"In Bruges" is a movie I probably should have seen before ending up in Brugge. I remember trying to see it years ago, but passing out as I tend to do and never really finishing it. Anyways, I was asked no less than fifty times in two days about this film and about how its beautiful and fun, etc, etc. Anyways no I haven't seen the movie. Brugge was my first time couch surfing. And I was a little anxious about that. The small things that make your life easier about a hostel or hotel really became clear to me as I was on my way to Brugge. A-number-one, I didn't have a website to look to see where or how to get to Eli's place. I didn't have a name of a hotel to ask someone about if I got lost. Etc, etc.

Of course, Eli provided me with easy enough directions and I got to his place without incident. It was really easy and the concerns about getting there and how it would be to couch surf ended up being just that, only concerns (as it often is the case, actually, always the case).

I think the thing I'll remember most about my couch surfing experience in Brugge is my initial reaction to two things. Firstly, the toilet was located OUTSIDE. It was a private little alley next to the kitchen, and you couldn't enter or leave through there or anything, but it was outside. I was like WTF, an out house? Additionally, I could tell instantly that I was deathly allergic to the attic in which I would be staying. I hadn't really even thought about that before looking into couches that I could stay on. But I learned that day.

Eli didn't have pets so it wasn't that kind of allergy, but it was a really old building and the attic was not finished and parts of it were open and so there was just a lot of stuff going on up there. Anyways, after carrying what I've decided is WAY too much shit up his tiny stair case to the attic I was pretty convinced that this couch surfing thing would be a very limited experiment on this trip. Thank god for the elephant strength allergy meds I brought along with me. :-D

So I went to Brugge because it's beautiful, and it didn't disappoint. The city is almost comically gorgeous, and it being famous for that combined with it being a bank holiday in the UK, meant LOTS of tourists. Specifically a type of loud and fat English person that made fart jokes loudly in small restaurants (this happened twice). It made things a little strange. But I enjoyed my time there.

I think my favorite things that happened in Brugge are the following:

Climbing to the top of the Belfur: this was creepy as hell, it doesn't compare to the bell tower that I climbed in Sibieu in terms of sheer potential to kill me, this one was way sturdier. But it was a crazy intense climb and SUPER claustrophobic. But the view from the top was killer and I felt accomplished. After an hour and change in line for this I was happy I'd done it.
Drinking with Australian Chris: This was a lot of fun and unexpected. Chris is a teacher working in Italy leading bike tours and all around a super smart and fun drinking companion. I enjoyed the beers and conversation, perfect travel drinking night. Although, I presumed my time in New Orleans had prepared me to enter the world of Australian Travel Drinking again after some years away from the game. And really, it hasn't, I cried uncle twice and eventually had to just dart out to make it home at a reasonable hour.
Brugge at Night: It doesn't disappoint. It's gorgeous and romantic and creepy and less crowded. Really Beautiful.
Jerusalem Church: A copy of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It was beautiful and totally weird to find in Belgium