BRUSSELS

Trip Start Jun 06, 2008
1
14
21
Trip End Ongoing


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Where I stayed
rented apartment
(Brussels hotels)

Flag of Belgium  ,
Thursday, June 19, 2008

Was a good first night in Brussels, although I have to say Belgium was disappointing.  We have basically been on  tour of the Garden Spots of Europe - Zurich, Amsterdam, Munich, Barcelona...Belgium was a step back.  Really run down and dirty - more so than the Czech Republic even.  You would think the center of the EU, with hundreds of millions of inhabitants would not be so unkempt.  The EU section in the suburbs was, of course, impeccable, but the rest of Belgium looked like the liberation was 10 years ago instead of 60.  What a dump!  Anyway Achim took us to a few places and then left us early as he had to fly to Berlin early the next day.  He wanted us to come, but it didn't suit our plans, and again, I've already had my dose of Zee Germans on this jaunt.  Italy won their game over France and I guess there are more than a couple of Italians in Brussels coz the streets filled up with drunk Italians doing brake stands and waving flags.  This seemed to offend Joe, as he happened to scream at every celebrating Italian he could find that they were 1-1-1 in the tournament, had gotten smoked by Holland and couldn't do better than a tie vs Brussels Square
Brussels Square
 . Romania.  (interestingly enough- word out of Romania was that Mutu was on the take and missed the kick on purpose - who knows, it looked like a slam dunk).  I have avoided much soccer talk in the blog, but even I have to admit the Turkey victory over the Czechs was pretty kool - coming from 2-0 to score 3 unanswered and win 3-2.  Nice.  Anyway the night ended with a Kabob - a running gag on the trip, and a 3AM taxi ride home. 

The next day we awoke at the crack of noon and hopped the train back into the city.  We planned on visiting a Trappist Monastery where they brew the beers, but they are all located far outside Brussels, most on the border with France.  We hopped on a dodgy tour bus and saw what the city has to offer.  My mission was to sample the four things Belgium is famous for:  1) Beer;  2) Chocolate;  3)  Fries;  and 4) Waffles.  After we got off the bus, we got some lunch at a traditional Belgian cafe - TASTY, especially the fries (you have to be sure to order them without mayonnaise or they will come drenched with the stuff), but then....Joe punted on his last night in Europe to go home early!!!  Sorry, I have felt off on a couple of days over the past 2 weeks also, but unless I bleed out of my eyes, I can be sick when I get home...
With Joe gone, Chris and I found a chocolate shop and I bought some souvenirs...then we went to a pretty cool Belgian pub and watched the game and had many fine Belgian beers...then on to a late night waffle shop What does "Smart" mean?
What does "Smart" mean?
 .  They were good with the ice cream, but really, I like my waffles next to a couple of fried eggs and some hash browns...
We managed to catch the last train home, avoiding the $40 cab ride.  Typhoid Joe and Chris had to wake at five and leave at 6 to catch a train to Dusseldorf and fly home from there...while I got to sleep in, as my flight to Bucharest didn't leave until 5.  It was raining cats and dogs, and I had my luggage with me, so I kind of lagged - waking at noon, futilely trying to eat and drink all the food and beer we stocked the apartment with (and somehow I got stuck with the bill for).  Then I hopped a cab to the less than impressive Brussels airport to catch my flight (and, of course, overpay for a last Belgian beer and some fries at the airport cafe).  Weird to be without Joe and Chris for the first time in two weeks.  I will miss them.  But it's nice to be on my own itinerary, and not only are they younger than me, they are soccer players and good athletes, so they walk everywhere FAST, leaving it up to me to catch up.  My knees are killing me; when I get home I will not walk anywhere for a week!  Amsterdam on the bikes was a slight break, but they still bike faster than hell...
Plus I am going to Eastern Europe, where a taxi anywhere is $6, so no more walking.  Onto my flight EAST>
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