Gent

Saturday morning we left the farm and headed to Gent for a day and a night. We've been here before briefly but it was crowded for a festival and we wanted to see it minus festival madness. It's really pretty with lots of medieval architecture and cobbled streets, similar to Bruges, but with a more subdued and calm vibe.

We saw the beautiful Sint-Baafs Cathedral which was built in the 1100s with a blend of Romanesque, high and late Gothic influence. High ceilings, large sculptures, lots of detailing and stained glass windows. The stained glass windows were explained as the "poor man's Bible," telling Bible stories to the poor and illerate. The cathedral holds one of the earliest-known oil paintings, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Completed in 1432, it was done with attention to minute details of beards and jewelry.

There was a short drizzle, which seemed to fit with the style of the town. We tried a Belgian waffle, walked through shops, and sat on benches watching Belgians on bikes and walking dogs.

Heading to Krakow, Poland this evening.