J and K Adventures: Saturday and Sunday, July 26, 27: Adventures in Brussels

We got up early and enjoyed one last breakfast at the Ibis. What a treat to enjoy the comforts and amenities that Bristol had so willingly bestowed upon us. We hopped a cab, got to the train station early and were able to be heading west in short order.

The train systems are amazing - fast, smooth and on time - within the minute. We got to London, cabbed over to St. Pancras station with time to spare for out train to Brussels. We had a light lunch in one of the station diners and people watched for close to an hour. It is so different sitting at a table and overhearing brief snatches of conversations in French, Italian, German, Flemish, Mandarin, Spanish and the unidentifiable. It's also fun to sit and critique various styles of dress - conservative to see through, comfortable walking shoes to 4 inch spike heels - and that is just the male shoe apparel, don't get me started on the feminine foot fashions.

So we get to Brussels, find the hotel and are in for a nasty surprise. The hotel room is a grim reminder of "The President". Only with the added joy of the odor of old cigarettes and being far away from the center of town. I can feel myself starting to meld down when Jeff, sensing my mood, says that we can find another hotel. He says that my comfort is the most important thing. Wow! What a husband! We leave our stuff and walk in search of something better. On a side street we find an NH hotel, a chain that Jeff has stayed at before. They had room, but even better, referred us to another NH in the center, close to the "Grand Place". We taxi'd there in about 10 minutes and were soon settled in a comfortable, air conditioned room with a nice buffet breakfast. Whew! Disaster averted!

We are behind in our blogging so are going to devote a couple of posts to mostly pictures. It takes a long time to download cause we are too cheap to pay for the fast internet, so bear with us!

St. Pancras Station, London

Waiting for the train at St. Pancras

Statue we saw on the way to our new hotel

Brussels is a wonderful place. The people friendly and kind, very international with every possible cuisine you could imagine, people of all shades, customs, dress and language passing on the space. intermingling with interest in each others origins.

The main square in Brussels is called the "Grand Place". It has buildings going back through the centuries. Many are gold gilded. On the way from our hotel to the square we passed through two blocks that are covered. They built this covering in the 1800's and it is now a protected cover for shops and restaurants.

Covered walkway for fancy shops

The first night we were there, I was so tired after our train ride and the march to find a different hotel, that we didn't make it to the Grand Place. The Guilds, who were rich in Brussels, built the buildings to advertise their wares and wealth. The next morning we walked through the "tunnel of ritzy stores" (as I called it) and it actually took my breath away!

Panorama of the Grande Place

The Old City Hall

Guild buildings

Really gilded

So ornate, each guild trying to outdo the other

Details on the buildings

We walked down and around winding streets enjoying the fresh air and looking at buildings and shops. One of the most famous landmarks in Brussels is an ancient fountain called "Manekin Pis" which near enough translated means "pissing doll". There are lots of shops selling replicas around the fountain which is actually quite small and unimpressive compared to some of the buildings and other fountains.

Manekin Pis

Right around the corner from Manekin was a store selling Belgian waffles. Jeff had been telling me about them for 4 years. He did not exaggerate.....they are beyond delicious.