Brussels – we took the train through the Chunnel from London on Oct. 2. We had a day before meeting friends in Copenhagen on the 4th, so we thought we’d squeeze in one more city, and we’re so glad we did! What a lovely city! We are so glad we had a day and a half here and would certainly return for another visit if time, money and health will permit.
As you can see from the picture above, our lovely little train was going 334.7 km/h! It didn’t take much time at all to get to our next destination. We arrived at a very big, very busy station, and as always, promptly got lost (we’d better figure out a better way to do this!), but eventually, with the help of some friendly people, made our way across the square, through the traffic, down a very busy street crowded with Algerian cafes seating many men, young and old, drinking strong, strong coffee in little, little cups, while smoking cigarette after cigarette, and made it to our flat.
Luka, our host, squeezed us into a VERY tiny elevator, and he raced up the stairs to the third floor to meet us at our abode. (After we left the apartment to go exploring, we realized WHY he had us use the elevator while carrying our backpacks!)
What is it with three flights of stairs? We had three flights up at our little Hotel Stanley, three flights at our hidden Point A in London, and now three flights in Brussels. If this keeps up, I will surely get stronger, skinnier and faster! (I’m trying to find the positive here!)
We quickly unpacked and decided to go exploring. We had heard of a comic book museum near our flat and decided we needed to go find it. They had a visiting exhibition of one of Shawn’s favourite childhood comics – Tin Tin! Wisely keying it in to our google maps while we were still with wifi, we set off to find Tin Tin, Snowy, Captain Haddock, and Professor Calculus. Did you know that Google maps still works once you’ve left your wifi behind? It will keep going until it gets you safely to your destination (unless you veer too far off course, of course!). YOU probably DID know that, but we didn’t and were delightfully surprised. : )
We made it to the museum and discovered so many wonderful little corners along the way – beautiful architecture, unique doors, and hidden alleys and surprise squares.
On the way home, we decided to be adventurous and take a different route back. What luck we had – we turned a corner and saw the Grand Palace! Oh my goodness! Our mouths must’ve dropped a foot down as we gaped in awe. I’m sure we looked like stunned bananas, but I think it was the most amazing place I’ve ever seen outside of a book.
The buildings all looked like castles; they had turrets and towers and arches and balconies and gold everywhere! Oh, my! We’re not in Kansas, anymore, Dorothy!
