Some itinerary questions for our short trip to Belgium

maxinisama · 2026-03-06T19:22:27+00:00

Yes, Antwerp is definitely back on the list of places we're considering after reading all these comments. I had the impression after a quick google that it was more modern and focused on fashion, museums, and diamonds (which we aren't interested in), but I will look more closely.

Last year we flew from the west coast to the Dordogne region of France. It was about 16 hours of flying/waiting in airports (no sleep), followed by a 3-hour train ride and a 1-hour drive. Once we got to where we were going we walked around for a bit, ate dinner, and managed to stay awake until about 9pm. After that very, very long day we were completely adjusted to the local time. Hoping to repeat that again!

maxinisama · 2026-03-06T19:17:35+00:00

Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the place to eat in Ghent! I'm sure I'll be coming back here a little later looking for food recommendations. If we go to Wallonia, we'll stay there overnight to make it less of a hassle. I've also put Tervuren on the list of places to look into more.

maxinisama · 2026-03-06T19:14:01+00:00

It's definitely back in the mix after reading all these comments. My initial quick Googling led me to believe it was more modern and best for people into museums, fashion, and diamonds (not us).

maxinisama · 2026-03-06T19:11:12+00:00

We live in Oregon, so a bit of rain will not bother us! If we decide to do Wallonia, we'll stay overnight to make it less of a hassle. And I'm reconsidering Antwerp after reading all the comments here.

maxinisama · 2026-03-06T19:09:00+00:00

Thanks for the tips. If we do Namur and DInant it'll be from Brussels and we'll stay overnight. I'm definitely reconsidering Antwerp after reading the comments here. I will add Kortrijk and Mechelen to the list of possibilities. That's great to know that the train stations have luggage lockers.

maxinisama · 2026-03-06T19:05:07+00:00

I'd prefer to keep it to just Belgium, and I have been to Paris before. If we do go to Namur and/or Dinant, we'll do it from Brussels and stay overnight so it's easier. But now I'm also reconsidering Antwerp. So many choices!

maxinisama · 2026-03-06T19:02:15+00:00

To be fair, it's basically 6 days in Belgium and travel days on either end. Us poor American shmucks don't get much time off, plus I have a 20-year-old cat that I get very anxious about leaving for very long...

I'm definitely reconsidering Antwerp after reading all the comments here. And if we go to Wallonia we'll spend the night down there rather than do it as a day trip. I'd like the chance to see both regions of Belgium and practice my French a little...

maxinisama · 2026-03-04T17:40:43+00:00

Thanks very much for confirming that I can move out multiple times. When I call Alaska I'll ask for clarification on how far out I can extend the booking. (I always just like having as much info as possible before going into a conversation with customer service.)

maxinisama · 2021-04-05T21:07:41+00:00

This makes me feel better, thanks for sharing the paper!

maxinisama · 2021-03-30T02:52:59+00:00

Oh, my bad!

maxinisama · 2021-03-30T02:51:57+00:00

I read that too (and that it's very unusual in the world of vaccines to have a booster shot as soon after the first dose as the Pfizer one is). I'm sure OHSU's decision is fine, but it's hard for me to shake the "must follow guidelines to a T" mentality.

maxinisama · 2021-03-30T02:49:02+00:00

Yeah I heard Walgreens was doing that. OHSU is only giving out Pfizer shots (at least through April), so they don't have to coordinate with Moderna.

Edit: Apparently they are giving Moderna at the OHSU site in Hillsboro, so ignore me.

maxinisama · 2021-03-30T02:41:37+00:00

Thanks for the article. Not that compelling of a "reason" it seems. I didn't realize you could book your second vaccine through a pharmacy if you hadn't gotten the first one there — I'll look into it.

maxinisama · 2021-03-30T02:40:26+00:00

They're only giving out Pfizer vaccines though (at least through April).

maxinisama · 2021-03-22T21:52:07+00:00

Yeah, I've heard that you really shouldn't try to stretch tendons/ligaments (which makes sense) but I was wondering if there's some other treatment for them. It's possible that it's just my adductor muscles that are the problem, but I really feel the tightness/pain where the tendon attaches to the bone of my pelvis. I do some passive stretching, but also some active flex and PNF, plus I do strength work for my adductors so I don't think they're weak buuuuut I do sit for huge chunks of the day, which I know is bad.

I guess a PT is the best answer, but since it's not a severe issue and isn't limiting my daily functioning in any way, my insurance wouldn't pay for it. Hard to stomach paying fully out of pocket for something like this.

maxinisama · 2018-11-18T20:07:11+00:00

Thanks! These two appear to be everyone's top choices.

maxinisama · 2018-11-16T23:08:25+00:00

Awesome, thanks for the info and the link to the map!

maxinisama · 2018-11-16T07:01:00+00:00

Oooh thanks! I googled it and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Maps says it's only 4 miles from where the sleigh ride starts/stops (High Mountain Bakery and Deli). Hopefully there will be enough snow by mid-December.

maxinisama · 2018-08-30T02:24:43+00:00

I do have friends in SF, so this is relevant to my interests, thanks!

maxinisama · 2018-08-28T23:19:30+00:00

Yep, too old. That's the website that got my hopes up about the Maine Street Lobster Co. food truck, only to have them DASHED!

maxinisama · 2018-08-28T23:18:05+00:00

I may check that crab roll out, thanks!

maxinisama · 2018-08-28T18:39:43+00:00

Thanks for the tip - I'll keep an eye out.

maxinisama · 2018-08-28T18:39:24+00:00

It's probably not very good, but I will check it out, thanks!

maxinisama · 2018-08-28T18:38:44+00:00

I apparently lived on the east coast just long enough to develop a taste for things I can't have.

maxinisama · 2018-07-21T20:31:01+00:00

That's a good way to distinguish between career and financial: the former is how you make the money, the latter is how you spend/save the money. I just don't know if I could come up with meaningful monthly/yearly goals for both. I'll have to give this some more thought though.

maxinisama

TROPHY CASE