Mont-Saint-Michel, France

Mont-Saint Michel Abbey, France

Mont-Saint-Michel

Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany stand the 'Wonder of the West', a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St Michael, and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls. Built between the 11th and 16th centuries, the abbey is a technical and artistic tour de force, having had to adapt to the problems posed by this unique natural site.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/80

I must say that pictures does not grant justice to how breath taking this place is. Towering over the sea stands the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. It is truly spectacular to see the medieval structure surrounded by water. Inside the abbey are winding steps with cobbled stones dating 460 AD. Today, the abbey has been modernized to accommodate tourist from all over the world. However, walking through the rubles and feeling the ocean breeze, you can just immerse yourself to the times where knights used this fortress as a tower for bloodshed and wars.

But what makes the trip to the abbey the most memorable was experiencing for the first time in my life the kindness of people in the most unexpected places. 

Sharing my story would sound unreal and one would even say that it only happens in movies. 

With our huge luggage and carry-on bags, three stooges withstand the sleepless nights to be able to reach Mont Saint-Michel. It is the one place we would not dare missing out while we're in Europe. Combating the cold, lack of sleep and excitement we were able to reach the abbey; and yes, the place surpass our expectations. However, we were so exhausted that when we step out of the van carrying us from the abbey to the town, where our bags were, we didn't notice the time. The last bus departed just five minutes from the time we arrived! Panic rushed through our bodies because if we missed the bus, then we will surely miss our train. Our funds were dwindling and we cannot afford to buy another ticket nor stay in the town.Three minds were racing for ideas, and three hearts were trying to find a level of calmness that simply wasn't there. I was already ready to drop dead naked and wish for a miracle to all the saints I know. Then right on cue, my friend talked to a lady inside the hotel and she was able to also ask help from someone. The man offered to drive us to the train station; and a huge sigh of relief washed all over my body. I felt like crying at the backseat of the car as I cannot contain the feeling of an overwhelming gratitude. He even went above and beyond to make sure that we are on the right train.

This person's name is Jean-Yves Vetele....president of the Hotel that we asked help from. Of all the people we happen to meet, a man in a suit showed us kindness; and he just happens to be the person who runs the hotels in the area!

I can definitively say miracles and angels exist; and to top it all of, this incident happened in the church where my favorite archangel is.

The Three Stooges

Belgian Chocolate

Handmade Chocolate
- Bruuge -

Chocolate

An aphrodisiac that makes all your worries fade away.

I’ve always been a chocoholic and even when I was kid, whenever I see chocolate, my eyes go wide and my mouth would drool. Now that I'm an adult, chocolate has become my best friend on those days when I feel like my world is collapsing. It is also my companion to get me through the insurmountable tasks I have during the day. Chocolate is and will always be our comfort food regardless of what age we are in; what language we speak or even the color of our skin.

During my travels, I was lucky enough to be able to experience hand made Belgian chocolate. So if you're having a European tour, I would suggest not to miss out on this authentic treat.

The rich texture of cocoa in your mouth will make all sense and logic leave your inner being. It is sinfully delicious. However, unlike any other chocolate, Belgian chocolate have a distinct taste that lingers and creates a memory imprint in your brain. What makes it so special is how rich and velvety smooth it truly is. That aroma and taste remains even after you've consumed one single bar. This develops into an insatiable craving for more. It doesn't matter if you get dark chocolate, milk chocolate or even their white chocolate; the sensation is the same.

You would want to devour.

To indulge

To be sinful

Yet, like all things in life, although we want more than what we have, we got to admit that there’s a time to simply enjoy what we just had.

To stop wanting and start appreciating.

Finding the contentment that we get to experience things, and have things that not all people get to enjoy is what I think is most important. So unlike the chubby cheek kid in the Willy Wonka movie, who had the greed of wanting to eat all the chocolate in the factory; I just want to be like Charlie and appreciate a single bar

... and the beauty of being able to experience it.

- Brussels -
Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

Photo Owned

"Let Me Be The One"

Artist: Jimmy Bondoc

Somebody told me you were leavin’

I didn’t know

Somebody told me you’re unhappy

But it doesn’t show

Somebody told me that you don’t want me no more

So you’re walkin’ out the door

Nobody told me you’ve been cryin’

Every night

Nobody told me you’d been dyin’

But didn’t want to fight

Nobody told me that you fell out of love from me

So I’m settin’ you free

Let me be the one to break it up

So you won’t have to make excuses

We don’t need to find a set up where

Someone wins and someone loses

We just have to say our love was true

But has now become a lie

So I’m tellin’ you I love you one last time

And goodbye

Somebody told me you still loved me

Don’t know why

Nobody told me that you only

Needed time to fly

Somebody told me that you want to come back when

Our love is real again

Just turn around and walk away

You don’t have to live like this

But if you love me still then stay

Don’t keep me waiting for that final kiss

We can work together through this test

Or we can work through it apart

I just need to get this off my chest

That you will always have my heart

Sometimes in every relationship, we come to a point that goodbyes are the best thing we can do for the one we love. It has become suffocating that the very air you breathe becomes the air that lets your heart die slowly. Funny thing is, it’s not even your heart that's dying but theirs. Letting go of someone will be the hardest thing anyone can do; and especially will be the most difficult if you’re the first person to walk out the door. However, you can’t say that the love you have for each other is lost.

It will always be there.

The only problem is, the love that once was changed to a love unknown. To a point that words of “I love you” becomes words of “goodbye”.

So if you have too…

Be the one to tell her… or be the one…

to fight for her