Rose City Chocolates

We arrived to cosmopolitan Brussels with 3 lost bags and 1 missing person. One case went to Moscow, but all run away. Janice and I are leading a group of 39 perfect size, not too big to get lost in or too small for comfort.

Each July trip draws teachers who have faithfully followed me around the world and they love Europe. We started with a tour of light in the historic heart of capital, followed by a visit to the Chocolate Museum. I find this annoying, but the tastings were great.

If it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium. After breakfast, we began our walking tour on the morning of the 17th century, the Grand Place. It was actually 8:30 Sunday morning and I marveled that in over a dozen visits here, I've never seen this place so empty. It echoed in silence as tourists and residents slept had gone for the holidays. The sunlight brilliantly flooded the gothic cathedrals, classical facades and art houses New advanced. We were alone and it is breathtaking.

On Monday we visited this city proud and majestic, revealed in its royal palaces, cathedrals, museums and monuments. We see the headquarters of the European Union and the site of Expo 1958 with the Atomium in sterling silver. We photograph the Manneken Pis. [I never understood the love of this bronze statue, but it represents in Brussels. It is perhaps found in the irreverence of the artist.]

Paula was our guide during several days here. His knowledge of stellar history of Belgium in life, especially when King Leopold purchased the Congo as his personal playground. Paula deeply cared for her work and later invited us to visit another chocolate factory, but fully sated, we declined.

For free time we dispersed into tiny alleyways to intentionally lose. Some searched on beer halls or hot sugar waffles, as others shopped for tapestries at give-away prices.

Things get a little blurry from here. I took some notes on napkins throughout and managed to lose them all off. But my memory is good and we are heading towards the capital of Flanders and Bruges enchanting.

This city is a complete system of UNESCO World Heritage Site with a tranquil character that can not be described. People have done so much to protect its medieval sense, it provides the magical step back in time. It is called the "Little Venice" and we enjoyed a boat cruise through the maze of ancient canals that led to the Lake of Love.

We strolled in the streets lined with old houses with gabled roofs and the cathedral of Saint different and this saint.

The highlight of this trip for me was our tour of two hours on the city of bicycles. We looked like a motley crew as we headed into narrow cobbled streets and many bridges. As I peddled, I observed the group behind me. A woman is about 70, both are smoking cigarettes, Janice speaks to America on his cell and one unmentionable crashes in a car! She had to pay the driver for damages on the spot.

It took total concentration to cross the tram rails busy. This morning, we crossed Vodelpark and the Red Light District.

It is interesting to see the prostitutes as they woke up to get their coffee dressed in jeans and sneakers Holland is the land of freedom. With prostitution legal, my group is more curious about this issue. We laughed like Marilyn said, "Suzy, they all ask questions about sex. Are they frustrated?

I organized a walking tour professional tour of Red Light District in the oldest part of Amsterdam for the oldest profession in the world. Since the 1400s, the sailors dock to download. Guides and Gabriel Shuert boldly leads us through the streets half dressed ladies. No pictures allowed. We are told that some fear it'l.