Some of my classmates from my "Spain and the European Union" class and I left early on a 0615 RyanAir flight from Madrid to Brussels, Belgium. We then took a bus to the city center (and hour from the airport RyanAir goes into) and then a metro/walk to our hostel where we left our bags.
Our first stop was to go to the information center near the EU Parliament building (since the initial desire to go to Brussels was to see some of the EU institutions since we were all in the class). There was a lot of free stuff in the info center including posters, pamphlets, and a mini EU Fundamental Rights book all available in various languages of the EU. We decided to come back Thursday (6th) morning to get a tour of the Parliament and then went in search of waffles.
We found a cool place in the historic city center that looked like an old ice cream parlor/American diner inside. This (first) time i got the "Belgium" variety which you can see below. Then we went next door where there was a fries place (start the revolution where you are, they should be called "Belgium" fries not "French" since they originated here) and I knew that this was a place I HAD to bring mom back to since they are infamous for Fries in Belgium! (More details on fries with the pics below).
We walked around the historic part of town checking out the Christmas Market which sold Belgium crafts, Christmas items, chocolates, sausages, beer, waffles, and more. There was even a huge tree in front of the Grand/Royal Palace. There were decorations in all the store windows, an art contest of wooden Christmas trees (all with different designs on them), and tons of lights. It made me so excited for Christmas time being in such a little Christmas village of sorts.
The weather was not the best, but I guess that is typically Belgium. We struggled through the elements as we walked around: sporadic rain showers, strong winds, soggy toes...all part of the traveling experience...I am sure we were quite a comical sight at times with our umbrellas turned inside out ;)
We made a stop to buy Belgium chocolates and there were chocolate shops EVERYWHERE all which usually gave free samples. We also made a trip to see the infamous statue of a peeing little boy (Manneken Pis). I guess there is a museum with a bunch of outfits various heads of state which have visited Brussels have given him. The tradition goes that when they come they give him a little outfit of what is culturally worn in their country. Such a random tourist attraction ;)
The next morning we took an audio guide tour of the European Parliament. The audio guides were available in a ton of languages (I think all the official languages of the EU) and it was activated by where you were standing in the building. It was a really informative and interesting audio guide I think, and it had a bunch of amazing remixes of "Ode to Joy" (the anthem of the European Union). I would have bought a CD of them if they would have sold it there ;)
After the tour we went and got waffles and fries again (they are just so good, this time I got the "Liege" waffle...I am addicted for life ;) We got a metro to try to go to a museum called "Mini-Europe" (which is just what you would think it is) only to discover, to my chagrin, that it was outdoors and over 12 euros to go in...we weren't about to pay over 12 euros to walk out in the pouring rain so we went to a movie instead.
Then our group parted ways, one from the group of 5 headed to Amsterdam, two others were off to Bruges, and the fourth and I went to Antwerp to stay with a friend of his sisters.
**SEE ANTWERP AND LUXEMBOURG BLOGS BEFORE READING THE END OF THIS ONE**
After our stop in Luxembourg City we got back to Brussels around 1830. We dropped our stuff at our hostel and then went back to the Christmas market for some last minute shopping and to get dinner (went to a Thai/Vietnamese place).
HIGHLIGHT OF BRUSSELS: Liege waffles and being in the capital of the EU (which is exciting for me given what my academic and intrinsic passions are)
1. Parliament of the European Union
2. Christmas in Brussels!
-Nativity Scene
-Christmas Tree Art Contest (various wooden trees with different designs)
-Christmas Market!
3. Scenes and sights of Brussels:
-The infamous statue of a little boy peeing
-Comic Strip Row (Brussels is known for its Comic Strip art including the Smurfs and TinTin)
-Harry Potter in French (i think?)
-Night Scenes!
4. Food of Brussels:
-"Belgium" Type Waffle
-Liege Type Waffle (my favorite type)
Belgium Fries (I am staring the revolution since fries really came from Belgium and that is what they should be called. Additionally Belgium is famous for really good fries-for you mom-which are fried twice for extra crispiness)
-One can have them in a "cone" holder with various sauce options: ketchup, cocktail sauce, or mayonnaise (the usual for Belgians)
-OR one can have a fries sandwich!
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