Blogs from Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, Europe - page 57

Our visit to Belgium and Brussels in particular ended up being quite a whirlwind visit. This was our last destination for visiting and quite frankly - we were OVER IT! So we decided to park our van in the city, jump on a 'jump on jump off tour bus' that we didnt plan to jump off, and we toured the whole city and its sites with commentary. This was a great way to see a lot in a short time. We then stopped at a belgium chocolate shop and bought some genuine praline goodies (sorry but we cannot take these home with us so we will have to finish them off!) and then headed to PIZZA HUT for a genuine Belgium lunch (sorry, not very european but boy was it delicious - we are pretty ... read more

Geo: 50.8371, 4.36761Had a hot chocolate and granola bar for breakfast. Stupid crappy blankets at the hostel were too short so my feet were cold all night. I wanted to see what the girls were doing ... but surprise, there weren't awake yet! Last night they mentioned needing some help with their essays and I offered to help - but only because I am a big proponent of higher learning! I walked down Rue Nueve, a pedestrian shopping street. Too bad it was Sunday and all the shops were closed - I'm sure it would've been hopping at any other time. There were 3 H&M clothing stores within 2 blocks - crazy! They're the clothing equivalent of Starbucks - spreading everywhere, well on their way to world domination. Though I'm not a fan of Starbucks, H&M ... read more

This morning was great... I went to a midday briefing at the European Commission (European Union). It was amazing to actually be in that room with all the other journos from around the world... especially considering so many people working at home will never get to do it. I picked up a great story about Europes inacceptably bad policing of the fisheries industries. It really was very cool to be doing an interview at the European Commission. (The online component of my Tour de Flanders story, by the way, can be read at http://www.euaustralia.com/2007/04/10/sport-bike-season-heralds-the-summer/#more-529). After the briefing we had lunch in the fabulous cafe inside the EU Commission building.... great food and really cheap - they really look after journalists in Europe and Ive noticed this a LOT so far doing various stories in Germany and ... read more

Still in Belgium and still havent found another internet cafe so I will try and write this entry using the dodgy keyboard on this yucky computer in Brussels Gare du Middi (The criminal centre of the country). This city is massive and its outter districts arent very nice (they are old and dirty and seem really rather poor), but the centre of the city is AMAZING. We spent our first night here in grand style... having a traditional dinner in the old part of the city. I had a pasta meal with mussells (which are loved here) that was lovely... but I could hardly make a dint in the enormous serving as my stomach seemed to shrink when i was sick. I have some incredible photos to upload when I find a decent internet cafe. Yesterday ... read more

Going away party Europe » Belgium » Brussels By leilaroundaworldMarch 31st 2007LeilaWhat a day, oh boy what a day!! Finally managed to get through it, with class...yes alright, a little bit drunk at the end, walking bare feet, careless of my 30 euros pair of stockings, trying to get to my car and getting everyone back home safely. I want to thank everyone that came and made that special evening a special evening. The few pictures I managed to take speak for themselves. ... read more