Brussels, Beglium

Wednesday, November 13 (continued):

A 2 hour train to Roosendaal, a transfer to Antwerp, another transfer to Brussels Central Station, and a bus stuck in traffic later, we finally arrive at our destination in Brussels - the lovely home of the Maxson family.  Wallis knows Eva from summer camp, and her family kindly let us stay a few days.  Once we arrived at around 4pm, we chatted with Eva's mom and grandma for a while until she got home and we all ate some lentils and sausage with rice and carrot cake for dessert!  We talked with Eva for a while before going to bed in the attic room which was converted into its own little apartment - so cool!

Thursday, November 14:

Today Wallis and I took the tram into the city center to just walk around (Eva had classes on Thursday and Friday so couldn't come with us during the day.)  We went to Grand Place, Manneken Pis, the Waffle Factory for lunch, museum area, the Palace, park, and wandered into so many chocolate stores, churches, and side streets.  I had to be back to register for Spring Semester classes by 4:45, so we got the bus back early (good thing we did because scheduling was and still is a disaster ugh.)  After that annoyance, Wallis and I made stir fried vegetables for dinner and then went downstairs and talked with the family for the rest of the night, where we were served cookies and tea.

Grand Place

So much Belgian chocolate everywhere

Manneken Pis

The Palace

Friday, November 15:

We had a lazy morning, then got the bus around 11am back into the city.  We went to the Parlamentarium and saw the European Commission building.  When we walked past the Palace again, we stumbled upon a military ceremony which we later figured out was for a King's Day celebration.  Much wandering later, we headed home again before going out to dinner with another one of Wallis' friends, this time from Bucknell.  It was delicious dinner at a restaurant called Soul (I got salad with avocado, cheese, eggplant, and pumpkin seeds, then a meal of carrot and nut felafel with quinoa) and another great family to meet.  After dinner we went out with Eva and her friends for a little and tried some famous Belgian beers.  The last bus we could catch home was at midnight, so we were home again by 1. 

Saturday, November 16:

Wallis, Eva, and I made brunch (eggs and leftover veggies) before heading down to the city for our last full day.  It was fun walking around with a local and seeing some sights we might not have seen on our own.  We got massive Belgian fries and some Belgian chocolate before heading back home to bake Eva's first zucchini cake!!  We added Belgian cocoa to make it like a chocolate cake (so good) and then we talked and talked with her family.  They are so nice! 

Sunday, November 17:

This trip once again flew by.  We headed to the airport via bus and train.  Our flight left Brussels at 10:30am and we landed by 12. 

Commence the last month of study abroad... this time I'll stay in Copenhagen!