In Germany

Now that I'm halfway through my vacation, I figure it's time to write about it. I've been enjoying myself so much, I haven't really wanted to sit down to reflect. But I'm finally in the mood.

The flight from Dallas to NYC was uneventful. Kevin found us at the airport and we got to hang out for about 4 hours. It was really nice to catch up in person. It's kinda funny that the last two times we've seen each other revolved around airports - Kevin going through Dallas and me going through NYC. The flight from NYC to Brussels was uneventful as well. After the meal and movie, I put on an eye mask and slept for the rest of the flight. Now THAT's the way international travel should happen.

We arrived in Brussels on Friday morning. When we finally got through customs (which felt like it took forever but only because we were on an airplane all night), Karen was waiting for us. It was so good to see her. Naturally, there was much rejoicing. We managed to fit all the luggage and all five of us into the car and headed out of Brussels towards Brugge. I fell asleep pretty quickly and woke up when we got to Brugge. Karen did a great job navigating the narrow, one-way streets and got us to our B&B. I showered and tumbled into bed despite the fact it was 11 o'clock in the morning. Slept until about 2 in the afternoon then hung out with Karen and Kristen in a cafe around the main square in Brugge. It was so great to hang out with Karen and just talk. I miss her a lot. The good news is Karen is really happy in Germany and with married life. Later in the evening, Jason, the Grants and the Woodwards met us in Brugge. We had a great weekend together.

A Few Things From Brugge
• We laughed a lot!
• Belgium beer is stronger than American beer!
• Just as I was told, Belgium has incredible waffles.
• Belgium chocolates are even more incredible than I was told.
• The canals in Brugge remind me of San Antonio, complete with canal boat rides. (Minus the Mexican food.)
• The clock tower in the main square has 366 steps to the top. We climbed them all.
• The stairs up the clock tower get more and more narrow as you go up. It's practically impossible to get people to go up and down at the same time, yet it happened.
• It's hard to find a restaurant that will take 10 people in Europe.
• Toured the Straffe Hendrick brewery - drank great beer!
• Saw really old windmills.
• Learned how Belgium lace is made, didn't buy any.
• Consumed a bunch of chocolate.
• Tried curry-ketchup with fries. Didn't like it.
• Remembered that I love European down comforters. Can't wait until winter to put mine on the bed again.

This trip has quickly been labeled, the Lucci's eat their way across Europe. Because that's practically all we're doing!

Sunday afternoon, we drove for about three hours to Karen and Jason's home in Germany. After living in a hotel for the first month they were here, they've now settled down into an adorable three bedroom home. (Well, technically it's a duplex, but you really can hardly tell.) Karen has done an incredible job decorating it and making it home. They live out in the country a bit so we've gotten to enjoy walking next to the corn field and seeing the ponies. Mostly, it's just amazingly quiet. I need to move to the country.

Since we've been in Germany, we've eaten and eaten and eaten. Not that I'm complaining, I love it! We've also seen where Jason works, where Karen shops, done some shopping, visited Geilenkirchen, Aachen, Monschau, and a couple of other little towns in the area. Germany is beautiful. We've talked a lot, laughed a lot, and just generally enjoyed each other. It's so good to have the family all together again. I'm so glad that I got to come on this trip.

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