FAMILY TIME: belgium

It's true.. I've officially left Leuven. My time as a study abroad student is FINISHED. I can hardly believe it. But I think that I've had enough of me using this blog as an outlet for my sad feelings about leaving Leuven, and I'm sure that you don't want to read any more depressing posts, right? Right.

THEREFORE, I give you the Bowers family. Taking on Europe by storm.
Quite literally.. it rained the ENTIRE first day.

This epic adventure will be delivered to you in three, likely lengthy, parts - Belgium, Paris, & London. The three legs of our journey! So, part one: Belgium!!

12.22.2012, Saturday - Arrival & Leuven!

I woke up at the CRACK of dawn to head to the airport with Claire & Kelsey - their flights were leaving around 10 & 11, and the Bowers fam was set to get in at 11:05, so the timing was perfect! The normally twenty-minute walk took us around thirty-five or forty, laden down with Claire & Kelsey's luggage. What a joy. But we made it! And made our train, so that's what's important. 

I've probably spent the most time with Claire & Kelsey during my time abroad, so it was weird to say goodbye and come to the realization that I'm not going to be seeing them everyday anymore! But Pennsylvania isn't that far from Indiana, right?

Then came the dreadful waiting for my family.. about two hours that consisted of me aimlessly wandering, napping, and tapping my toes in anxious excitement for them to finally arrive!

The thirty-five minutes after their plane supposedly landed seemed like an ETERNITY.. but then they were walking toward me! My family was finally in Belgium!! I could hardly contain myself. I was just so happy to have my family walking toward me! I made a sign and everything, just in case they had forgotten what I looked like, and that was that - they were there!

Hello, family!
You can't read the sign, but it just said, "The Bowers Family."

After getting to our hotel in Brussels, we were on our way to Leuven! I couldn't wait to show my family my home for the past three months. Except it was POURING. I'm not exaggerating.. hurricane-like winds, pouring rain, and bitter cold. What a warm welcome, eh? I was kinda sad that they weren't getting a very good first impression of Leuven, but they insisted that they loved it.. probably because I've been raving about it for the past three months..

Unfortunately, due to the rain, it was hard to take very many pictures! However, my mother managed to snap a few...

It's fun to see the pictures that my Mom took - views that she thought were beautiful and exciting. It allowed me to get a new perspective on places that I've been seeing everyday for the past three months. 

The Oude Markt

Introducing the fam to some tasty Belgian beers!

Family pictures.. uhh.. darkness?

Then we had to go to Vives and get all of my luggage.. oops. 

Two suitcases, two backpacks, and one grocery bag later, and we were off! 

Luckily I've got my family to help disperse my things on the flights back to the states...

Everyone was pretty sleepy, and a little bit sick, so we headed back to Brussels pretty early to gear up for our big adventure the next day.. Brugge!

12.23.2012, Sunday - Brugge

I forced my family up the next day, much in opposition to their jet lag, so that we could get on our way to our day trip to Brugge! We were off to see the Christmas markets, Belfry, and historic city.. and to savor some of the culinary delicacies along the way. Also, we met up with Alexander! It was fun for my family to meet him, and again to spend time with a Belgian guide. The day in photo form!

Hanging out at the train station.. my family was wowed at my ability
to maneuver the Belgian train system, thank you very much.

First stop? Gluhwein!
If Alexander thought that I took a lot of pictures, well.. he hadn't met my Mom yet.

Megan & Mom headed up into the Belfry, while Alexander, Dad, and I headed to...

The Garre! A specialty bar in Brugge that serves a beer of the same name, 

and is the only place in the world to serve it!

The bar is the only address on this little side-street/alley.. it's pretty neat to just get there. 

Cute, Brugge buildings, above, and the Berg below! 

Hey, I've been here before!
Family picture - I swear we're on the lookout for next year's Christmas card...

SISTERS.

This picture looks familiar...

Everyone!

Typical...

We saw a parade!!

Couldn't get enough of those canal shots...

Don't they look fabulous?

Megan liked the canals too..

The oldest bridge in Brugge?
Okay, I can dig it. 

My Dad had no idea that Alexander was standing up there...
lolz.

Momma Bowers!

The Church of Our Lady!

& the interior

No time for a brewery tour, but we headed to the brewery cafe for

another Brugge beer.

Christmas markets by night - so many beautiful lights!

Evening Belfry!

And that was Brugge! My family loved it, and I had a lovely time spending the day not only with my family but also with one of my favorite Belgians! It was kinda fun, too, because since I'd already been to Brugge, I kinda knew my way around.. a little bit. I felt all-powerful! It was fun to be able to show my family around yet another city! Tomorrow - Brussels!

12.24.2012, Monday - Brussels

We only had a short bit in Brussels on Monday morning (Christmas Eve! Ah!) before having to leave to catch our train to Paris, but that was still enough time to indulge in a classic Belgian broodje, frites, and a waffle.. oops?

Showing my family that frites on-the-go really are better than the ones in the restaurant.

St. Michael's

Kinda precious, right?

View from St. Michael's looking toward the Grote Markt.

In the Grote Markt!

In front of Manneken Pis.. dressed up like Santa!
How fitting, Merry Christmas Eve!

Then it was quick back to our hotel to do some last minute packing, and off to Brussels Midi so we could catch our train to Paris!

And just like that - my time in Belgium officially ended. How weird is that?

No worries.. I WILL BE BACK. That's a promise. 

The day continued in Paris - but I'll save that one for later. 

Merry Christmas, everybody!