On the Road to Bruges

Day 85
Saturday, March 26, 2011
We met Gio and Kate downstairs at 0600 and hit the road for Bruges, Belgium. The trip wasn't too bad, the weather was perfect, the traffic was light, and other than the GPS acting up and going a little out of our way to find an "Esso" station, we had a blast along the way.

We arrived at Hotel Gulden Vlies around 1430 and once we checked into our rooms, we relaxed for a while before cleaning up and changing clothes to go exploring.

Our room on the second floor

We walked around for a while, taking pictures and just admiring the architecture. There was so much to see and so many people on bicycles. We became very thirsty so we stopped by a pub and had a couple of beers.

Known as the Venice of the North, Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It was a justified motive that prompted UNESCO in 2000 to include the entire historical city centre on the World Heritage list. Walking along the maze of winding cobbled alleys and romantic canals, you imagine yourself to be in medieval times. The wealth of museums is a striking image of this city's stirring history.

The restaurants in Bruges which offer gastronomic cuisine and the exclusive hotels are a true feast for those who enjoy the good things in life.

Rabbit from Restaurant Erasmus

We enjoyed a three-course meal at the "Beer Restaurant" Erasmus, which was part of our hotel package, "Bruges for Beer loves." Out of pocket this meal would have cost us each 32 euro excluding drinks, our bill ended up being 32 euro for all four of us to dine and was absolutely delicious.

Chocolate Mousse

Our first day in Bruges was amazing, we couldn't wait until the morning to see and do more.




Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
~William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, 1600

Any day that ends in Gelato is a Winner

Day 84
Friday, March 25, 2011
Today I had a doctor's appointment in Sindelfingen with professor Kessler (that's what the Germans call their "specialists." I was given a prescription (Rezept) for two drugs that I've never heard of, maybe because they were in German. I took them to an Apotheke near my house to get filled. This was my first visit to an Apotheke (pharmacy) in Germany and I was excited!

German Pharmacy

Later I went tanning, and then Matt and I drove to the Gelato shop down the street and enjoyed two scoops on a cone as we walked around the area. The weather was chilly but the sun was still out so we didn't mind.

Gelato

We went home to pack for our vacation to Belgium, we were getting picked up early in the morning by Gio and Kate, and we wanted to be ready.





It's a mere moment in a man's life between an All-Star Game and an Old-timers' Game.  ~Vin Scully

Coffee makes me Happy

Day 83
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Today I woke up at 0900, opened all the windows and made a pot of coffee. I was in my "happy place" as I worked on my school work until 1330. Then I got in the shower to drive over to Patch Barracks to pick up my authorization from the medical clinic so I could go see Dr. Kessler on Friday for my pain management therapy session.

I stopped by the commissary before leaving Patch and picked up some snacks for our road trip on Saturday with Kate and Gio to Bruges, Belgium.

For dinner I made a large salad with chicken breast and Matt ate left overs from the night before. I just didn't feel like cooking and Matt really wanted some more enchiladas so we both won.

We went to bed around 2130 and watched an episode of Family Guy, and The Middle on his lap top.






Is there life before death?  ~Author Unknown

Great food after a Great Workout

Day 82
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
After feeling tired the past couple of days, I really thought a nice long gym session, burning 750 calories would wake me up, so I headed to the Panzer Fitness Center and did just that. It felt amazing! Afterwards I took a shower and headed to the Commissary to pick up some things for dinner. I made Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas with black beans and refried beans. They were hands down the best I had ever had, I was so happy with myself and Matt loved them too.

After dinner, Matt and I just hung out on the couch holding each other for a while and talking about the future. I later got online and helped my friend Shari search for plane tickets to the states.

Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness.  ~Jean de La Bruyère

Career changes in Mind

Day 81
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I was up and out of bed by 0615 this morning but I was still exhausted when we left for work at 0715. Matt dropped me off at my building and then headed to work himself...his building is not far from mine so we drove in together.

My kind of alarm clock!

Work went well and I was off by 1500. I submitted my application and resume for a part-time job administering tests with the University of Maryland University College, before Matt came to pick me up. I  first drove him back to work before heading home to relax.

While I was enjoying laying on the couch and watching TV, the cable went out thanks to the construction workers digging up the ground all around our building. I was not in the mood for much of anything by the time Matt came home, so we ate a quick dinner and watched Taking Lives before heading to bed.

Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.  ~William Hazlitt, On the Love of Life, 1815

Road Trip with Shari-Take II

Day 80
Monday, March 21, 2011
At 0515 this morning I met Shari at the front gate so we could drive to Frankfurt for her Visa appointment to study in the united States. I am not a very good morning person but I wanted to be there for my friend as she began the next step in her life. The last thing that she needed before buying a one-way ticket to the states, was approval of her Visa. She was so nervous and I was so excited for her, I wanted her to get approved for her Visa as much as she wanted it.

After the two-hour road trip with very little traffic, we arrived at the U.S. Consulate building an hour early for her appointment. Shari parked the car, left me in it, and took all her paperwork with her. I fell asleep for about an hour while she was doing whatever she was doing inside. When she came out, I was barely awake but I could tell she wasn't in a bad mood...she had been approved for her Visa! I screamed, I was so excited for her.

Heidelberg

We left Frankfurt around 1000 and headed to Heidelberg to check out the enormous castle which was kind of on the way home. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Heidelberg Castle

It is located 80 metres (260 ft) up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. It is served by an intermediate station on the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway that runs from Heidelberg's Kornmarkt to the summit of the Königstuhl.

The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections.

Courtyard

I was back home by 1430 and I really wanted to take a nap but because I had to work the next morning I decided to stay awake, paint my nails, and head to bed early.





Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is once past, there is no recalling it.  ~Jonathan Swift

Shopping and School Work Sunday

Day 79
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Matt and I decided to hit up the Panzer Fitness Center this morning to start the day off right. I worked out on the Elliptical machine burning over 700 calories while Matt "owned" the weight room. I love going to the gym with my husband, even though we never work out together. It's just nice to know we both enjoy something as good for our health as staying fit and active.

After the gym, I met up with my friend Michelle K and we headed over to the Stuttgart Community Spouses Club annual Spring Bazaar to do a little shopping. I bought some gifts for my family and friends back in the states and then just as we were about to leave, I spent $85 on specialty Liquor...not what I needed or had intended to buy today. The vendor was Mischler & Raudonat and they are well known for their award winning products. I even picked up a really cool birthday gift for Matt, I can't wait to give it to him.

Michelle and I had a blast at the Bazaar and we hit up the Commissary and Sonnen Studio (tanning salon) before heading back home where I worked on school work and laundry until bed time.





Time wears all his locks before;
Take thy hold upon his forehead;
When he flies, he turns no more,
And behind his scalp is naked.
~Robert Southwell