PINAY FRANCOPHILE

Taken December 28 after visiting
BASILIQUE KOEKELBERG
to view the EXPO DA VINCI.

I have started working on my Belgium scrapbook and one thing I like about it is that working on my layouts helps me relive the memories somehow. It’s like being there again in a different way. Writing the captions and doing the journaling also help me put the feelings associated with the whole experience to words.

As always, I tried to get at least two of each brochure, flyer or literature. (Yes, even the ones I had to buy like the Brugge map which went for €.50 each.). But for the magazines or newspapers, I weeded out the portions I didn’t need at the hotel instead of carrying the whole thing with me to New York. (They can get heavy…)

I saved the tickets and receipts, and brought home one “branded” napkin from the restaurant we ate at in Brugge. Others, I took a business card.

I am already in “scrapbooking mode” as I go around when we’re on vacation, so I pick up mementos and “scrappable” items like shopping bags that might make for a whole or partial 12×12 background layout.

More details to come.

I’ve been writing about this holiday trip in my other blog, Pinay New Yorker and am all excited about the rest of the trip. Our first day was rather muggy and cold but we absorbed as much of Brussels that we could. We walked around and Alan showed me Grand Place which was surprisingly deserted at around 9am. (We later found out that Brussels woke up a little late today considering it wasa Christmas week.). Alan also showed me the famous Mannekin Pis (more details and pictures later) and we rode the Brussels City Tours bus to the Atomium. We went back to Grand Place at the end of the day where we witnessed a most spectacular light show.

I’ve sampled the authentic Belgian waffles, and tomorrow, I plan to try out some of the sinful confections that the Belgians are famous for: chocolates! My body is still in New York mode but I have to get some sleep now. More to come!