Museum Leuven
So, the game plan today was to wake up kind of early and go to an art museum before meeting up with a University group for a walking tour around the city. Turns out, we didn't leave Vives until about noon... oops? We were still able to go to the art museum - Museum Leuven - for a couple of hours, though. It was really nice! A combination of classic & contemporary art. There was also a "rooftop terrace" with some lovely views of the rainy city.
Rooftop view!! That's the University library in the background.
Sint-Michielskerk
This was the part of the day that we were SUPPOSED to have met up with a big University tour group. We thought the meeting place was at Sint-Michielskerk (The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel), but apparently we were wrong. While waiting, we decided to go inside and peek around at the church. Once we'd waited long enough and decided that yes, we had gone to the wrong meeting point, we decided to stay and have a longer look at Sint-Michielskerk.
There was a big tourist desk with all kinds of information pamphlets and things, so we went toward that for some pointers. The man working at this desk came around to the front and started speaking to us in Dutch - a typical occurrence. After explaining that we spoke English, he proceeded to tell us all about the different types of pamphlets that were available. He also told us about each of the other churches in Leuven. He was such a sweet old man.
Kelsey, Claire, and I started walking around on our own, but I returned to the desk for a handout that explained details of the church. While I was at the desk, the man approached me again and softly asked if I would like him to just walk with me around the church to explain things. OF COURSE I DID! So that's what happened. Like I said, this man was such a blessing.
Herman! Yes, his name was Herman. So fitting.
The main nave. The "dome" that was never finished.
Sint-Michielskerk is a Jesuit church, which maintains the
Latin phrase "For the greater glory of God."
There are holes in these Stations of the Cross paintings around the Church
due to a bombing in WWII that caused the entire ceiling to collapse and
shrapnel to fly toward and puncture the original paintings.
Due to damage and restoration, holes have been drilled in the supporting
pillars and the foundation is checked each year.
Ornate, one of a kind, wooden confessionals. Beautiful organ!
The church is completely unheated, even today, and this is the only confessional that has a built-in, coal heater. Herman told us it was always for the "chief," or pastor.
The facade of the church was made to mirror the shape and structure
of the main altar within the church. The exterior is often referred to as
"the outer altar" because of the resemblance.
We left the church in high spirits not only after witnessing the beauty within, but also because of the genuine kindness of our tour guide, Herman! Belgians in general have been kind and understanding with us as Americans, but he was so forthcoming and went out of his way to not only tell us the facts about the church, but he also gave us fun details that went beyond the simple facts and he told us about many other things that Leuven has to offer. I LOVE nice people.
Lunch
Okay, so I seriously wish I remembered the name of this restaurant!!! But I can't. But it was so good that I know I'll be back.. so I'll let you know about that later.
My Belgian buddy had told us about this restaurant though, and how it had wonderful food, the BEST hot chocolate, and how we just had to try it! What made it even better is that it had extensive outdoor seating, lots of heat lamps, and blankets laid over each of the chairs. Perfect.
So, of course, we got the hot chocolate that my buddy had recommended, and we were not disappointed. They brought us HOT milk pieces of real Belgian chocolate and we made our own hot chocolate, right at the table. IT WAS SO GOOD. And the food I got was delicious. Definitely returning there. And next time I'll remember the name!
Tourist-ey Pictures
Sint-Pieterskerk in the main square, Grote Markt.
Kelsey & I
My wonderful new friends! Claire (my roommate) and
Kelsey in front of Stadhuis (Town Hall).
The Stadhuis and Sint-Pieterskerk are both in the main square of the city of Leuven, and are two of the most well-known figures of the city. The rest of our day was spent shopping and wandering around the city.. the norm.
Earlier this week... Oude Markt.
Oude Markt is another square or plaza in Leuven that's close to where I'm living. Oude Markt, however, differs from Grote Markt quite a bit. While Grote Markt has the iconic buildings as seen above, Oude Markt is known primarily for it's bars. It's actually known as the longest bar in Europe, but it's really just this huge plaza with bar after bar after bar. It should get a lot crazier in a couple weeks once all of the thirty thousand students get here, but on Wednesday I got my first taste of the Oude Markt in the form of a beer called Duvel.
I think that's all for now! Just a kind of quick update. Hooray! Since we have this weekend free from any orientation activities, we're thinking about heading to Brussels for the day tomorrow - less than twenty minutes by train!
Sending my love to those at home...
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