Day 7 - So many steps, so little time...

We attempted to get to Paris today, but had a little shift in plans.  The girls had dressed in their fancy clothes when we took off for the train station.  Apparently the EuroRail pass reservations do not always come easily.  You see, even though you have a global pass, some cities like Paris have "hoity toity" trains that require you also buy reservations!  It's more like having frequent flyer miles.  That wasn't so bad, except there weren't any reservations available on the days we wanted!  The other little fact is there are 2 "bank holidays" coming up and we intended to travel on those particular days (my bad).  Oh well, after paying off the French (didn't we already do that after the war?), we got reservations and also the ones to Nice (I ain't missing the French Riviera). 

We decided to go back to Bruges, since we liked it so well.  Jared and I wanted to take the De Halve Maan Brewery tour and the girls wanted to get some shopping in.  Both of our journeys were successful.  Jared and I climbed some 9 floors on some really tiny steps and low ceilings in side the brewery and got to tak ein the history of the 150 year old place.  A beautiful view overlooking the entire city awaited us at the top, so it was well worth it.  Nancy got some leggings, because it is the style here and the wind was blowing heavily which tends to push the squirts up to your neck!  The girls came back to have lunch with us and we enjoyed the cool (now sunny), weather.

We had wanted to climb the 366 steps to get atop the Befry tower, but missed it last time.  This time Rianna, Nancy and I were set on it.  Jared stayed at the bottom and watched the crowds.   These steps are also very narrow and wind the entire way to the top!  They only allow 70 people in there at a time (and now we know why).  If you don't like heights, steep climbs or have claustropobia, don;t go.

https://picasaweb.google.com/112902688959282032432/Day7BrugesPartII?authkey=Gv1sRgCLm5mZqL9a2LRA&feat=directlink
Random Thoughts:

1) Europeons always seem angry (most are not, just reserved)
2) Russians like to have fun. (we had some on our tour)
3) Trains reservations suck!
4) France is already pissing me off and I haven't even been there.
5) Bruge - favorite city so far!
6) Sleeping past 8am is awesome!!!  (sleeping past 5am is cool too.)
7) I figured out why I get tired at 3pm in America (it's midnight here!)
8) The money looks really fake here (it's kinda like chips in Vegas)