More Comings and Goings
No wonder I feel worn out. As I reflect on the last weeks I realize how much we have done. The Sedes Sapientae program here is an intensive two week renewal course. The sabbatical students were able to participate in all of the activities and most of us took part in the majority of them. Included were both classes and opportunities to travel.
After our trip to Maastricht a week ago Saturday a group of us went to the opera in Liege. We saw Maria Stuarda by Donezetti (for those of you who are opera lovers). Unfortunately the soprano singing Elizabeth I was ill so a portion was left out in which she figures prominently. One of the other cast members sang her part in the wonderful "Confrontation Scene" which closes the first act.
On Monday we went to Antwerp. It was a civil holiday (Pentecost Monday) so most shops were closed but we were able to see some churches, the harbor and many other sites. It was an interesting visit. The picture is from a fountain in the main square. It shows the Brabofontein and depicts Silvius Brabo brandishing the hand of the giant Druon. Druon pillaged ships in the area and according to legend the Roman soldier Silvius Brabo cut off his hand and threw it in the river. The word "handwerpen" (a possible place from which the name of the city comes) means "to throw a hand."
We also had a tour of the Cathedral, a magnificent building by one of the associate pastors. He did a great job and helped us discover many of the things we might otherwise have missed. As you can see, I also had the opportunity to discover frites in a cone. This is a traditional way of eating Belgian Frites (fries). You buy them in the cone and then walk through along eating them - with mayonnaise, not ketchup. IT may not look like it (especially with a big cone of fries in my hand) but the walking has taken some inches off my waist. I am down one or two notches on my belt! That evening we visited with the St. Egidio community in Antwerp. St. Egidio is one of the new movements in the Church dedicated to living the gospel in daily life and in service to the poor. Their center is impressive in which they have a place to feed those in need and a place for the homeless to shower, wash clothes and see a doctor or dentist. They also have a small home for the elderly poor. All of this is staffed primarily by volunteers. We joined them for evening prayer and they provided a nice supper during which we could learn more about their community.
On Wednesday, Slabbinck vestment makers sponsored a trip to Brugges for us. We visited their factory and saw how they made vestments and liturgical vesture. They then arranged a guide to take us through the city. He was very interesting and we learned a lot. It is a beautiful city. We all agreed that we wished it had come earlier since we would all like to go back and see more. The picture is just one of the lovely scenes that we found as we walked along.
That night we were treated to dinner. But as we finished our tour of the city and waited for the bus we had to try the local beer. There are over 400 different kinds of beer in Belgium. A number of them have origins in the Trappist monastaries and are called "Abbey beers." We've also been impressed that all of them have their own special glass. I've developed a couple of favorites but also like to try the local brew. This is the local brew in Brugges. It is called, The Fool of Brugges.
I will try to get out one more post before I leave on Saturday morning. It will share our trip to Mont St. Michel yesterday. After that I will probably post a few more times as I get settled in my new place.
After our trip to Maastricht a week ago Saturday a group of us went to the opera in Liege. We saw Maria Stuarda by Donezetti (for those of you who are opera lovers). Unfortunately the soprano singing Elizabeth I was ill so a portion was left out in which she figures prominently. One of the other cast members sang her part in the wonderful "Confrontation Scene" which closes the first act.
On Monday we went to Antwerp. It was a civil holiday (Pentecost Monday) so most shops were closed but we were able to see some churches, the harbor and many other sites. It was an interesting visit. The picture is from a fountain in the main square. It shows the Brabofontein and depicts Silvius Brabo brandishing the hand of the giant Druon. Druon pillaged ships in the area and according to legend the Roman soldier Silvius Brabo cut off his hand and threw it in the river. The word "handwerpen" (a possible place from which the name of the city comes) means "to throw a hand."
We also had a tour of the Cathedral, a magnificent building by one of the associate pastors. He did a great job and helped us discover many of the things we might otherwise have missed. As you can see, I also had the opportunity to discover frites in a cone. This is a traditional way of eating Belgian Frites (fries). You buy them in the cone and then walk through along eating them - with mayonnaise, not ketchup. IT may not look like it (especially with a big cone of fries in my hand) but the walking has taken some inches off my waist. I am down one or two notches on my belt! That evening we visited with the St. Egidio community in Antwerp. St. Egidio is one of the new movements in the Church dedicated to living the gospel in daily life and in service to the poor. Their center is impressive in which they have a place to feed those in need and a place for the homeless to shower, wash clothes and see a doctor or dentist. They also have a small home for the elderly poor. All of this is staffed primarily by volunteers. We joined them for evening prayer and they provided a nice supper during which we could learn more about their community.
On Wednesday, Slabbinck vestment makers sponsored a trip to Brugges for us. We visited their factory and saw how they made vestments and liturgical vesture. They then arranged a guide to take us through the city. He was very interesting and we learned a lot. It is a beautiful city. We all agreed that we wished it had come earlier since we would all like to go back and see more. The picture is just one of the lovely scenes that we found as we walked along.
That night we were treated to dinner. But as we finished our tour of the city and waited for the bus we had to try the local beer. There are over 400 different kinds of beer in Belgium. A number of them have origins in the Trappist monastaries and are called "Abbey beers." We've also been impressed that all of them have their own special glass. I've developed a couple of favorites but also like to try the local brew. This is the local brew in Brugges. It is called, The Fool of Brugges.
I will try to get out one more post before I leave on Saturday morning. It will share our trip to Mont St. Michel yesterday. After that I will probably post a few more times as I get settled in my new place.
Comments