Where Globe-Trotting meets Beach-Combing
The huge Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp’s city center was finally open today! It’s been under construction every other time we’ve visited the city. Chris had today off and we were just wandering about, so in we went. Peter Paul Reubens is a famous Flemish artist. He has a house nearby that we visited…
My mom, the kids and I were scheduled to meet my dad in Canterbury two years ago and spend a long weekend in London while he was there on business, but we all know (exactly) what we were actually doing two years ago—a whole lot of lockdown. Between Brexit and covid, it hasn’t been possible…
Belgium in February and March is one of the ugliest places I’ve ever been. Belgium in April is nothing short of miraculous. Everything transforms from wind-blasted grimy greige to translucent, glowing, shimmering, color-saturated life. Belgium in April is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Last week, in tears, utterly frustrated and stuck,…
It’s spring break! The news is heavy and dark lately, and we talk about Ukraine, NATO, nuclear war and refugees all the time. A friend shared good news with me recently and I felt encouraged for weeks! In the same way, blogging about our trip is forcing me to think about something besides what we’re…
These Ukrainian dogs (and cats!) kept their owners company in a refugee registration line that seemed to stretch forever late last week in the Brussels Expo Center. Jenn and I spent Thursday and Friday there with a bunch of other friends, organizing donations, handing out water and food to people in line, driving to the…
“How do you say the name of this town?” one of the ladies in the car asked the group. “Hoo-eee?” “Hoo-EEE?” “Hoy?” “Who?” “…Let’s ask someone today.” Jenn organized an outing to this city we could not pronounce because it started with an H. She assigns each month a letter and tries to explore cities…
“Coffee?” The woman stood in front of a food table staffed by volunteers. While a volunteer filled her cup, the woman said, “My village—” she motioned an explosion with her hands. “Gone.” She accepted the paper cup and disappeared back into the crowd. A grandmother waited in her van with three of her grandchildren. The…
