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February 16, 2005
Bruge Beguinage
One of the features of the Flemish culture was the Beguinage, a sort of convent cum refuge for women. The core of a Beguinage is a traditional convent, but it was also home to women of substance who chose to remain unmarried after widowhood and to withdraw from the world while continuing to manage their own affairs. The large Beguinage at Bruge still houses a convent, but most of the other dwellings within its walls are now used by couples and families.
The outer wall of the Beguinage with the canal "dam" in the foreground.
The enclosure still has its Convent Church at its heart, and the two large courts are surrounded by the living quarters. It is a place of rare peace even when it is full of tourists.
If you visit Bruge, you can reach the Beguinage by boat along the canal or by horse-drawn carriage from the main square - or you can simply walk!
One more thing you should know about this country - beer is to the Belgians what wine is to the French. Belgians have over four hundred different varieties of beer, and each has its own shape and style of glass. A meal eaten in the traditional Belgian manner will disclose that there is a different beer for each course. Oh, and the full "formal" meal is seven courses, and the guests change tables at the half way point in accordance with a pre-arranged seating plan. This sensible arrangement means that the guests sit with a different group for the rest of the meal.
Guess who enjoys Belgium?!
Posted by The Gray Monk at February 16, 2005 09:16 AM