July 14 Bastille Day.  we just arrived in Paris and plan to see the fireworks and dancing in the fire stations in celebration.
Belgium was interesting, grey and rainy.  We went to Antwerp, the diamond district which was an Hassidic enclave.  Pat was interested in a diamond; I bought a ring.  She didn't get a diamond.
Went to Bruges, beautiful city filled with tourists.  From there to Ghent which we liked much better though it was late and we only had a little time there.
Spent a day in the Netherlands with Allen's friend who took us to a working 1700s windmill; then to Amsterdam for the day.  Amsterdam has changed from the charming city I recall from year's ago to a crowded city, more chain restaurants.  But still interesting.
We've seen several museums along the way, Magritte, Autoworld, Dali, and a Museum dedicated to the Dutch Resistance WWII.
Europe is expensive.  We ate dinner in a Kosher restaurant, nothing fancy, cost 85 Euros.
Last night we spent with my cousin Anna who has been working in Brussels and soon to be moving to Switzerland.  Besides doing a chocolate-tasting tour, she took us to a view site of the city, ate all you could eat mussels and a Belgian dish similar to beef stew.  Then we watched the World Cup finals in a sports bar.  How European is that!!

Much more to tell, but it's all fading together.
Hope to meet my NYC friend today.  His apt is 5 minutees from ours.
Can't wait for my Paris croissant.  We've been eating baquette and cheese almost everyday.

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Also some pictures on facebook.