The European Capital - Brussels

As promised, here comes a long up-date!

I’ve had a wonderfully European weekend with my friend Vanessa in Belgium. I arrived Thursday evening to Brussels Airport. Took the train to the central station where Vanessa met up with me. We took the bus to where she’s staying, dropped the luggage, changed clothes and then went to a close-by pub with her flat mates. Nice, live blouse/jazz music, a cloud of smoke and fruit beer. The atmosphere was great but I wish they had a ban on smoking indoors as they have in so many other European countries. People in Brussels are like little chimneys. My clothes stink after this weekend.

Friday the sightseeing began…

Nice views of Brussels

Three course meal at a really nice restaurant with good music.

Saturday we first visited a local market. I bought myself a French Donald Duck magazine from 1956. Following that we took the subway to Automium – Brussels’ landmark no.1 (I had never heard about it before going there so don’t worry if you haven’t either). It was really cool though. In the arms connecting the atoms there are escalators and stairs, making it possible to go into at least half of the different atoms. In each atom there is some sort of exhibition.

In the evening we had pasta with salmon (one of my personal favorites) – with wine and sangria. Party night in Brussels. We went to one of Brussels most famous bars. The beer menu is pretty much as thick as a bible. Tried raspberry beer – really nice actually (but xtremely filling). Finally we went to an Irish pub which also had some dancing.

Sunday mid-day (when we finally woke up), we took a train to coastal town Bruges. Approx 1 hour from Brussels. Took this photo of a man at the station…perfect or what?

Bruges was a truly medieval town with a wonderful, historical atmosphere. It’s called “the Venice of the North” – and deservingly so. There is water and bridges everywhere. We strolled around taking many, many photos and just enjoyed a nice, relaxed day.

Monday we went on a tour in the European Parliament. Interesting and feels like something you should do while in Brussels.

Summarizing words of the weekend: Waffles, pancakes, chocolate, beer, achy feet, laughs, shopping and quality time spent with Vanessa! (or "Vaness" as her flat mates call her).

xxx