The business economics of Belgium baffle me. There are many practices that seem inefficient and antiquated. One such policy is that the stores in Belgium are only allowed to have big storewide sales on their 
merchandise in the months of January and July - as controlled by the government, I think? Can you imagine - no "Black Friday" or Belks discount coupons!?!?! It has caused shopping mania over here. Every store window is plastered with notices of sales ("soldes") and the shopping streets are jam-packed. I guess it could be a good jolt for these two sale months, but it is a little strange for my taste. As the month wears on the sales get better and better. I have seen many signs for 70% off! I have resisted for the most part because the euro prices are still more than the USA.
merchandise in the months of January and July - as controlled by the government, I think? Can you imagine - no "Black Friday" or Belks discount coupons!?!?! It has caused shopping mania over here. Every store window is plastered with notices of sales ("soldes") and the shopping streets are jam-packed. I guess it could be a good jolt for these two sale months, but it is a little strange for my taste. As the month wears on the sales get better and better. I have seen many signs for 70% off! I have resisted for the most part because the euro prices are still more than the USA.Another part of shopping in Belgium that I have alluded to before is the way shopkeepers and other service personnel don't seem to be motivated by courteous customer service principles. They seem oblivious and indifferent as to whether or not you give them your business; many of them make an effort to ignore you! The attitude is that you don't ask questions and definitely you never return anything - heaven forbid! So while the sales are highly anticipated, I will wait for American service and sales tactics to shop.
The other thing that is happening in Brussels right now is that July and August are MAJOR vacation months. The city basically clears out (except for the shoppers, of course). If you don't believe me just check out some of the signs plastered on shop windows on our block alone.
Of course - the epitome of indecision is exemplified in that all signs are posted in both languages spoken here - Dutch AND French!
The Marriott even posts their closure notice in English. Can you even imagine this happening in USA? A note saying, "Sorry, we are closed this month! See ya next month!" greeting customers.
Many have asked me how in the world Kirk gets so much vacation from work to be able to travel. Maybe this post will help in explaining the European culture of prioritizing vacation and the important work/life balance... And I guess that is a pretty good thing! Even if the tactics around it seem sometimes hard to understand.
Of course - the epitome of indecision is exemplified in that all signs are posted in both languages spoken here - Dutch AND French!The Marriott even posts their closure notice in English. Can you even imagine this happening in USA? A note saying, "Sorry, we are closed this month! See ya next month!" greeting customers.Many have asked me how in the world Kirk gets so much vacation from work to be able to travel. Maybe this post will help in explaining the European culture of prioritizing vacation and the important work/life balance... And I guess that is a pretty good thing! Even if the tactics around it seem sometimes hard to understand.
Connor loved all the beautiful Andalusian horses. Yep the horse breed is named after this region!
I think this might be a horse face!
Inside we waited with baited breath for the show. No photos allowed during the performance, so I can't show you. But it was over the top. The horses and riders were in such melodic synchrony as they sashayed and promenaded around. Equestrian dressage is an unbelievable sport. It seems akin to teaching a hippo how to walk a tightrope to me! Our guidebook reads, "This is an equestrian ballet with choreography, purely Spanish music, and costumes from the 19
Clearly this is not my photo (below), but I insert it because honestly this is what the horses did. They would elevate on their back hind legs and with a command would pop up into the air. Just like the horse weighed a couple of pounds. I am still baffled at how they teach this trick without breaking all of the horses legs in practice.
Connor thought the show was the best. She couldn't stop talking about the "horses dancing!!!"
I bought her 2 postcards of the "horses dancing" as a souvenir. She took those picture cards and stared at and talked to them for the rest of the day in the car. It was very cute!
We went to the 
We then drove 30 minutes down the road and through more sunflower fields to 
"
All of the narrow streets and steep hills helped us feel the burn! Especially poor Kirk who took the lead with pushing around a sleeping Connor in the stroller. Connor napped from the moment we got to 
A tight squeeze. Made our decision to park and walk up look like a good one!
It was HOT! I mean steamy hot. We walked around the white-washed streets for a while but ended up at the 
I had fun looking online at how others photographed this beautiful town. This first shot below of the arched passageway is mine, while the black and white one that follows it is from the 
Kirk and Connor along the narrow streets of white - no doubt sweating even in the shade!
An aerial shot of 
The "CROISSANT" chants reignited!
On our trip we discovered a handy game to keep Connor sitting patiently. We whip out the 
Others of us go for the more daring...like drawing a CROISSANT!
We traveled from 
This mansion we were able to catch a glimpse inside. I could tell the Islamic/Spanish overlap with the colorful tile detail and the intricate carved wood.
We went out to the point where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean ocean. Our guide told us this place is mentioned in Homer and many Greek myths. Although it was hard to take him seriously or even to focus too much because he kept calling "Homer" "Humor" and poor guy, he was missing some teeth in some strategic places. Not the easiest person to concentrate on! No worry though because Connor loved the ocean and especially this large cactus.
Then a special highlight of the trip - we RODE CAMELS! I had a hard time picking the best of the best photos because who really has the chance to ride camels in Morocco?!?! My camel is this one; she is named Fatima. 
Doesn't it just look like Fatima is smiling for the camera?!
We paraded together in a big circle. We can't help but to buckle with laughter at these photos though. Doesn't it look like Brooke's camel has a gigantic hump as opposed to the camels Kirk and I are riding? We didn't realize the difference til looking at the photos and now we see why Brooke was balancing and holding on for dear life while we were waving away with confidence. Too funny!
I'm not sure Connor knew what was happening. It is a miracle she didn't scream. Instead she held on tight to Daddy and took it all in while riding the camel's hump. 
Connor wanted to see the baby camel up close!
We went to Hercules' cave. To tell you the truth I couldn't tell you a thing about the caves - why they are there or the story of their importance. It is a big tourist trap now 
Inside the cave was an opening that looked like a backwards image of the continent of Africa!
There were many schoolchildren dressed in traditional Moroccan outfits visiting the caves too.
After the caves we entered the historic Old Town in Tangier. In this photo Kirk is following our guide. And off to the side is a snake charmer! We definitely weren't in Kansas anymore!
A peek at the beach from the Old Town.
The many doors and tile entries were charming too.
We had a demonstration from a local pharmacist about all of the local alternative herbs and medicines. It was interesting to learn about the uses for the creams and spices. 
We walked into the food market area around lunchtime. Handy, right?! The market was a feast of color, sights, and smells - just as you would imagine it. Not sure I would be comfortable getting my meats and produce this way, but it works for them. We saw a little bit of everything, even some guy walking by with freshly butchered goats strung over his shoulder.
We opted for a clean and touristy Moroccan menu at a place in the middle of the market. It was a multi-course treat with Moroccan 
This course was the best. It was a pastry with ground chicken topped with 
I can't decide who Connor looks like in this shot. But I love that look! She had just woken from her nap.
Connor lunched on her new favorite - ham and cheese. I made a promise with myself that I would bring everything from Spain that she ate. Just one of my phobias - I didn't want to deal with a sick child. Here Connor partakes the ham and cheese along with her toy camel. She was still on a high from the camel ride!
They thought Brooke was pretty cute too!
Here is a video of us dancing along....enjoy! Not sure Connor knew what to make of it all!
More colorful streets along the Old Town maze of avenues and corners.
With full bellies Muhammad led us to a shop that sold expensive rugs - like any good tour guide who was hoping for a commission off any sales would. We didn't buy anything, but enjoyed the carpet show nevertheless. Connor loved sprinting atop the ornate rugs.
Another one of my favorite shots is this one of Kirk and Connor waiting outside a shop in the Old Town while the ladies shopped away. The colors and chaos of it all screams Morocco!
We visited the American Ligation in Tangier. Kinda like an embassy. Pictured below. Still very Moroccan even if it is American!
Finally we topped off the day with a visit to the beach. The shore was wider than any other I had ever seen. Here is Connor with the Old Town in the background. 
We couldn't resist capturing this scene of the men and boys frolicking on the hot summer day with the women fully clothed in the traditional Muslim covering.
On the ferry ride back to Spain I had a Diet Coke with an Arabic label. Can you see the relief in my face? I was very happy we went to Morocco, but returning home was a great feeling too. What a sensational adventure.
Posts
