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12/01/2006: "Brussels, Belgium"

Now here is a favorite. I think Jeanette has exclaimed several times that she could live here, usually following a sip of their great coffee or beer. The Belgians are best known for their beer, chocolate, lace and food. Now I am not a big lace fan, but they got me on the other three,

We landed in a great little 2 star hotel, a short walk from the Central train station and right in the middle of the old town. You could throw a cobblestone from here to the famous Grand Square. This is a huge area that is flanked on all four sides by beautiful buildings. Last night, they started a Christmas light show with music. They also have a nativity scene that is life size and stocked with real sheep. And of course, the lit booths of the Christmas market spills down the pedestrian-only side streets.

Yesterday, we took in their massive cathedral (picture of Nick in St. Michael’s) and three museums – all next to each other and close by. The first museum was a Sphinx exhibit that fit nicely with Nick’s 6th grade history. Next, we visited the ancient art museum that has a geat collection of paintings from artists such as Bruegel (the father and son), Rubens and Van Dyck. We found lunch in a great place near our hotel that sat us underground in an arched-brick room. Then Nick and I took in the Comic Book museum. Here, we got to see the origins of old cartoons such as Tin Tin and newer ones like The Smurfs.

The language here is mostly French and the architecture is truly amazing.