Hello from Bruges!   So - mom and I slept like rocks our first night in Paris.  We both woke up at 3 am, turned on a light and read our books for about 15 minutes.  We then slept again solid until 8 am Paris time.  I feel so much better this time with jet lag than I did 10 years ago.  We got ready and headed to Gare du Nord.  Soon we were boarding onto our first class seats on Thalys heading to Belgium.  The ride was smooth, fast and beautiful.  And we had a nice guy help us with our luggage. When we arrived in Bruges it was about 68 degrees and sunny.  Getting a taxi was easy and 7 euro later we were winding through the town square and checking into our hotel.  Hotel Ter Brughe is quaint, historic and modern.  Along the canal our room is so pretty. It's spacious and very European.  Mom and I changed clothes quickly and walked the 4 minute walk back to the square.  The Markt is busy with shoppers and tourists.  We window shopped and had beer at The Monk - fab selection of Belgian Beers.  Everyone was very friendly and the bartender told us that Bruges is population 62,000.   There is beer and chocolate everywhere and beautiful architecture.  Toward the end of the evening we sat on a patio listening to Italian and Flemish; tourists visiting over an aperitif. I noticed dark clouds approaching so we paid our tab and headed back to hotel.  Within minutes large drops fell from the sky but it was fun running along the cobblestone back to our hotel (where they had wine waiting for us).   Tomorrow we will go to the Belfort (tower) and Bruges museums and check out the Markt (market).    I hope to climb the 366 steps of the Belfort for a panoramic photo op!  Photos to follow.   Xoxo