Bruges, an hour commute from Brussels, still retains its medieval appearance. It was never bombed, and bans billboards and high rises. This early morning view from a bridge overlooking a glassy canal with its picturesque pair of swans is as close as we can get to time travel. Little seems to have changed in this scene since the middle ages, at least on the outside. The surface of the water itself is the key to this image. There was no wind, and the dimensions of this canal were relatively modest, making the water as smooth as glass. The only texture in the water comes from the concentric ripples encircling one of the swans. The rest of the water reflects the houses, trees and clouds and one of the swans perfectly. The light also plays a role in the calming effect of this reflection – the low angle of the sun bathes the buildings in color, while the reflections of the gray clouds darkens the water, heightening the sense of calm and creating an idyllic mood.