Antwerp is my kind of town!!

I decided to escape the boys and head to Antwerp for the day… and OH my gosh I had so much fun! I didn’t want to leave!

Antwerp is the world’s diamond cutting center! 80% of the worlds diamonds pass through this lovely port city. It’s also the fashion capital of Belgium. Can you blame a girl for not wanting to leave?!?

Antwerp is the epitome of contrasting the old with the new. It’s an incredibly chic and stylish city in an extremely old town. You’ve got top of the line fashion designers and other modern influences mixed in with historic architecture and museums. For example, you can literally walk out of Marc Jacobs, (rewind a few thousands years) and walk into a an ancient castle. I love this sort of stuff!... It’s totally me! –Trendy yet traditional :P

So, ANYWAY, after the 7€ and 45 minute train ride I was welcomed by the gorgeous train station located in the diamond district… diamond stores everywhere!! I then got lost on my way to the diamond museum. I wasn’t worried though… I was accompanied by girls’ best friends =).

After asking two different people for directions, (PS: I’m in Flemish country now so throw in that language barrier too) I finally found the museum. I’d say spending two hours in a museum is a little much. But time flies when you’re having fun, right? Other than being seduced by dazzling diamond jewelry I learned all about Antwerp’s 500-year diamond history and cutting techniques they still use to achieve maximum brilliance. It was really interesting.

The next stop was supposedly the fashion museum and institute. Instead I got sucked into Meir (shopping street with tons of international clothing stores) on my way there. I saw it all and lost track of time -I’m that girl. As I looked around I fell in love with this unique, lavendar-colored top from a Denmark based store –had to buy it, can’t wait to wear it.

By the way, there were soooo many TALL beautiful people around. I was on heels and some girls towered over me. Some appeared as though they just stepped off the runway. I’d constantly find myself checking out people’s shoes and outfits thinking how unique, stylish and well put together! The way it should be!

I then wandered into the Antwerp square –my favorite square in Belgium so far. So pretty and colorful! Near by was the breathtaking “Our Lady’s Cathedral”. I happened to walk in just in time for Saturday mass. It was in Flemish but mass is a language I do understand, so it wasn’t hard to follow along. It was such a nice experience; especially in that spectacular church. Here I saw Peter Paul Ruben’s “The Decent from the Cross” which I learned about at Mizzou.

After mass I finally made it to the port. It was nothing to write home about (haha I’m writing about it now) but it was really cool to see/smell the ocean. I loved the castle right next to it! I actually hung out by the port for a while… I kept imagining the in&out of diamonds and textiles throughout the years.

Anyway, it got dark so I rushed back to the central station hoping I hadn’t missed the last train back to Brussels. I got there with 4 minutes to spare! Pheww. I’ll definitely go back and see the rest of Antwerp another day.

As for Frankie… I know Chicago is really cool and all. But, I must say, Antwerp is MY kind of town :P