Waffles and having a little fun in Ghent, Belgium

Let's start our day with a little espresso!  Sugar?





.. ready for a waffle?



My favorite waffle spot in Belgium.  The sugar caramelizes on top during the cooking process.. so good, no need for butter and syrup!  











I few pictures of Ghent .. a BEAUTIFUL mid-evil town.  This was our view as we stepped outside and looked to the right.. and if you go, don't miss the boat ride through the canal.





It's a wonder as to how these buildings came to be SO many years ago.  If the walls could speak?!


This was one of my favorite linen boutiques.  The owner carried lots of small silver pieces along with table runners and towels for kitchen and bath.


The boutique was small and I felt uncomfortable taking too many photos in front of the owner, however I did manage to take just a couple..



The night gowns were so pretty and feminine. 




Meanwhile, back outside...  

"oh dear.. there's that crazy American woman again with her camera"



"Ah.. that's more like it.. she's finally buying some of my candies"



Speaking of candies.. nougat is one of my favorite treats in Europe.  I've learned that if it's too chewy, it's "no good" .. and the best .. just melts in your mouth.. exploding with vanilla and sweet honey! 



Eating nougat... 

{me} "Why are you taking a picture of me eating?"

{D.}... "because you always are, and I want to capture these special moments"

{me} "well.. make sure it's on soft focus"


Had to throw this picture in.  Does anyone else but me think cheese stores are beautiful? 


..and later that day..

"Um.. pardon monsieur...I'd like some of these please?"

"...oh, I heard about this American lady.. does she realize I speak English.. I'll just let her keep going"


Catching a train to Paris.. 

{D.} "..not sure if this is right"


{D.}"...well, I think this is it"

{me} "I hope I can open my window, otherwise I will have an anxiety attack (claustrophobic you know)

{D.} "..not a chance.. get your bags.."

{me} "..great.. just great..}

We had a 30 minute delay.. of course! Why does this always happen to me.


...and straight to the Metro

"wait.. is this the right line? and that looks like a dark tunnel.. "


Yep!  That's me.. totally exhausted and  wondering why standing in a metro station had to be part of my vacation. 

{me} "...I need air"

Sometimes the best pictures aren't the most flattering.. but they are VERY funny aren't they!  You can tell I'm not very relaxed.. I am one of those type A's and I'm very cautious and a bit of a worrier.  At some point, you just need to step out of your comfort zone and do something .. even if it makes you a little uncomfortable.  In this case.. It was SO worth it!

 I'll be needing a glass of wine soon.


Have a terrific week ahead!

xx
leslie

All photos Trouverlesoleil

50 comments:

  1. I start and end my day with espresso Leslie and now I get a picture of foreign espresso..;) That is such a gorgeous country I need to go back soon. I'm with you I swoon over cheese and the more the better. I love going to cheese stores makes the mister crazy. Those building are amazing but if my textiles can be in wonderful shape from the 15th century so can a stone building.

    Enjoy your evening and week!
    XX
    Debra~

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  2. Wow! Thanks for taking me along! Great photos!
    I love that last photo of you in the dark metro station....so gorgeous!

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  3. Leslie, it was like I was on your trip. Fantastic photos..and those waffles look decadent!

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  4. Gosh, you're like a model.
    Waffles were always my downfall on family holidays abroad.

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  5. We need to laugh about issues arising on holidays. Count me as a type A and a little bit claustrophobic too. I remember taking anti-histamine relaxant on the Eurostar and it worked a treat. My husband had to practically carry me off the train. Is funny now but wasn't at the time.
    Love the linen shop (could do serious $ damage there) and your pics are great.
    Wish I looked that good in denim shorts!

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  6. Hey Leslie - Thanks for taking us on a tour of Ghent! I have been there twice....very charming. The sweets are divine. I could eat those waffles all day. You looked fabulous :-) And I don't like the trains either :(
    xoxo,
    Loi

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  7. get in mahhhh belly, waffles in belgium. you are making me think we may have to daytrip it to Bruges even if we don't have time to spend the night there. we haven't decided...loved seeing your journey and moments!

    :)
    michele

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  8. Thanks for allowing us a bit of armchair travelling and I could almost taste that waffle! x sharon

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  9. Those were wonderful...loved those. Love the one of your husband taking the picture of you and your unsure of it..my husband does that when I'm not ready or even paying attention, so I have this strange look on my face, haha. I love cheese and also think cheese shops are magic :))) Have a wonderful week ahead doll xoxo

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  10. Hello! We look forward to your nice blog. Waffle is very nostalgic. I was a kid, was eating a lot. Now no longer so apparent. From Japan. Ryoma Sakamoto.

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  11. I LOVE your photos. You always look stunning, even while eating or worked up! Belgium looks amazing. The food, the linens, the architecture...Sigh...Hopefully one day!! xo

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  12. Leslie thank you for sharing these awesome pictures! The linen shop looks like heaven to me: white night gowns, embroidered lavender flowers and pastel coloured blankets! And the waffles and chocolate...mouth watering! I don't like metro either, I think I've been traumatised by the scene of the movie "ghost" set underground O_o Looking forward to more pics from Paris! Are you visiting Italy as well? Have great holidays!

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  13. Thanks for sharing Leslie! I would get lost in the linen shop. You look beautiful! And the chocolates look simply divine. Have a great week.

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  14. I enjoyed joining your lovely trip! I would have loved wandering around the linen shop and I'm a fan of cheese shops too. Your photos remind me of our visit to Bruges - similar architecture. Great photos, Leslie.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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  15. Just love these photos and seeing more of you and your husband. The buildings in Ghent look so beautiful...like they are from a movie set. So happy you posted this!

    Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

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  16. 1 of my best friends is from Belgium - she goes back a few times a year since her parents still live there - all their kids (3) speak the language - i never have a CLUE what she is saying - she speaks it to the kids only - no English - Dad does the English

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  17. Leslie, thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your kind comments. I'm glad you stopped by, because I was introduced to YOUR lovely blog. I can see I'm going to LOVE it. :)
    Looks like I've got some reading to do, catching up on your past posts.
    Have a great day.
    Terri

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  18. Not flattering Leslie...you look Amazing!!
    Lovely post...waffles and coffee what could be nicer ;-)

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  19. Oh my goodness these pictures are stunning! They made me feel like I was on the trip as well! Love your blog and I am your newest follower. xo

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  20. oh stop! you are making my mouth water!!
    son2 and i have a running joke about belgium and their waffles even though he nor have ever been there.
    brett

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  21. What fun to see all of your adventures and your commentary was hilarious. :) So glad you enjoyed the canal ride! I think you look great in your pictures - your exhausted doesn't look like mine when I am road weary. :) I always embarrass my (European) husband with all my antics when we are traveling but oh well...we come back with interesting, funny and unique pictures. :) AND yes - cheese stores are absolutely amazing to look at (and taste!).

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  22. Oh so fun! I now think I need all new linens, some nougat, followed by a waffle, and loads of cheese

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  23. oh wow! Beautiful buildings. And that cheese store looks like heaven.
    xx
    maya

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  24. Love your photos. I have been there too - in the most gorgeous of shops, you're dying to take photos, but it's just not appropriate. I hate that. Taking mental pictures just seems second rate. ;)

    Beautiful cheese, chocolate, linen, WAFFLES! Yum. I'm feeling hungry now! Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Fun!

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  25. Cheese stores are the BEST! I could spend countless hours tasting them all.
    Lovely photos and love your mini conversation with photo.

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  26. OMG leslie...I nearly salivated once I saw the picture of authentic belgium waffles! They look so good!!!!! And what a fun time in Ghent..I love your narration! The crazy american lady ;)

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  27. Leslie,
    What a gorgeous place! Belgium is on my list of places I really want to get to. You look adorable as usual. Your husband sounds like mine! What a fun trip. Thanks for sharing!

    xo
    Kim

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  28. Hi, Leslie! I think your posts are geting better and better, the photos, the story telling and now those hilarious dialogs...I love it! ...and by the way, I know why your hubby took so many pictures of you...You are drop dead gorgeous!!!

    Big hugs, darling!
    Inés

    SimplyClassyMe.blogspot.com

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  29. Waffles are my favorite breakfast food.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  30. You cracked me up with your story ;-) Thanks for sharing the photos from the trip on your blog, it's wonderful to see Ghent through your eyes.

    And of course it was worth it. We do everything for Paris, right? ;-)

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  31. Ha loved hearing all about your adventures, Leslie! Looks like it was a fabulous trip. I'd love to get to Belgium one day. And this post made me very hungry. I'd like a little nougat now myself :) xoxo

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  32. Cute photos! That waffle looks amazing! Great last shot!

    xx
    Giovanna
    www.oliveandanarrow.com

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  33. Wonderful post! Thanks for the the tour! The shops in Belgium look amazing! Cheese, chocolate, and all the beautiful linens. You saw it all! Those building are facinating too. So much history there! But the highlight has got to be the waffles! Real Belgium waffles...my mouth is watering! I must get there one day to experience that! : )

    Danielle xo

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  34. Well, you look absolutely beautiful standing in that metro station! What a romantic dress. Loving those ridgey (sp?) roofs on those gorgeous buildings - wonder why they made them so ridgey? Looks like a surreal painting...And now I really want a waffle

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  35. This is lovely. I love these pics from your trip. And dear......you look amazing. Very very beautiful!!!
    Best Regards
    Miss Margaret Cruzemark
    http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/

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  36. Leslie I enjoyed this so much!! The linen shop, a dream. The cheeses I too love to find the best, that brie you can tell will melt in you mouth. The architecture! Die you bring back anything special??

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena
    2012 Artist Series featuring Harrison Howard

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  37. I've never had a waffle and I'm feeling SO left out! Even exhausted, you look beautiful Leslie xo

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  38. You've got me craving a waffle big time!

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  39. What a fabulous post! I can't wait to experience something like this again! This town looks amazing just as the food does! And you looked beautiful!! I'm a bit envious, I will admit! I'd love to be anywhere overseas right now! Hope it's been wonderful!

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  40. Mmm those waffles look so heavenly. I love how you share your experiences with us..it's like a mini vacation :)
    xo
    Sharon

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  41. Those waffles look so good!

    http://initialed.blogspot.com

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  42. Those waffles and cheeze looks seriously great! And a glass of wine to that! Have a great weekend! xo Caroline

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  43. Leslie, what a fantastic trip! The boutiques look wonderful. Talking about wonderful, those waffles look yummy.

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  44. I would murder a waffle now with lots of syrup and cream!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sharon
    xxxx

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  45. Stunning photos - I've never been but Ghent looks amazing! Keep enjoying your trip, Avril x

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  46. Never been there and would love to visit. You look great by the way : )

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  47. Oh god the waffles! I visited ghent recently myself for my birthday and loved every minute. You can see my pictures here:

    http://littleleightree.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/my-travels-ghent-belgium.html

    Really enjoyed coming across this post, definitely wanting to visit again

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