We were driving for quite a while when I saw a sign over the highway indicating we were crossing from France into Belgium.

How fun and curious.

There was no border check.  I was a bit surprised how open and inviting it was.

We weren’t in Belgium long before we came upon a welcome center that offered food and beverages.

A bathroom break and a fresh cuppa was much needed, so we pulled in and parked.

I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland; everything was in Dutch including the coffee, but I could easily understand it was “café”.

I decided to forgo tea and try a cup of coffee.

Looking over the machine, it seemed relatively simple. All I needed to do was push a button for my coffee selection.

I swiped my credit card, pushed the button and the machine went to work.

When my coffee was ready, I opened the door to retrieve it also looking for a stirrer which I quickly realized was dispensed through the coffee machine.

But how??

I stood there looking at the icon for the stirrer for a few seconds, trying to figure out how to make it work.

Suddenly a man appeared beside me, reached past, and pushed a tiny button.

Out popped the stirrer waiting for me to pull it free.

Very clever!

I felt a little silly not realizing I needed to push the tiny button, but I knew it wasn’t the man’s intention to make me feel that way.

He was simply looking to help.

For a moment I wished I spoke Dutch so I could properly express my appreciation for his help.  But somehow, I think he already understood.

My nature is to make sure people know what I mean with the probability of overstating the obvious.

I’m learning it’s not necessary.

I looked up at him, smiled and said thank you.

He smiled with a nod and returned to his friends as I rejoined my surrogate English family, who appeared as ready as I was to get back on the road to our destination of which I still hadn’t a clue.

I was beginning to discover how much fun it could be not knowing all the details and simply experiencing the magic as it unfolded.

Once again, we were in the car and back on the road.  I have a new appreciation for GPS seeing how incredibly helpful it is while driving through France and now Belgium.

It makes the drive so much easier.

I continued to take in the surroundings as we drove enjoying the new landscape.

I found myself thinking about all the sheep I encountered in England.

I still miss them; they were a steady constant in my journey through the English countryside.

Belgium was already very different from France.

I was deep in my thoughts when suddenly I looked up to see a sign saying we had arrived in Bruges!

Once again, I was in LOVE.

I felt like I stepped into a time where “romance / storybook-ish meets old-world charm” with wide cobblestone streets at the main intersections.

There was a medieval vibe to the architecture, but it didn’t feel old or imposing.

It felt very warm and inviting.

And there was that feeling again.

I could live here!

I felt it deeply and I’m only seconds into exploring this beautiful city.

The buildings were stone, each unique in its façade and color which adds to Bruges charm.

Everything was beautiful and clean, each street looking like someone just painted it for me.

We made a turn off the main road and suddenly the road changed, it was narrow with no real sidewalks.

The entrances to the buildings, whether apartments or shops, were right at the edge of the street.

Some areas in England were also like that with the front door to houses and flats sitting right at the road.

It added charm to this city the same way it had in areas of England.

We found parking on the street and walked along the cobblestones toward a passageway through a church courtyard.

                 

Walking on cobbles is at times a challenge and yet so much fun as it really anchors in the idea that I’m in a land far away that feels centuries old.

As we walked out the far side of the church, we found ourselves on a road that appeared to be a main street with shops on each side of the street.

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We walked down the road a bit and found ourselves at the Simon Stevinplein, which was packed with people.

There were craft vendor booths with all types of handmade goods you could think of from knitted and crocheted wearables, wooden birdhouses, Nutcracker dolls, handmade pottery, and so much more.

Some of the booths were serving food which included pretzels, fudge, frites, cheese, brats and rolls or if you were seeking a warming beverage you could indulge in hot chocolate, hot spiced apple cider or Gluhwein.

There was something for everyone and it brought in another level of the familiar since the food and drink reminded me of what I grew up with on the German side of my family.

We agreed we were all a bit hungry, so walked around to see what eateries the town had.

We didn’t see anything interesting, so we opted to go for a look in a much smaller Christmas Market and noticed one of the vendor stalls was serving freshly made pasta.

.      .

It’s a yes for me!

Because who doesn’t love pasta?

The signs at the booth stated everything was homemade with several types of pasta dishes to choose from.

I settled on the pesto with greens and watched as they tossed it in a huge block of parmesan cheese!

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Pure heaven!

I’m staying, just leave my luggage and I’ll figure out the rest! Lolololol

We sat at the table in the outdoor eating area that was surrounded by a few heat lamps which kept the cold temps at bay so we could enjoy our food.

When we were done, we walked a little more, taking in the amazing handiwork of many more vendors displaying their handmade goods.

As I was looking around, I noticed the sky creating the most magical backdrop for the Provincial court building which looked like a king and queen might walk out at any moment to greet everyone in the court area.

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I was taking it all in, everything looked majestic.

I didn’t want to miss anything just in case there was more magic waiting to be discovered by me.

Just then I turned to my left and saw the cutest row of houses, I think they were houses.

           

They looked like a backdrop on a movie set.

They fit perfectly with the Provincial Court building, all of it made even more magical by the dramatic clouds overhead.

There was a story playing out in my head, but what was it?

I stopped and let myself feel what was needing to be felt.

I could feel it; it was nostalgia coming through.

It felt like the magic I always wanted to live in.

Might just be a touch of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the feeling.

I’d watched that movie a hundred times as a child.

Maybe it’s the cobblestones, or maybe the Baron’s castle, or possibly the way this all looks like a child’s dollhouse.

I’d have to allow the feeling to rest within me as we were heading back to the car.

Another Christmas market is waiting for us, somewhere beyond Belgium.

I’ve taken many road trips, but this is on another level altogether.

And while I’m generally good with directions, foreign geography?  Not so much.

Fortunately, Google is!

 

* If something in my story resonates with where you find yourself today, perhaps there’s a reason our paths have crossed.

  I offer one-on-one Transformational Coaching Sessions for those navigating their own journey of returning to themselves.

You’re welcome to explore working together whenever the time feels right.