Day 64-Belgium, Antwerp

Time is so weird here. The days pass so quickly, but I feel like yesterday was a week ago. And Rome? Rome was a completely different lifetime. I guess it's a good thing I focus on one day at a time or I'm pretty sure I'd get overwhelmed.

This afternoon we arrived in Antwerp, which has turned out to be one of my favorite places on this entire trip (it's really close to Ireland and Greece on the scale). I loved all the belgian architecture (especially the buildings with moss growing up the side), loved the bajillion chocolatiers, loved the lace shops, and absolutely loved the rain! We actually got rained in while we were in a cathedral for an hour because it was so crazy outside (almost as crazy as Ireland!) with thunder and really heavy rain. It was amazing.

Another thing Antwerp's famous for is the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens who does incredible pieces and was really one of the most important and influential artists in the history of art. Most of the art we saw today consisted of Rubens' altarpieces and other religious works. They were beautiful!

Other random things I did today: 1) walked into a perfumery shop (which has become quite a popular thing for me to do lately) just to smell wonderful and smell wonderful scents, 2) ate real Belgian frites with this incredible sauce I can't describe, 3) snuck out half a calzone in my purse from this Italian place we went for dinner (which made me miss Italy), and 4) walked past at least 30 diamond stores within a quarter mile. Antwerp is known for its diamonds!

It was such a great day :) I'm sad to leave, but I know Bruges will be up to par as well! Plus I'll still be in Belgium. How exciting is that?!?