G(h)ent

Christmas is the best time to visit Belgium. There are Christmas markets in lots of the cities, decorations are up all over the streets, the buildings are beautifully lit, there are great Christmas beers you can only get during December...

That said, Gent did not have its Christmas market open when we got there. Get it together, Ghent. Don't be different just to be different, Ghent.

We didn't miss out on too much due Ghent's lack of festal spirit, though. The ferris wheel wasn't open for riders yet, but due to the high wind gusts that was probably a good thing. Instead we decided to climb the Belfry and have a look at Gent from on high. Did I mention the high velocity wind screaming through the tower? The ascent really wasn't that bad (I'm looking at you, Nieuwe Kerk in Delft!) and the wind and its vibrations were actually quite stunning but I could not handle being outside at the top. Joe was fine, but I only made it 1/4 way around before I had to turn back from the turning of my guts and fear of the sucking wind.

Brussels has a bigger city feel, and Bruges is its own  Super Mario World. The city center of Ghent doesn't have an immediately obvious, dominant character. And that's okay. It's still a wonderful place to visit, even if the reasons can't be summed up in some poetic tagline.

Tourists walk and residents bike. Tramways and canals surround everything and serve as reference points when you're finding your way down curved streets. Our Air BnB  was within walking distance of everything we could have possibly wanted.

Jozef Friture @ St. Jacob's -- excellent frites from a shed next to an old church, great for walking around and admiring the architecture

Harira En on Oudberg -- Hearty West African cuisine in the heart of the international food street, among Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Asian options. A couscous entree is enough to split.

Waterhuis -- Right along the canal, the bar's room is comfortable, and at our visit they had 2 exclusive taps: Klokke Roeland and Gandavum among all of the Belgian brews you could want.

Climbing the Belfry of Ghent -- Elevator or by foot, worth the view

The Crypts at St. Baafskathedral (St. Bavo's) -- An enormous space beneath the church houses tombs, art, and illuminated manuscripts

Dulle Griet -- bar right at the Friday market with a pub atmosphere, plenty of taps, and a nice view of the square

Gravensteen Castle -- Awesome museum inside an old castle that was still used into the 19th century, with plenty of weapons, torture items, and other objects you likely don't have in your apartment.

Galgenhuisje -- a pub on the Groentenmarkt Square that has a tiny main room with tables, good taps, and a quiet atmosphere on a Thursday at 2:00.

Ketchup -- more or less Ghent's Burger King, but since there aren't many decent budget dining options, it's worth the trip for a fast lunch

Here's a link to the Bruges-Ghent photo album if you missed when the pictures went up originally:
GHENT PHOTOS