In Bruges

Bruges is a charming town nestled in the west of Belgium. Lots of people might not say its much relevant, but this actually turned out to be one of my favourite cities. Bruges is a great place to just walk around or take a quaint little boat ride. There's something about Bruges that is so funny though: it all kinda looks like Disneyland. The castlesque buildings that line the street all look like facades, and horse-drawn buggies (not exlcusive to Europe) all make it feel like The Happiest Place on Earth. Take a look around this beautiful city. Also - I got a bit video crazy in Bruges. I was by myself most of the time.

First morning I was here: I walked over so many small bridges that barely reached over canals. I dont know how some of those boats got under there.



Just sitting in a park, watching swans play. Swans are everywhere here - maybe even more than tourists.



Later on as I walked on by, I made a new friend:



On one of those famous Bruges boat rides.



What a great pictureque view here: there are about a half a dozen windmills on the outskirts of Bruges. Perfect for a jumping picture. Notice me artistic interpretation of the blades.



This record store sold old country and blues vinyl. Then I walked around the corner, and this door said "Honky Tonk". I have seen some pretty cool doors on this trip. But a door that says "Honky Tonk" just might take the cake.



I climbed the famous Bell Tower in Bruges. In addition to checking out the town from high above, there's also some bells up there:



Cloggy clog clog!



One of the fondest memories I'll have of this trip is just listening to street musicians. I passed this guy singing Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer". This put me in a lovely S&G mood all day.



I can go from zero to postcard in 2.8 seconds.



I went to a chocolate museum! Check out this chef showing us all how Belgiun pralines are made.



Going through the Chocolate museum:



Of course we got to sample. I think all museums, regardless of content, should end with a free piece of chocolate.



This totally a Disneyland shot. It's just so quaint here.



Bicycle anyone? So European: See the beautiful, non-polluted blue sky? Now look at their main form of transportation.



Walking around Bruges, I met another friend:



This chocolate shop is world famous. I got a box of assorted. Um. Wow. Still working my way through them...



Don't mess with me: Spiderman, Batman, and the Terminator got my back.



Off to Hamburg!

Rome is...

...authentic and magical. I loved this city. From the moment I stepped off the train, I knew it. This place is not Las Vegas - this is the real deal. Big city, brash romantic locals, and lots of old stuff. I wish I could type more here, truly. Its just that I had this WHOLE blog typed out and organized, and then it got deleted. (See "I Hate Computers" blog). Maybe Ill go back someday and update this blog, but for now Im not spending another 2 hours indoors doing this blog. Enjoy pictures and videos with short commentary.




First picture I took when I got to Rome. Notice the tourists walking by like "What in the world..."



How about a nice little tour?



Across the street is the Roman Forum. These white pillars are the remains of the circular building that used to house the Roman flame that the Vestal Virgins were charged to protect.







The house of the Vestal Virgins! If any of these 6 women were ever found to not live up to, uh, their namesake, they were dragged through the street and then buried alive. Ouch.





A tour of my Roman house:





The Roman Forum is so big. Dang, this commentary I wrote before was so much better.



This is an old stone that people used to stand up on and delcare new political views and opinions. Here, some random tourist indulged me and took this picture.




This old man and his granddaughter were having the best time. She was so excited about whatever she was talking about, and he was so happy to be feeling so young.



*Wink*



This jumping picture spawned several others right after I took this one. I'm to the Italians what the Spanish were to Latin America; except that instead of blankets and disease, I bring jumping pictures and sarcasm.





This skylight illuminates the whole interior of the Pantheon. When it rains, a cylinder of water falls straight down and escapes through ancient holes in the ground. When it rains, locals come by and check it out.



Here I am being a bonafide tourist. Im wearing one of those Whisper devices - our tour guide had a microphone that enabled her to talk to us all without shouting. So cool. But, if you find yourself wearing a Whisper device and walking in a group behind someone with a piece of fabric on a long stick in the air, you're a tourist, buddy.



The Trevi Fountain! Im glad thing isnt copied anywhere (as far as I know). So many people here throwing coins into the fountian over their left shoulder, wishing to come back to Rome. On Mondays, all the coins are collected and given to the Red Cross.




Yes I took a picture with this. No, I didnt buy it. Thank you, thank you.



This guy was so hilarious. He was dancing and shouting at cars in the middle of this plaza and making faces at anybody who looked his way. So what did I do? I ran over and joined him. Yes, there are pictures of that, but on another camera. Hopefully Ill get those soon.







Can anybody tell me where the catacombe is exactly located?





Here's just a cool view of the Collesium.





I had to wait for so many cars and vespas to pass by to get this shot. I think there is a vespa about one foot from the right side of the frame.



This is the Collesium floor. The gladiators and animals and slaves would prepare below stage here before riding an elevator to the stage for battle.





Here's the Big News Report from the Collesium.
Check out this link http://youtube.com/watch?v=CQq8uADJo_A for the official Big News version. If that like doesnt work, check out the field version here.



This is not a covert picture of the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. That's not my chin and hat.



This is not a better shot that I got from a different angle.



Vatican City! Two countries in one day. Check me out.



St. Peter's Basillica. This plaid shirt has been officially ordained by God.



I had such a great time in Italy with the Langs. Here we all are on the last night of their trip.



It's always a good time with Bob!




Yea Rome! Im behind on blogs.

Florence is....

....hot and naked. Ok, that sounds pretty scandalous. Lemme explain. Florence is by far the hottest city so far, hotter than Venice. There just isn't that much shade here, and whatever all the buildings are made of just radiates and reflects the sun so much that you get heat from every angle basically. As for the naked statues: I've seen more bits and pieces here than in a Woodstock documentary. And that's saying a lot, because naked statues are everywhere in Europe. I mean, come on, Michaelangelo's David alone is half the reason people come to Florence.

Ok, so, a bit behind on the blogs, so I will attempt to catch up now. Rome's wont be far behind.

Here is the Duomo church in the city centre. It's go green and pink and white marble all around. Pretty busy and colourful on the outside, which makes the sparce interior a surprising letdown. But a huge church, none the less.



Here's a scene from the top of the church's belltower. Everyone is an ant.



Looking out over Florence from the belltower:



Street musicians are everywhere in Italy. A great, free soundtrack to rustic cobblestone streets.



Not the real David, but at least you can photograph this one.



Peter Pan has probably got a legal case here.



I bet this guy feels soooo much better.



In the medevial town of St. Gigminano (Im spelling that wrong).

We eat cookies.




Then we eat ice cream. This was lunch.



This must have been the 3rd gelato of the day.



This fake boar's head was asking for a classic butt rubbing. Check!





This is where bikes and vespas lock up during the day (when they're not running you down). I love the fingerprints (locks) they leave behind.





Ceramic lemons enrapture me.




At one point, Bob and I started whistling the them to the Godfather. Then this guy stepped out of nowhere, lit his pipe. And followed us around for over 10 mins. He' totally CIA.




Pisa! So hot here. And crowded! There's the Leaning Tower in the background. Check this out: The nearby dome is also leaning slightly, and the main square church is sinking.



A classic picture you must take in Pisa. I opted for the 'I'm so strong is bores me' pose, but I got the 'come gimme a hand with this pose' - just in case this one breaks down.



Reporting 'live' for Big News from Pisa, Italy:



We all went to a monestary in Tuscany where six old monks live in isolation and make beer and spirits. I needed some pants, so I borrowed Bob's. They're just a bit big on me.



Kinda like the Last Supper, huh?



These aren't the real monks, but they sure tried to serve us that grain alcohol like it was going out of style!



I love catching people just blankly staring at the camera. They totally know they are being photographed, and they don't care. Had to document this though: see the bronze curved dish in the foreground? That's a change dish. Every cash register in Europe has one next to it. For some reason, they don't like to hand change over in your hand over here. Even if you hold out your hand, they just drop it in this tray.



In the Ufizzi gallery: lots of great art in here, but look closely, and you can see where everyone ends up.

A unique jumping picture here: one-handed povault! Check out Kim in the background just going "typical Brian".

This was so great and relaxing. As the sun went down (finally) in Florence, this guy played every possible note on the saxophone as newlyweds and tourists alike walked by.

Take a listen:

This merry-go-round was so cool. Just right out there and making everyone happy.

Jenny and I acting our ages. This seemed faster when I was smaller.

Next is Rome! Look for it soon. Ciao!