FOODIE IN FLIP FLOPS

This blog is way overdue. To be honest I have been caught up in a love affair of  my European lifestyle and have been a slacker on sharing my travels. It's been great enjoying wine and trying new grapes that I have never even heard of before. I am discovering new cheeses and especially enjoying them for dessert, followed by an espresso. It's a good thing I like to workout and do Crossfit multiple times a week. My latest obsession is Belgian beer and it is only a hop, skip and a jump to get my hands on it!! Ghent has always intrigued me. I remember learning in history about The Treaty of Ghent and how it ended the War of 1812 between the British and the Americans a long, long time ago. It fascinated me then, and it certainly fascinates me now.  I think Ghent gets overshadowed by Bruges and Brussels, however I have been to both and Ghent has been my favorite. We stayed in the historic district of Patershol which has great walkability. The medieval city was gorgeous ...

Since moving to Köln Germany two weeks ago, we have frequented many Brauhaus's to try the different Kölsch beers. Kölsch beer is a Pale Pils and native to Köln. The beer is served in cute cylindrical glasses that are 6 and 3/4 oz. It is very refreshing, light, and easy to drink. They range from  €1,10- €1,90. It is cheaper to drink beer than to drink water!!!! There is no such thing as tap water in restaurants, it is all bottled water with gas or no gas. This is the beer from Bier Esel. They serve Sunner which is the oldest Kolsch in Koln and happens to be my favorite so far. Below is how they bring the beer to tables and they keep track of how many drinks you have by marking your coaster. The rounds keep coming until you put your coaster on top of your glass. At Paffgen Brauhaus it is your typical German beer hall, communal tables, dark wood and lots of meat offerings. We sat next to a German couple that were friendly and asked  them to suggest something off...