Through Your Eyes: Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands

I love to hear about the adventures and travels of others, I love to see the world through their eyes. This is the first in a series of interviews that do just that: give us a glimpse of their world.

My great life-long friend Cathie recently returned from a fantastic month long trip to Europe, and I couldn’t wait to hear all about her adventure.  Luckily she was willing to share it with all of you, too!

Where did you travel?

Den Haag, the Netherlands; Bruges, Belgium; Cologne, Germany; and London, England.

What took you there?

My husband’s job took us to the Netherlands.  He needed to go and I said “you aren’t leaving us for a month! Your company will have to let us come with you if they want you to go!” So they did.

What was your favorite experience?

In Bruges, Belgium I had the most spiritually moving experience of my life.  We walked into the Church of Our Lady and I literally started to cry.  The beauty was so overwhelming and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  The history and structural splendor of the church was so exquisite and I could have stayed there for hours and hours just taking it all in.

Would you go back?

We will absolutely go back to Belgium.  I’d love to visit more World War II sites and I want to ride horses through the countryside of Bruges!

What was the best sight?

The best sight by far was the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany.  It was one of the most beautifully colossal (and almost eerily gothic) historical structures I’ve ever seen.

What was the worst thing about your travels?

Dog poop!  Europe obviously does not share the same societal guidelines and/or laws regarding their dogs…I will probably not step in as much dog poop in my entire life than the amount I stepped in just a few weeks!

What did you learn?

My youngest son’s number one word when we were in Europe was “different”.  “This tastes different”, “That looks different”, “Something smells different”.  The number of differences that we experienced was so wonderful.  I’d like my kids to know from a very young age that there are so many different ways to live and to appreciate and embrace the differences in people, places, and things.