Planes, Trains and Automobiles...

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Welcome to Bruxelles (Brussels)! After a 7 hour flight, a 3 hour wait/buffet breakfast in Charles de Gaul airport station, a 90 min train ride and about a 15 min cab ride, we arrived at the Radisson SAS in Brussels at about 2:30 PM local time. Brussels, to me, is a fantastic city. It's perfect for what I love to do - wander around, experience and observe the local atmosphere and people and truly feel like I'm immersing myself in the local culture. Oh yeah, and enjoy the most delicious yet sinfully bad-for-you food and drink! As an unofficial foodie (meaning really that I love to eat), I have made it my quest to taste all of the food and beverages for which each country on my trip is known. I've been hugely successful thus far. Today, among other things, I enjoyed a very pricey but indulgent buffet breakfast at the Sheraton in the CDG train station, a delectable Belgian waffle smothered with chocolate and bananas, several regional (or originally regional) beer and of course frittes, although I haven't had them the proper Belgian way yet, which I am told is with mayo. Hungry yet?

While I'm enjoying indulging myself, there are actually more exciting features to Brussels. In the Center of town, near, in the Grand' Place area is a very large cobblestone pedestrian area filled with an abundance of boutique shops, restaurants, taverns and of course the Peeing Boy statue which is bordered by "Chocolatiere Manakin Pis" and "Tavern Pis". The architecture here is beautiful - two of the highlights being St. Michael's and St. Nicholas Cathedrals. The market lined with restaurants touting outdoor dining and indoor fireplaces reminded me a quite a but of Bologna, Italy and of course was right up my alley (although I have not yet eaten there, as it is mostly international/ecclectic fare and I wanted to sample local fare on my first day).

We met up with one of my best mates, Hannah, from London and her boyfriend Graeme (aka the boy or G for the rest of this blog) who flew in for the weekend. We enjoyed several beers in the hotel bar before wandering around the town and grabbing dinner at Falstaffs, an apparently famous bar/restaurant - I say apparently because I had not heard of it but G says it was written up in his Belgium book. The city was quite vibrant, as it's a Saturday night and the young and young at heart are out enjoying the local nightlife. One of my favorite views in any city is gazing down a street and seeing all the restaurants, bars and stores lit up at night, and Brussels does not disappoint.

So far, I have to say I love this city! Tomorrow, the plan is to visit Leuver, a suggestion of Han and Graeme. This is a small town about 20 minutes by rail outside of Brussels where Stella Artoris was originally brewed...it is supposed to be a nice town to explore as well. That's about it for tonight! I'll be back soon with more updates!

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Photos

St. Michael's Cathedral
St. Michael's Cathedral, Brussels

Me in Brussels
Me in Brussels

Grand' Place
Grand Place, the main Square in Brussels

Comments

[Krisin]

Beer
Hey My, Have some frittes and lambicks for me!!!!!

[Patrick]

Makin' Me Ever So Green W/ Envy
Hi Maya, hope you are well..... Hey look at you - the world traveler, makin me so very green with envy baby - travel safe and keep bloggin away! All my best! Patrick