Grand Place Christmas tree
Yummy waffles!
Sure enough, the train tickets from London to Brussels were insane but that’s what Mike & Sara get for trying to be spontaneous European travelers. I did find it hilarious that the suitcases they brought for 1 week were each the size of my suitcases I had for the 3 months. Silly Americans. Regardless, St. Pancras –> Centraal Station.
We arrived at night & made our way to the hotel, making friends with a lost-looking American girl heading the same direction. Pretty quickly we headed to Grand Place where there was an adorable video projected on the City Hall building, continuing around the 700 year old square on the guildhouses and the King’s House. In the middle was an enormous Christmas tree that we loved. Dinner (I had beef stoemp) at a place Dad’s friend recommended called L’ Estaminet du Keldreke.
Monday morning we boarded a busy tour where we listened to the history of Belgium (through different occupations, royal family, etc) & passed the Atomium (built for the 1958 World’s Fair, the Royal Palace, the European Commission (the executive body of the EU), etc. We walked to Notre-Dame au Sablon, a beautiful church that interestingly had welcome signs in (in order) French, Dutch, English & German. The ability of Belgians (& Europeans in general) to switch between different language is quite impressive! The church had a typical Catholic nativity without a baby Jesus… who obviously comes on the 25th. Across the church was a cool square called Place du Petit Sablon that had many statues & a nice fountain.
Returning to Grand Place with a guide book, we learned about the wealthy merchants and unions that built the guildhalls around the center. Then onto a fancy chocolate shop (Belgian chocolate is deservedly world famous) to see chocolate in every shape, size, mold & color. We walked a few blocks to see Mannekin Pis, the little naked peeing boy statue. This 400 year old bronze statue is legendary, literally has several stories regarding its conception, and has an extensive wardrobe for every occasion.
Brussels is known for its Christmas markets so we took our time in the different stalls. Dad & Rach enjoyed a few Jager shots & Mom got a waffle. There was a really funky carousel, skating rink, ferris wheel & tons of people despite the bitter cold. It’s so weird that the sun is set by 4, making Belgium feel even colder! Heading back, we passed Delirium, a bar that I’ve only heard good things about… sigh, another time.
Tuesday, we hopped a bus to the Waterloo battlefield. I’ll say right now that up until that morning, I thought the Waterloo battle was fought in England. Whoops. We watched a few films, climbed the enormous mountain looking over the fields and checked out the cheesy museums. On our way back, Dad told me that I was leaving for the States on the 17th, not the 18th that I had planned for this whole time. Cue Rach sobbing for one less day in London. Not even kidding. On the bus, sobbing.
Back in Brussels, more walking & exploring (lots of beer, chocolate & waffles this week so its necessary!) and Dad made us find the Jeanneke Pis (the girl-knockoff of Mannekin Pis), then even worse, the Dog Pis. Can’t make this up. Tomorrow morning, we’re taking a train to Brugge (or Bruges, tomayto, tomahto) for a few days…
