ghent? gent?

September 22, 2012

I went to Ghent yesterday!! I know I've been here for two weeks already (!) but it still seems utterly crazy to me that I have this totally realistic ability to travel around Europe as I please. Sure, I've only done daytrips within Belgium thus far, but plans are in the works for greater trips abroad. And it's intimidating and exciting all at the same time. I'm in Europe. And I'm traveling... WHAT?!

So yeah, I went to Ghent (English = Ghent, Dutch = Gent). It's on the west side of Brussels, while Leuven is on the east, and the two cities are actually similar in that they're both university towns. Ghent is a little bigger and a bit more touristy than Leuven I'd say, but it was a similar atmosphere to what I've been experiencing in Leuven. There are also canals that run through the city, kind of giving it a similar look to that of Venice. One more note: you'll notice in some of my pictures have these really annoying wire-looking things running through them.. those are from the trams!! Pesky things.. but more on those later.

For now, a few touristy shots to give you a feel for Ghent..

The belfry

Canals & Ghent's pedestrian-ridden old city center

Old post office & Sint-Niklaaskerk

Going on the expedition to Ghent was me, Claire, Kelsey, Lincoln, and our new friend Dana! Claire, Kelsey and I got there a bit early and bought our tickets in plenty of time, but Dana and Lincoln were running a little late, so I got back in line to get their tickets so that they could just meet us on the platform.. BAD IDEA! I was stuck in line behind the lady who was apparently planning the most intricate, difficult trip and I almost missed our train! Thank goodness it was a few minutes late or else I would've been stuck on my own without my traveling companions :( but it worked out. Situation averted!

Our group! Lincoln, me, Dana, Kelsey, and Claire

We originally got the idea to go to Ghent because my roommate Claire had actually planned to meet her professor from Haverford in Ghent and have lunch and such. Professor Mudd was waiting to meet Claire at the train station and, consequently, he met the rest of us at the station too! It was actually really lucky for us, because he taught us that the station was actually pretty removed from the central part of the city and that we should take the tram in! He saved us an unnecessary 20-25 minute walk.. hooray!

It actually turned out that having Professor Mudd walk around with us was really beneficial. He was in Ghent teaching a short, intensive course, and he's done it for some number of years previously, so he's fairly familiar with the city. He actually ended up walking around with us to some of the sights, but he also let us explore on our own too, which was nice.

Market + Sint-Jacobskerk

Our first stop was to check out a farmer's market/flea market that they hold each Saturday in the large pedestrian city center (largest pedestrian center in all of Europe!). We barely had time to get through the first few stands before it started pouring down rain! I guess that's just Belgium for you.. but we pulled out our umbrellas and sought refuge in a nearby church - Sint-Jacobskerk.

You can see the storm moving in over the top of these beautiful buildings

My first-ever fig! Bought fresh at the market

The "Famous Nose of Ghent" .... essentially, a jelly bean

Sint-Jacobskerk

The Belfry

After a quick lunch of a sandwich and frites, we met back up with Claire and Professor Mudd. Prof Mudd highly suggested that we should go to the top of the city belfry - that it was definitely worth it. I climbed enough stairs getting to the high towers and domes of churches when I was in Italy, so I was definitely up for it, but the belfry in Ghent had an elevator. Heck yes. Prof Mudd was right - the views were worth it. What a beautiful city. 

TINY elevator on the way up...

Sint-Niklaaskerk

GHENT

Sint Baafskathedraal

Yes, a real-life castle

Gravensteen Castle, to be exact. It was built in 1180.. so I'd say that's fairly old. It's probably really bad.. but I don't really know much about the castle itself. Besides the fact that it was built for some Prince guy. I was more-so excited for the fact that I was in a castle! Isn't that every girl's dream.. to grow up and be a princess and live in a beautiful, big castle? No? Maybe just me. Either way.. it was pretty neat. Exactly what I'd always imagined...

Myself, Claire, and Dana atop the Gravensteen

Sint-Michielskerk

We had a bit more time before we had planned to meet back with Claire's professor, so we stopped inside St. Michael's just to check it out, and it was gorgeous. It was very quiet, seemingly not a very touristy spot - or at least not when we were there. There were people wandering through, but remaining very quiet and respectful and all the while there was this soft, sacred music playing over everything.. and I loved it. Yay churches

Sint Baafskathedraal... and some waffles 

We met back up with Claire's professor and he showed us where to find the BEST Belgian waffles that Ghent had to offer. Now, I haven't had all the waffles that Ghent has to offer, but the one that I did eat was so delicious. I mean, all of my waffles I've had so far have been delicious.. but still! They just seem to get better and better. 

Then we went to Sint Baafskathedraal! Are you starting to get the drift that I kinda like churches? Yeah, kinda sorta.. anyway, we went to Sint Baafskathedraal (Saint Bavo) because Prof Mudd told us that it had THE most beautiful art behind the main altar.. or at least it was his favorite piece of art. Well, turns out that the area where this piece of art is was closed off! Boo. So we didn't get to see it. But that's okay! Saint Bavo's was actually different from the other churches we went to in Ghent because it had this cool little museum in the basement with art and artifacts and things.. very cool. 

Looking up from the front door.. kinda tall, huh?

The "museum" part of the basement

I couldn't get over these majestic arches! So beautiful.

Sorry for being creepy.. but this was the most precious thing ever!! This couple was standing at the feet of Mary and praying the rosary together. And I loved it. 

 

 Saint Damian! He's the saint that my street in Leuven is named after, and the church

 that bears his name and also his tomb is about a twenty second walk from my house. 

He's also the only Belgian saint - fun fact!

Ghent by "boot"

We saw Ghent by "boot!" Or by boat, as you might say in English. We had been walking walking walking all day, and it was lovely to just sit back and take in the sights via the beautiful canals that run throughout the city. Definitely one of my favorite parts of the day. 

Our boat left around 6pm - dinnertime! And there were people situated all along the canals, by themselves or in groups, enjoying the weather and the beauty of Ghent. 

I LOVED these flowers that were all along the canals

The boat trip was our last big, planned event of the day. Our group decided to grab some dinner in Ghent before catching the train home, and it was actually our first real meal out to dinner - we've really gotten accustomed to cooking for ourselves in our home!! Yes, we've gotten quick sandwiches or something at times when we've been out, but this is the first time we sat down and had a really good and actually Belgian meal! Dana and I split the "Gentse Stoverij," which was essentially like a beef stew cooked in beer? Or something of the likes. A traditional dish apparently, and it was DELICIOUS! It reminded me of eating at home back in the States with my mom's cooking :)

While at dinner, and eventually making our way back to the train, some beautiful pictures of Ghent at night..

Sint Baafskathedraal

The belfry

Looking back at the square, Sint Baafskathedraal on the right

The main canal at night - I love the reflection!

So that's Ghent in a nutshell! Or maybe not so much of a nutshell... it appears as though I've gotten in a habit of long-winded posts. Sorry! But not really that sorry.. I just have so many things I want to share!

Classes start this week!! Tuesday, actually. So that's exciting. But probably nothing too interesting being posted until my daytrip next week to the Netherlands! Until then... much love from Leuven!