First off… Google Maps steered me wrong – oh so wrong. In fact, the starting destination they gave me, was no where near the actual train station it was labeled as – I’m talking 100% on the other side of the city… So after asking many people for directions, taking a tram on the behest of… I want to say high schoolers? And then asking for more directions – I arrived.
Where exactly did I arrive, you ask? I arrived at the EcoHostel Andromedo, which for all of you who were as lost as I – IT’S ON A BOAT!!!!! This was by far the coolest and best hostel I’ve ever stayed in. Amazing basically describes it…
So, on Monday after I had arrived I walked around town in the beautiful weather. I …
1) Passed by the city Castle.
2) Visited many churches. They actually have an area that’s just full of beautiful church buildings – and the Belfry (which is a watch tower – often pretty).
3) Looked at the Voorduit, which is a theater and café I believe. It was supposed to one of the most beautiful buildings, but there were others I liked better.
4) Saw the Old Justice Paleis.
5) Walked down the “Glass Street.” This is their red light district; it is a tiny street with glass windows on all sides with a single chair. I was pretty early, but was surprised to find a number of the windows already had scantily clad women in them, and more surprised that they didn’t look like Barbie Dolls…
6) Passed through Veldstraat, which is the big shops street.
7) Sat under the Romantic Willow Trees.
8) Looked in the windows of the cupcake and chocolate shops
9) Walked down a famous movie street that I am still at a loss about – why was that street so special….?
10) Ate at De Lieve, where I had traditional white sausage on a cheesy potato sauce with ratatouille.
11) Relaxed with my hot chocolate in the Hot Club De Gand. This is a local bar/café that has live jazz music every night. It’s hidden down a very suspicious alleyway, but very worth the visit.
Tuesday, I continued to visit Gand and I …
1) Visited the Castle. This is a medieval castle filled with history. It started as a residence, then became a government location, and eventually a prison. It had a very impressive and disturbing torture tools exhibit, a good display of armor and weaponry, and it was overall a place not to miss.
2) Took the tram since it was rainy, to see the “most beautiful tree” and the Japanese Cherry Trees. This was definitely not the time of year to visit these things…
3) Strolled through the Citadel Park – in the rain.
4) Ate lunch at Ventura. This was a very much a local favorite and when I say local, I mean I think I was the only tourist there. I had their tomato and meatball soup with a cup of tea. The best places to go are where the locals eat!
5) Went to see a statue that locals don’t really know much about, to shop at the House of Vintage (not impressed), and to peek at the Van Eyck Pool.
6) Bought fries at Josef. It is supposed to be one of the last fries stands where the owner really cuts the potatos and makes every batch special…. They were delicious.
7) Sat in a café to relax
8) Passed by the Boho café, which is a sewing café. They have sewing machines you can rent by the hour, you can go just to get sewing tips, or you can just have a drink and enjoying the love of sewing. Great idea.
9) Ate dinner at Het Gouden Hoofd. Originally this restaurant was were farmers would go to eat after they had sold their cows.
10) Hung out in the Hot Club of Gand with Jonas, who was born and raised in Ghent and was an off duty bartender there. I learned about how Belgium hasn’t had a government for over a year!
Wednesday I stopped by a little shop called Tierenteyn before heading off to the train station and off to Bruges. I really liked Ghent – it is less touristy than many places, which is always a plus, and really beautiful.
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