A few weeks ago we took the train to Belgium to visit our friends Kathy and Robert Ludwigs. Kathy always provides a “tourist program” for us…and they are always fun.
First on the Brussels agenda was hot chocolate at the King of Spain restaurant. Then we wandered through the Christmas Market that was in the middle of old town. It was chilly but not too cold.
We saw this vendor demonstrating his story puppets. There was a class of young students (and teachers) who really enjoyed his show!
The carousel was a piece of art work. It looked like Jules Verne, Star Wars and all sorts of fantastical creatures all rolled into one huge carousel. Kathy thought it might scare a young child…and it might!
Kathy had promised Robert H. raclette for dinner. I’m sorry we did not take a picture of it because it was tasty and fun. Have you ever eaten raclette? Kathy and Robert Ludwigs introduced us to raclette a few years ago. We call it entertainment food because you cook it at the table on a small grill. A little bit like fondue but it is with potatoes, meat,cheese,pickles, onions and a grill. Let us know if you want to try it and we will invite you over for dinner.
Friday we took the train to Antwerp so we could visit the Red Star Line Museum.
This museum is new, having just opened in September. It is the antithesis of Ellis Island, NYC. The Red Star Line Museum takes you on a journey as if you were an emigrant leaving your home and traveling to the New World. It is very well documented and the displays are wonderful. I wish there had been more English translations for us but we managed without them. They even had an electronic database where you could look up your ancestors to see if they traveled on a Red Star Line ship.
Do you remember seeing this Flash Mob from Antwerp? It was filmed in this train station. It is such a beautiful station with great glass windows and fancy trim work.
We made a quick stop at the Chocolate Line Kitchen to look and get warm.
Saturday found us enjoying a lazy morning and then heading to Brussels to visit the Tram Museum in the afternoon. We saw trams from horse drawn days all the way to today’s modern trams. After touring the museum we rode an antique tram on some of the older tracks in town. There were a lot of tram enthusiasts on the tram….sort of like our model railroad clubs at home, but these men were tram buffs. It reminded us of the saying, “Boys and Their Toys.”
One very important highlight of our trip was getting to meet Niklas, Kathy and Robert’s grandson. Niklas and his parents stopped by for a few minutes on their way home from a visit with Saint Nicholas. Niklas will become a big brother in February. Kathy and Robert are thrilled!
Sunday was the last day of our visit. We loaded the car and drove into town to peruse the flea market and antique stalls. We all enjoyed looking but did not find anything we “had to have.” Lunch was a rustic quiche and a light beer. We ate in a restaurant that overlooked the flea market. The entire roof was glass which helped keep us warm. We figured it would be miserable in the summer.
We returned home to Paris tired and happy. Not too tired though, as we got up bright and early Monday morning and took the train to Strasbourg, France to visit MORE Christmas Markets. There are about 12-15 markets in the Old Town. The crowds were not too bad but it was still very busy. We did a lot of looking. I think all we bought was a few Christmas ornaments. I would love to return to Strasbourg in the spring time of the year. It is a gorgeous city. Another reason to visit in the spring…it was FREEZING in December!
Our children and grandchildren arrived in Paris December 23rd to spend Christmas with us. That will have to be another post.
I always enjoy reading about your adventures and looking at the wonderful pictures. My favorite was the Chocolate Nurse! Enjoy your last days! Looking forward to having you home in a couple weeks!
I am almost ready to come home. Give me about 4 days….
Ginny,
Great images as always. The photo of the four of you at the Restaurant overlooking the market is excellent. I am TOO familiar with Kathe Wohlfahet, most of my “toys” from Germany came from there. There was a shop less than 2 hours from where we lived…way too convenient and easy to go spend money. The grilling your own food sounds like a fun thing and easy to chat up as well. Looking forward to your return.
I collect the pewter ornaments that she sells. I can’t afford but 1 or 2 a year! I also leave them out all year long so I get to enjoy them more. You will be on our raclette list as soon as we get home!
Never tried raclette, but it sounds great! I don’t think there’s much that could be bad with melted cheese:) You should have a raclette party when you’re back home and charge attendees a cover charge. If not, I’d like to tentatively pencil myself+3 in for an open Saturday.
Love, Anne
You will be the first on our schedule. That works just right because of course we have some goodies for the munchkins.
I know first hand that Kathy’s raclette is scrumptious. Your description is making me long for a raclette evening. If you keep taking reservations, you are going to have to borrow ours so you can run two tables! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
I saw a two person grill on Amazon. It may be part of my next order! As cold as it is in Georgia….I would be serving raclette tonight!
Your life sounds fabulous. So glad your blogging love living it through your posts and pictures.