WAITING -- October 2006 -- Brussels

We are patiently waiting for our flight to Brussels! YAHOO! Are we there yet?

The Grand Place

I am guarding the Grand Place by night....STAY BACK!

The Icon of Brussels!

You just can't go to Brussels and not see the Maneken Pis. It is huge! We are talking gigantic, and that is why there is such a big fuss over it. In fact, the normal comment is: "That's it!"

They even dress him up on special occasions. So, there you have it....none other than the impressive Maneken Pis.

First Meal in Brussels!

Our first meal in Brussels at a little bar near the center of the city. I ordered the traditional: mashed potatoes with leeks, sausages, and gravy. Absolutely delicious! Leah ordered chicken curry with rice, and she wasn't complaining either!

On the way back to the hotel......

On the way back to the hotel, and what do I see? A whale of course!

Brouge...A BIG Thanks to Andres, Marisa, and Aby!

I owe a big thanks to Andres, Marisa, and Aby for their incredible hospitality. It was truely wonderful to see them again, and I enjoyed their company every minute that I was with them. We started with a walking tour of the city, then we ate lunch in one of the main squares. We would pop in and out of shops along the way, and take a boat ride later. We visited a church, once hidden from the Calvinists, and we ended with having coffee/tea/hot chocolate in a small café nearby. It was truely marvelous and an incredible experience I will never forget.
To Andres, Marisa, and Aby: Os quiero muchísimo! BESOS

Lunch in Brouge!

Lunch in Brouge was nothing short of the typical. In the photo, you can see Andres and I with our Beligium beer! It almost looks like a Chemistry experiment, but whatever it was, it tasted pretty good! We would go on to order mussels (one pot full -and yes I mean the entire pot- in a cream sauce and the other in a tomato/pepper sauce). Marisa ordered solefish, and Aby had spaghetti.

Architecture!

The architecture in Brouge, just as in Brussels, was amazing! Actually, the sort of reminded me of gingerbread houses; they looked good enough to eat...

Quite perfect...Relaxing too!

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

The water canals of Brouge. I would have to say that it was my first boat ride EVER where it rained. Luckily, they are so used to it in Belgium, that they had umbrellas for us all.

We also saw the smallest window on this tour. The story is told of a very jealous husband who never allowed his wife to leave the house. She was only allowed to go outside into the garden. The husband had this window made so that, even there, he could keep an eye out!

Best Buddies!

If every boy were as great as this one, the world would be absolutely perfect!

Antique Market

You know how they say that someone's junk is someone else's treasure. Well, NONE of this junk was MY treasure. The market in the Midi Gardens was more suited for the type of "junk." I was looking for (a pair of shoes, earrings, and waffles) "newer junk" rather than "antique junk."

"Coffee to go please...Christine has us on a tight schedule!"

OOPS!

It was after hours walking around, after touring the Maneken Pis Museum (where all of his costumes are held), that we stopped for a coffee. As I always seem to be adventurous, I ordered an unknown off the menu: ZWAN. Do you need a hint? Well, I ordered hot chocolate to go with it. And I can certainly say, that it was a unique combination: beef jerky and hot chocolate. I must say that traveling does have its chuckles. So, next time you are in Brussels, try the Zwan!

TaTa For Now

It's time to say goodbye to our bunkbeds, how wonderful they were! Bye Brussels, Bye Brouge, Bye Andres, Marisa, and Aby. Until we meet again....

Back in Madrid with all the rain! I'm singin in the rain, just singin in the rain....!