Bruges Trip

The church bells ring in the misty morning. Red-tiled roofs, winding canals, the belfry towering over the old town of Bruges. Megan and Josh, an American couple, have just stepped out of the train station. Carrying small suitcases, their eyes filled with wonder. Josh, with bright eyes. Is this a movie set, or did we time travel? Megan, both, but with better waffles. They are walking along the Gros-Nourez Canal. Boats glide under moss-covered stone bridges, pigeons fly over old roofs. Megan stops to take a photo, the light from the water reflecting on her face. Josh, this lighting is making your freckles a favor. Megan, laughing. Bruges, where even your pores look cinematic. They enter a famous chocolate shop. The saleswoman gives each of them a praline filled with a filling. Megan takes a bite, eyes wide. I think I just met my real soulmate. Josh. I'm jealous of a truffle. Megan, still chewing. You should be. They climb the 366 steps of the belfry, breathing and laughing. Josh. I can see all of Belgium from here, and my regrets. Megan gasping. Don't talk, just suffer beautifully. They sit on the steps of Grote Markt, eating fries with special sauce. People cycle by, church bells ring. Megan leans on Josh's shoulder. Megan. It's weird. Everything's so old, but nothing feels tired. Josh. Like us, only slightly better preserved. They walk across St. Bonifacius Bridge as the streetlights come on. The water under the canal reflects the warm yellow light, sparkling like a fairy tale. Josh took out his phone to record a short video. Josh. So future we can remember this day. Megan smiling. Or so we can make everyone jealous on Instagram. Josh. Both. Definitely both. Megan, voiceover. In Bruges, even silence has texture. And love? It just echoes softer here.