I have spent the last hour writing up my blog (seeing as how we’ve had so many wi-fi issues…gee, I didn’t know we were in a third world country!) and it all of a sudden disappeared! Grrr!! Anyway….yesterday we went to Brussels to visit some of the things we scoped out a few days before. As soon as we got off the train at the Central Station, this is the first thing we came across:
It’s Galeries St. Hubert. A pedestrian only set of shops covered by this gorgeous glass ceiling. My picture doesn’t even do it justice. This is the best shot out of all of them I tried.
Keith found the mecca of beer. Decent prices too. It’s too bad we couldn’t ship any home. Oh well.
Next up…this building. Not sure what it is, but it’s massive…and beautiful!
And here we are. I know you know what we look like…but we’ll be home soon…and I didn’t want you to forget. HA! Here we are in The Grand Place in Belgium. You’ll see what I mean in a minute:
This is what the place has looked like for over 500 years!
The square is full of little shops, restaurants and museums. Please note the building on the far right of the picture. It’s in the middle of being renovated…but has a picture of it in front so you know what it’s supposed to look like. Hahahaha!
Among all of these museums, there is a beer museum. We learned all about the history of beer in Belgium. Did you know that around 1900, there were 3,223 different breweries here in Belgium!?!?!?! NUTS!
Next to the beer museum was the Ommegang restaurant. It was a swanky place that had really nice food. After our meal, I was outside the restaurant taking some pictures when Keith got this shot of me:
Hahahaha! Hilarious. 🙂
Now we’re starting our long trek around the city. Boy have we walked a TON on this vacation!!
Here is a typical street in Brussels….away from the tourist areas…just normal every day living. I like it!
This is a Tryptich from inside the history of Belgium museum. It is one of 3 that were on display and was so beautiful to look at.
These are old fashioned taps made out of porcelin. Here is the back of them:
Now in Brussels there is a famous statue called Maanekken Pis. Many people go to see him…what he does…and what outfit he’s wearing at the moment. We had no interest but in this same museum, there are several of his outfits:
This outfit is from 1952. And yes…he is holding what you think he’s holding (there, in the middle of the picture).
This is his Cyprus outfit! OPA!
Oh yes….these are every bit as good as it looks. These kinds of shops are EVERYWHERE in every town we’ve been to!
And now, the Notre Dame Cathedral…and all of it’s glory:
It was…as all churches were…just…breathtaking.
And finally…me really enjoying a lovely piece of handmade chocolate. Mmmmm!
I have to post about today’s adventure…but will wait on that until tomorrow…when I am sitting on a train for hours heading to our final destination…Amsterdam!! So, until then……..