🏰 Ghent & Bruges: Medieval Magic, Waffle Cravings & a Bike Lane Meltdown 🚲

Hey squad! Just got back from Belgium’s dynamic duo—Ghent and Bruges—where I devoured enough chocolate to fuel a small army, got *hopelessly* tangled in bike lanes, and fell hard for towers that belong in a Disney movie. Let’s rehash the chaos! **First Impressions:** Bruges was like stepping into a snow globe—minus the snow. Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages clattering past, and the *sweet, buttery* scent of waffles slathered in Nutella. Ghent? Think Bruges’ cooler, artsy cousin: Gothic spires, funky street art, and canals lined with cafes blasting indie beats. 🎶 **Hidden Gem Alert 🔍:** In Bruges, ditch the crowds and sneak into **Minnewater Park** at sunrise. Swans glide on the lake, mist hangs over the water, and it’s so quiet you’ll hear your own *”wow”*. In Ghent, hunt down **Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant**—a cozy pub with *300+ beers* and a bartender who’ll school you on Trappist brews. 🍻 **The Great Waffle Incident 🧇:** At **Li O Lait** in Bruges, I ordered a waffle with “just a little” chocolate. The result? A tsunami of melted Belgian chocolate that dripped onto my jeans. Cue me scrubbing stains in a medieval bathroom while a toddler pointed and laughed. *Worth it.* **Bike Lane Blunders 🚲:** Rented a bike in Ghent, feeling *Euro-chic*… until I accidentally joined a Critical Mass-style cyclist mob. Panicked, I followed them for 10 minutes before realizing we were just… circling the same church. A local smirked, “Tourist detour, eh?” *Mortified.* **48 Hours in Flemish Fantasyland ⏰** *Day 1 – Bruges:* - **8 AM:** Coffee + people-watching at **De Proeverie** (their hot chocolate is *liquid velvet*). ☕ - **10 AM:** Climb the **Belfry Tower**—366 steps for views that’ll make your quads forgive you. - **1 PM:** Lunch at **Tom’s Diner**—order the carbonnade flamande (beef stew) with a side of fries *drowned* in mayo. - **4 PM:** Canal cruise 🚤—cheesy? Yes. Magical? Also yes. - **8 PM:** Nightcap at **‘t Brugs Beertje**—try the *Brugse Zot* beer. *Day 2 – Ghent:* - **9 AM:** Explore **Gravensteen Castle**—channel your inner knight (or damsel in distress). ⚔️ - **12 PM:** Flemish meatballs at **Frituur Jozef**—greasy, glorious, and *€5*. - **3 PM:** Street art hunt in **Werregarenstraat** (aka Graffiti Alley). 🎨 - **6 PM:** Sunset at **Graslei**—sit by the canal with a local *jenever* (gin) and pretend you’re in a Van Gogh painting. **Pro Tips:** ➜ **Walk everywhere**—both cities are tiny and *too* pretty to rush. ➜ **Say “dank je”** (thanks)—Flemish folks *love* when you try. ➜ **Beware cobblestones + heels**—they’re mortal enemies. Ghent and Bruges, you’re the medieval dream team. My jeans are chocolate-stained, my calves hate me, but my camera roll? *Chef’s kiss.* *Slide into my DMs for more mishaps… or just follow the scent of waffles. 🍫✨*