Home away from home

So, this is my first 'travel blog' entry. and all i can say is, why didn't i find this sooner, its way cooler than your average xanga, livejournal, or myspace, because it's simply dedicated to traveling.

I've pretty much decided to dedicated my first entry, to of course, non the less, the country i've been living in as a forgien exhange student for the past nine months. Belgium. but not belgium as a whole, just simply Tournai, the city in which i live (near)

Tournai is a beautiful city. its hard to discribe!! how many times have i spent hours wandering around its curvy streets, Its cute little cafes, or exploring the shops in the grand place? and i'm still not sick of it.

Tournai- i do belive, is one of the oldest citys in belgium. well, i do know, that it has the oldest cathedral in belgium. Notre Dame de Tournai. (why go to Paris to see notre dame, when you've got a stunning one right in tournai?) the church is beautiful. although- when taking a gander inside, you dont get to see all of it, because they're in the renovation stage. (and have been for about five years, but what the heck)

There is also the belfrey, its not extreamly tall, but it does give you a stunning look of the city, and the escaut- which winds through it. The escaut is probably one of my favourite parts of Tournai. (its a river by the way) Its not dirty, but its not the medeterainian either. lined up on both sides, are the most european houses you'll ever see. Its so much fun just to go to that cute little cafe on a bridge, drink some of the worlds finest beer (belgian- of course) and look over the river.

lets face it, no one goes to europe and doesnt shop. Tournai, it's no paris, but if you explore the center of the city, you'll find tons of cute little fashion boutiques, book stores, art gallerys, and so much more. Tournai also has some wonderful chocolate shops. just go explore, and i swear, you'll find so many things you dont even expect!

Tournai also has a few good museums, branching over many different subjects. (granted, you wont find the mona lisa, but the louvre is over rated anyway) the nice thing is, is that they are all located right next to eachother, and the entry price is very cheap! (something like 3 € i think)

In conclusion, all i can say is, that Tournai is a wonderful city. i've been living in it for almost a year, and I can't say i've even scratched the surface of what its got hiding.