Another anomaly

For some reason, my blog says that I am not "following" anyone. Is it possible that I pressed a "delete" button of some sort? Oh well.

Anyway, the summer has been pleasant, as all summers are. I travelled to Brussels, then drove to a number of interesting places in Belgium and France. I recommend them all, at least for lovers of art, culture, food, beautiful landscapes, great biking, friendly people, stunning architecture. Here are the places I went:

1. Brussels
2. Ghent, site of Van Eyck's Altarpiece of the "mystical lamb." an amazing work of art. I saw the house that they signed the treaty that ended the War of 1812, too.
3. Bruges. I have to see the film again. The city is like an enchanted fairytale. Alas the main museum was closed for repairs. Did I mention that I was so disappointed that I cried. I cry rarely, and only when people die or when spectacular meals are ruined somehow.
4. Ypres. A battlefield site from World War One.
5. Bayeaux. The famous tapestry of the same name is worth the trip to Europe alone. But, great art moves me in a way that it might not some one else. I recall a student from a few years ago, I think she's still at Tech, so I won't out her, complained in a strident manner about how I sent the class to a museum. She went on and on about it, saying how awful it was and how meaningless etc. I rather liked her before this outburst, but afterward, I sort of felt like she and I were not members of the same species.
6. Normandy. Site of American invasion on D-day, but a lot of other stuff too, like Mont St. Michel, a sublime monastery set on an island just off the coast.
7. Chartres. The only cathedral left with a full compliment of 13th century stained glass. In every other cathedral, the local citizens destroyed all the glass during the French Revolution. Gives you some idea of how much the Church was hated.
8. Verdun. Scene of the single worst, most wasteful battle in history.
9. Argonne Forest. Site of the American offensive during World War One. There's a cemetary there that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is the largest American Cemetary outside the US, and I was the only person there. It is immaculately maintained with the most beautiful gardens, ponds, enormous tree lined paths, perfectly manicured lawns, ... and the graves of 15,000 dead Americans.

I guess most of you are packing your bags for college. A certain degree of anxiety must accompany that. I wrote an essay on my old Xanga a few years ago that I sent to my students who were "on their way." I'll try to dig it up and post it here later tonight or tomorrow.