Michael Makes It to Leuven
Our very full summer culminated in one final visit from Paul’s brother Michael, who joined us in Leuven for a week at the end of August.
Having settled into our new apartment just a few weeks prior to Michael’s visit, we had some home improvement projects to complete, and we didn’t hesitate to put him to work.
Max was thrilled to have his uncle stay with us, and became his shadow for the entire week. The two have a special relationship, since Michael is Max’s godfather.
Michael’s visit coincided with the feast day of Max’s namesake, Saint Maximilian Kolbe. We celebrated with cake, and Max learned how to blow out a candle.
Going to Ghent
One of the highlights of Michael’s visit was a day trip we took to Ghent.
Ghent is quite picturesque: much like Brugge, it’s a town built upon the water, and is home to impressive architecture of different periods and styles.
Upon arriving in Ghent, we made our way to the old city center, dense with waterfront cafes, guildhouses, and soaring medieval cathedrals.
We couldn’t pass up a visit to Sint-Niklaaskerk, a 13th century church built in a gothic style. Max is becoming quite the architectural and sacred art critic, and enjoyed seeing the interior of the church.
From there we headed to Sint Baafskathedraal, which houses the famous “Ghent Altarpiece”, Hubert and Jan van Eyck’s Het Lam Gods (The Lamb of God). On the way, we passed by the Belfry of Ghent, which at 91 meters is the tallest bell-tower in all of Belgium.
We spent the remainder of the afternoon walking along the riverfront, marveling at the 12th century Gravensteen Castle, and exploring the side alleys and quaint neighborhoods of Ghent.
More to come soon…