Zeebruge, Belgium May 2, 2017

Zeebrugge is an industrial port but it is the gateway to Brugge (Bruges), one of the most visited tourist cities in Belgium. There lives the Van Maele family, my friends since 1979 when I first met them the year after their son, Jan, was an AFS Exchange Student at Morse High School where I taught. In my many trips to Europe, I was always warmly welcomed at their home. It was a privilege to see them again.
Peter Van Maele picked me up in Zeebrugge and we did a little sightseeing in Lissewege and Damme before going to the home of his parents where Mrs. Van Maele had prepared a delicious meal in my honor. We had a good time catching up on the years since I had last seen them. Douwe and Eline arrived with their little daughter who is the delight of her grandparents as well has her parents. Douwe drove me back to Zeebrugge where I was one of the last ones to return to the ship before it sailed. Whew!

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Typical old Flemish village neighborhood

Bell tower of Our Lady’s Church (13th Century)

Graveyard around the church

Tulips in bloom

World War I Memorial

Willem van Saeftinghe—hero of the Battle of the Golden Spurs of 1302 against the French

Peter and I stop at a pub in the center of the village for a beer
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Damme is only six kilometers North of Brugge and is linked the larger city by a tree lined canal

Canal tour boat headed for Brugge

This was a working windmill until a few years ago

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Our Lady of Damme. The 13C-14C church was considered too big for the town’s population in the 17C, and so the nave was demolished

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Damme Town Hall

Walking back to the car

Valeer and Veva Van Maele

Mrs. Van Maele is a wonderful cook. Always fresh food. White asparagus were the specialty of the season

Dominique and Peter

Marjan

Eline, Robin, Douwe

Playing with the granddaughter

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Douwe and Robin

Peter with Dad