By Carol-Ann Rudy

The Treasures and Pleasures of Antwerp and Bruges

On the train from Switzerland through Germany overnight, I woke up to find myself traveling briefly through The Netherlands. Couldn’t see much from the train of the fabled windmills and nothing of the charming towns, villages, and canals—will save that for another trip, another time. I finally arrived mid-morning in Antwerp and a happy reunion with Patricia, my sister’s best friend in high school. I would have recognized her anywhere in spite of the years and events between. Welcoming me into her large, well-decorated flat, I thoroughly enjoyed a trip through time looking through photo albums with her. She had a wonderful career as a ballet dancer both in Canada and Belgium, traveling throughout the world, had a family, and continues to this day to teach.

The next morning we were up early and on our way to the home of Peter Paul Rubens, the Rubens House Museum or Rubenshuis in Flemish. Seeing how an upper middle class successful artist lived in his time was enlightening. He was an avid art collector as well as a favored European artist, and his home and garden reflected his status.

The following day we left for Bruges and its art treasures, first by bus then train. I was impressed with the speed and cleanliness of the trains and the friendliness of the Flemish people. Once in Bruges, we took a bus to the vicinity of one of the great cathedrals. From there, we walked—and walked—and walked. We sampled Belgian chocolate, looked over samples of hand-made lace, and enjoyed the cool atmosphere of several cathedrals. In my entire trip I took over a thousand photos and took plenty here.

We sampled local food at a lovely outdoor restaurant. On our way to a museum, we came across an organ-grinder playing for a crowd. I thoroughly enjoyed singing for him and the kiss he planted on my cheek!

However, the highlight of my trip to Bruges was a very personal one: my father was in Bruges in World War II. While there, he bought a lovely painting of a particular bridge. It was my quest to find that bridge, and photograph myself in front of it. Remarkably, we found it—and so did a number of other tourists! But I have my photo. The day was growing long; we returned to Antwerp and sleep.

The next day was the day to focus again on Antwerp. Brilliant blue sky. Many more cobblestone streets. Great architecture, art, and museums. Beautiful outdoor markets. In retrospect, it was like stepping off the edge of the world and into another. It was with much regret that I left the next day for Frankfurt.

In the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th century, it was “de rigeur” for those of the upper class in Britain to take what came to be called The Grand Tour. This was my Grand Tour throughout Europe, following in the footsteps of those hardy souls. For them, it was ostensibly to study the antiquities and the arts, not unlike myself. Unlike some

of them, it wasn’t an excuse or an opportunity to get soused—just the joy of sipping the occasional glass of wine,with strangers and friends.

Now, the last leg of my journey was beckoning.

NEXT: Frankfurt, Friedberg, and Flying Home!

IMAGES: (Carol-Ann Rudy)

The Treasures and Pleasures of Antwerp and Bruges

PHOTO 1 ANTWERP TRAIN STATION entrance

PHOTO 2 C at Rubens House in Antwerp

PHOTO 3 Bruges cathdral 3

PHOTO 4 Bruges Madonna and Child by Michelangelo student photo

PHOTO 5 Painting circa 1944 Bridge in Bruges

PHOTO 6 The Bridge in Bruges from our family painting 2

PHOTO 7 C at the bridge from family painting 3

PHOTO 8 The Organ Grinders Kiss

PHOTO 9 Busy Canal in Bruges 2

PHOTO 10 Antwerp plaza from 2^nd floor of museum 5

PHOTO 11 Antwerp Flower Market

PHOTO 12 View from Museum aan de Stroom in Antwerp

To read the first part of Carol-Ann’s story of how she covers the globe with only a backpack published in iNews Cayman on August 11 2014 go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/all-the-worlds-an-island-correspondent-carol-ann-covers-the-globe-with-only-a-back-pack/

To read the second part of Carol-Ann’s story of how she covers the globe with only a backpack published in iNews Cayman on August 18 2014 go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/all-the-worlds-an-island-correspondent-carol-ann-covers-the-globe-with-only-a-back-pack-part-two/

To read the third part of Carol-Ann’s story of how she covers the globe with only a backpack published in iNews Cayman on August 26 2014 go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/all-the-worlds-an-island-correspondent-carol-ann-covers-the-globe-with-only-a-back-pack-part-three/

To read the fourth part of Carol-Ann’s story of how she covers the globe with only a backpack published in iNews Cayman on September 8 2014 go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/all-the-worlds-an-island-correspondent-carol-ann-covers-the-globe-with-only-a-back-pack-part-four/

To read the fifth part of Carol-Ann’s story of how she covers the globe with only a backpack published in iNews Cayman September 22 2014 go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/all-the-worlds-an-island-correspondent-carol-ann-covers-the-globe-with-only-a-back-pack-part-five/

To read the sixth part of Carol-Ann’s story of how she covers the globe with only a backpack published in iNews Cayman October 5 2014 go to: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/all-the-worlds-an-island-correspondent-carol-ann-covers-the-globe-with-only-a-back-pack-part-6/