Goodbye November and hello December! November was a great month with just the right balance of activities. We managed to squeeze in another vacation, this time to Dublin, Ireland! It was another quick weekend trip through the military BSRT, but we made the most of it. The trip started with a funny hiccup when we arrived at the airport and realized Liam had left his bag at home on the table. We couldn’t help but laugh, and our first stop in Dublin was a mall to grab him socks, underwear, and an outfit. This was our first flight since moving to Europe, and we flew Ryanair, the budget airline known for charging for everything. Luckily, we each had just an under-the-seat bag, and no one measured it, even though it was over the free size—so we got lucky! We arrived at the airport three hours early with no traffic and a smooth TSA experience, leaving us time to enjoy a delicious chocolate croissant breakfast and shop for goodies at the duty-free store. The flight itself was quick at just an hour and 45 minutes. We landed too early to check into our hotel, but they kindly stored our bags so we could go shopping for Liam’s clothes. We found a massive three-story mall, which was exciting since we don’t have all those shops where we live. TK Max was a highlight—I love shopping there! There’s one in London and now I’ve been to the one in Dublin. Belgium doesn’t have a TK Max, and maybe that’s for the best.After our shopping trip, we went to lunch. I always check restaurant reviews and discovered a hidden gem called Mister S—wow! The exterior isn’t very noticeable, and we even walked past it the first time, but we still made our reservation on time. Although the weekend flew by quickly, we managed to tour Dublin Castle with a guide, take a Viking Splash Tour of the city, visit the Illusion Museum, enjoy a dinner theater featuring Riverdance performers, savor authentic Irish food at a charming local pub, and even squeeze in some shopping along the way!
In November, we visited our first Christmas market of the season with the SHAPE tour group in Cologne, Germany. It was such a treat not having to drive or worry about parking, as everything was taken care of. The day was cold and wet, much like our time in Dublin and Cologne so far, but it didn’t bother us. Cologne has four Christmas markets, and while they mostly offer the same treats, each has its own charm—some traditional, others more modern. Our mission was to try every food stall, and we nearly succeeded! I had planned to take photos of all the delicious goodies, but in my excitement, I forgot. We also toured the Cologne Cathedral, and I was in awe from the moment we stepped inside. The stunning Gothic architecture, with construction beginning in 1248 and completed in 1880, was breathtaking. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s famous for its intricate art and vibrant stained glass windows. The highlight for me was the large golden sarcophagus believed to hold the relics of the Magi. We spent the entire day enjoying the markets and had a wonderful start to the Christmas season.
Game nights with friends, whether attending or hosting, are something I look forward to every month. I played Bunco and scored the most wins! Hosting Pokeno at my house made it feel even more like home.
In November, I spent a lot of time working at the school and even got to enjoy my first snow of the season while there. I love being able to walk with Liam to and from school and spend time with him during the day. I never expected to become a substitute teacher, especially for high schoolers, but it’s a wonderful place to work with amazing people, and I feel truly grateful for the experience.
Liam wrapped up his volleyball season at the high school, and we were thrilled to find a local team for him to join. Finding a sport he’s passionate about is important, and we’re glad he can keep playing year-round. At first, he was nervous since his teammates are Belgian and don’t really speak English, but he’s doing great and even picking up some French as he practices and plays.
It’s hard to believe how fast November flew by, but we’re really enjoying our first holiday season in Belgium.
Comments
Post a Comment