Brugge

We missed the train out from Brussels Airport because we took the last flight from Copenhagen, arriving a few minutes after departure of the last train for the night. I could have planned it better, perhaps. Fast forward an hour and half checked in to the hotel, unpacked, and ready to start the next day explore the city of Bruges (or Brugge). The excitement could not keep me from falling asleep for we were dead tired from lack of sleep and jet lag since a few days before the short hour-something flight and another hour-something taxi ride.

I did not know about this city until we watched In Bruges ten years ago. Medieval canals and bridges, brick roads, horse carriages and ancient towers: things one would expect to see in the European south. But here is the catch: You are not in the south, you are close (or might as well call it inside) Scandinavia - clean, less chaotic, less crowded part of Europe in the west. It seemed to me as the perfect spot to get away and unwind especially in winter when nobody is around.

And, I wasn’t disappointed.

It never came across as a city I would want to photograph rather the appeal was purely in terms of getting out of town and relax. So naturally I did not pack an array of lenses and photography gear for this trip. It is possible I am slowly embracing mobile photography over using pro gear, for several reasons but the most important one being portability.

One evening however, we got into bed early so we can wake up before the morning hustle and take a few photographs of the city before sunrise.

The weather was perfect, sunny in the morning with occasional drizzle through the afternoon and then cold night time, often below zero and sometimes a little bit of snow. The city core is small enough to navigate on foot in an hour, or even less if you do not stop every corner to take photos like we do.

Would I travel again to Bruges? Perhaps I would but perhaps with a wide lens next time.