Pictures and Words: Lyle Such
Camera: Canon 5D MkIV & Mavic Pro
In Bruges...we made it after what turned out to be a much longer road trip than we had planned. The city itself was a curious place, surrounded by a moat and full of one way streets...and the alcoves, so many alcoves. The wifi and phone signal were nearly non-existant, so navigation In Bruges was a very difficult task. We circled and circled, and after countless wrong turns we found the bed and breakfast we would be staying at while In Bruges.
Walking around In Bruges had me conflicted. I loved the buildings, the history, even the odd layout of each block. It really felt like we had stepped back in time. However, it was so overrun with tourists that it was hard to enjoy being In Bruges without constantly being reminded that we were in a giant tourist trap. Luckily we were staying In Bruges during the week, and as the evening approached the crowds dispersed, and we felt a little more left alone to explore the city. It really is hard to complain though, there wouldn’t be such a crowd if it wasn’t such a beautiful place In Bruges.
Belfry of Bruges
A stay in Bruges wouldn’t be complete without climbing the 366 steps to the top of the medievil bell tower in the center of the city. We set out early to avoid the crowds and it paid off. We were mostly alone on our climb, and had plenty of time to explore each room on our way to the top.
Once we reached the top, we had a complete 360 degree view of Bruges and the surrounding area. It was beautiful, the old stone of the city, the green of the forests off in the distance, and the blue sky dotted with just the right amount of clouds to make the photos come to life. We didn’t have to wait long for the bells to start chiming, which drew a good sized crowd in the tiny observation tower.
On our way down, we happened to peer into a little glass window and found the man operating the bells. What a shock! We thought it was all automated, but a man actually sits in a tiny little room and plays each tune by hand. The organist (or bellist?) fit the part perfectly. Nobody else seemed to notice the room, so we felt like we had discovered a little secret to the belfry.
The most fun part of being in Bruges was meeting up with the other Buus. They had visited the city over the previous weekend, and because of the crowds and walls were calling it a prison. During the week there were less people, so they had more freedom to run around and be kids. We visited churches, canals, and just wandered around any street that looked inviting. The kids grew fond of racing around the monument located in the middle of the town center, they even brought other kids in on the fun.
La Nuit Blanche Guesthouse
The Lover’s Bridge joins La Nuit Blance to the church. Once known as The Bridge Of Sighs, prisoners would cross it on their way to the gallows.
One of the main highlights for us while in Bruges was our stay at La Nuit Blanche. Built in the 15th century, this small Gothic mansion served as a house of waiting for soon to be executed prisoners, a tannery, a shop for dyeing, an iron forge, home to Baron Joseph van der Elst (who restored the building to it’s original state), and finally studio and home to artist David De Graef.
La Nuit Blanche sits directly on the canal, adjacent to the Notre-Dame church, and it allowed us private access to the grounds of the church at night. The house itself has been meticulously restored, every object and surface was a constant reminder that we were staying in a piece of living history.
David De Graef - Artist
The owner of La Nuit Blanche was an artist named David De Graef. He purchased the home around 10 years ago, and transformed it into a working art studio, home and bed & breakfast. During the day, he opens the studio up to the public and allows anyone curious about his work or the building to stroll through while he answers questions or just continues on with his painting.
We were so busy in Bruges that we only saw David briefly as we came and went. On our final morning, however, we spent some time with him and learned about his life and his work. I was surprised, almost shocked, when instead of an elaborate set of paints, he pulled out an airbrush. It was such a clinical and precise tool, especially for someone working in an environment like La Nuit Blanche! He was a master, though, and wielded it with the care and craftmanship that one would show towards a traditional set of brushes and paint. His work was very dark and thought provoking, incorporating themes such as love, seasons, life and death, knowledge, and even donkeys. The imagery was a little disturbing and twisted, and an interesting contrast to his aloof and bubbly personality. It really was an honor to meet and spend time with David..
