anyway, dinner was fulfilling to the point that Oliver and I had to forego our desserts which was supposed to be home made Belgium Waffles. When we told Jef that we would like to skip desserts for that night, we had the impression that Jef was a little upset. So, we promise that he could make us waffles the next night and that assured him, in a way.
And so, there goes our second day in Belgium. Next, Bruges.
