Legends from our own lunchtimes

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

The Lie of the Land.
Monday 20th August - Gent


We haven’t met anyone who has been to Gent who hasn’t declared it to be their favourite city, or at least very close to it, and the first impression left us in no doubt that it is well on its way to becoming one of ours.  That impression was admittedly influenced by the weather and the atmosphere of the crowd intent on getting on with their enjoyment of a perfect Sunday afternoon.  

Today with skies slightly tinged with grey and the city back at work, we thought we’d eschew the tourist paths, perhaps to discover some different angles. We are no less enamoured with the place, but we are not quire ready to join the tourists, content to watch them from afar, while we quietly absorb “our” new city and get to know the lie of the land a bit.   

Perhaps tomorrow we will be as one with them, standing in lines to see the sights, traveling on the tour boats listening to the commentary in five languages, joining that frenetic rush to soak up two thousand years of history in a one-hour guided tour.  When that’s done, we will be content to see whatever we’ve missed at our own pace, however many return visits that may take.
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3 comments

Vallypee said...

Your distance has made your eye still keener! Fabulous photo!

Don said...

Right up at the top of the list of our favorite cities.
If you have the time, make sure you visit the altarpiece "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" and the companion exhibition on it's restoration. Not only is it a fabulous work of art but the techniques involved in the restoration are fascinating.

Don

bitingmidge said...

Thanks Don, I'm not sure how one would ever get time to see everything here. We have already made our plans to return, and return!

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