Horse Carriage / Canal Tours / Cultural Celebrations., Brugge

these wildly popular canal-boat tours. It seems you can get a better view of things just by wandering around on your own, not being jammed into these longboats like sardines. But the guided-tour people, look at them, they've been told this is the thing to do so they line up for the canal boats like there's no tomorrow. No thank you!

All of us girls thought that the people in Brugge were rather moody and non service like. Only a few were nice, but most unfortunately acted if they swallowed a frog or something like that.

For some real cultural stuff: try beer & chocolats & Flemmish fries and some of the specialties menues here. You will certainly love it. Also very cultural stuff was the lace here. Lotsa lace shops everywhere. Maybe a good present for your grandma.

At the time we were in Brugge by the way we saw something special called 'De heilige bloed processie'(The Holy Blood Procession). The people in Brugge believe that some of the drops of Christs blood was brought to Brugge and they still keep a relic in the Holy Blood Church that is said to contain those blooddrops.
At the Ceremony that takes place around 'Hemelvaart'- a national holiday for Christian countries like Belgium and the Netherlands- the story of the Bible is told by theatre on the streets. They have all special costumes, horses, camels and even sheep herds walking on the streets.

european capital for culture in 2002! plenty of activities are being prepared.
official take off: 20.02.2002 20h02

the symbolism comes from an event that marks the so called cultural identity of the Flemish: the victorious battle of the Flemish peasants against the French knights in 1302.

Every year, At Ascension day you can see the Holy Blood Procession. This is very beautiful procession partly religious, partly historical. It gives a unique atmosphere, all those magnificent clothes in a medieval background. (This year it is the 1st of June)

See also my travelogue - chapter festivities.

These work of art is at 'T Zand. There are many which would be shown later on this page. Here one could see a lady on the bicycle, which is a very common feature in Brugge.

Try to learn to say Brugge, the town's name in Flemish. Yes, the tour guides all say Bruges, but you are always given a smile if you try its proper Flemish name.

Brugge 2002 : the walking bridge at the Coupure. thanks to this bridge you can make more easily a complete walk around the city.