Belgium trip: I know has been a while, since I updated this blog, but been busy with a new baby. Recently we took a trip to Belgium. Scott had a training so Bailey and a tagged along to Brussels and then we made it into a mini vacation, by going to Ghent and Bruges for the weekend. The two days I spent in Brussels were a bit crazy. I decided to take the hop on hop off bus because figured would be a good way to see the city. Unfortunately the Brussels hop on hop off bus was the most disorganized bus tour I have even been on. And I have taken these buses around the world. It also was a really hot day which didn’t help. It took a while to just get to our first destination. I thought it would be fun to take Bailey to this place called Mini Europe. It is a park with mini replicas of famous European landmarks. The problem was there were no signs for it when I got off the bus since it was part of a larger amusement park, so too a while to find the place. Finally we walked around and took some cute pictures. Then we hightailed it back to the bus to go back to our hotel. I figured the bus would take us back to the stop where we got on which was near the hotel. But I missed the fact that the last bus ran at 4. I saw the bus I needed and ran across the street to get on since it was going in the direction I needed, but the mean bus driver wouldn’t let me on. That meant I was stuck with Bailey in an unfamiliar location and not sure how to get back to the hotel. Thankfully trains and buses don’t scare me, so was able to find my way back on the subway. Was quite an adventure as first was directed the wrong way and most of the stops had no elevators. Finally we got back and we walked to a kosher place to pick up some food for Shabbos. Was a long trek there in the heat, but Bailey behaved. Finally we got there and I was able to pick up some chicken, challah and snacks and then back to the hotel for dinner. The food was really yummy and got us thru the next few days. On Friday our destination was The Jewish Museum. Again we got on the hop on hop off bus and had a terrible experience. We went a few stops and then at the Central Station the bus driver said ok this bus is done go to the first bus. We went to the first bus and he said no it’s the second bus. So we go to the second bus and he directs us back to the original bus we had come on. Was so disorganized and we had to wait for another bus to continue our journey. Finally we made it to the museum, but the problem was everything was in French, so couldn’t understand anything. Oh well. At least the nice lady at the front desk let me feed Bailey in a side room. Then we went to the Information Center but not stroller friendly. I had to have someone help me get up and down the stairs. They recommended a Museum about comics, but by the time we got there Bailey was sleeping so I decided not to go inside. We walked to the main square and just enjoyed the nice weather. After we got back on the bus back to the hotel. This time made sure to be back on the bus on time. As soon as I entered the hotel I noticed a sign by the elevator that said Shabbat Lift and then a sign for a Synagogue. I was really confused, so I asked the front desk why there was a synagogue. They said the hotel was hosting a bar mitzvah. Amazing of all things to see this. Scott finally arrived and we made our way to Ghent. Once we arrived we walked around and took some pictures. Ghent is a really lovely laidback European city with lots of charm. We really enjoyed it. On Saturday we walked around, took in some sights and just enjoyed a nice day to relax. Early Sunday morning Scott took Bailey around the city to take pictures of what we saw on Saturday. He got amazing shots as was 5 in the morning and no one was on the streets. On Sunday we made our way to Bruges. Bruges was much more touristy than Ghent. We visited a chocolate museum and Bailey really enjoyed watching the chocolate demonstration. She kept squealing. It was super cute. Then we took a canal cruise. Bailey really enjoyed her first boat ride. All in all was a great mini vacation.