Last day in Belgium

We decided to take a train trip to Bruges, a city about an hour away (to the west) by train from Brussels. The city of Bruges originated as a 9th century fortress built to defend the coast against the Vikings. The city of Bruges has cobbled lanes and the meandering canals are lined by medieval buildings.




We decided ( well Peg had made up her mind long ago) to take a boat ride through the canals. It was so beautiful and very different from anything I've done or seen. Billy's note: even though the weather was only about 40 degrees, Peg didn't bitch, moan or complain--that should tell you how much we enjoyed being here. A lot of the buildings were so massive but I guess they needed to be to last as long as they have. It was definitely picturesque.




















While in Bruges, we had some delicious pumpkin soup. Get ready, family. I want to try to make that for Thanksgiving!

But, the day had to end, so we hopped back on the train to Brussels. Just so we can say we believe in diversity, we ate dinner at an Irish Pub. We had to test some Irish beers to see how they tasted next to the Belgium beers. Jury is still out they were both good!

The next blog post will be from the good ole' USA Cant wait. It's been a wonderful cultural learning opportunity but we're ready to get back. See you all soon. using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Avenue Louise,City of Brussels,Belgium

Last full day in Brussels

We decided to have a big breakfast instead of just a pastry, so found a little cafe just around the corner from our hotel. An omelette with a salad and an egg sandwich with a salad (much more healthy). We also had a coffee but definitely not as much as we are used to drinking.


Look how small that cup is next to Shuffy's hand.

Then took the train to the shopping district to buy some chocolate.

Here are some shots of buildings we found as we walked around:
a Texaco station


Brussels version of a Dollar store



A pharmacy. they are small but there are lots of these all over the different neighborhoods.






Someone's apartment. Can you imagine coming home to this beautiful building every ignt.




The restaurant district. Everyone eats outside (but there are heaters). We had more mussels and beer (we want to get our fill).

Then home to pack our suitcases. We're heading to Brugge tomorrow and have to catch the train early morning.


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Location:Chaussée de Vleurgat,City of Brussels,Belgium

Atomium and Cantillon Brewery

Today we decided to ride the Hop On Hop Off bus to explore more of the city. The most impressive part was the Atomium, built for the 1958 World's Fair. It symbolizes an iron crystal magnified 165 billon times, referring to the power of nuclear energy in full development at that time and which was intended for peaceful use.





Five of the nine spheres are open to the public with one being a permanent exhibition to the Expo 58. When we were on top, you could see all over Brussels. Some told us we could see till Antwerp (but since weve never been there, we'll have to take their word for that.




Next, we decided to try to find a brewery our daughter told us about, the Cantillon Brewery. This family brewery will soon celebrate its centenary and is still independent. It is the last traditional brewery in Brussels. We had a tour and then a tasting. Here are some of the pics.







Bill wanted to take this barrel home but he couldn't afford the shipping.


Lou, I took this for you. This is one of the most important places in the brewery process, the cooling tun room. In the middle of the room is a large vessel in red copper. Every part of it is riveted, not welded. I'm sure you could make one for us!

We ended our day with a pasta meal in Grand Place. I've shown you some night pics before but we can't get enough of the grandeur of this place, particularly at night.






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Location:Chaussée de Vleurgat,City of Brussels,Belgium

Random thoughts and shots

Since Bill was still in the conference today, I just walked around the Louise neighborhood ( where our hotel is). Found this church, although I couldn't find a name for it and I found a yarn shop, no not a quilt shop.






Then when Bill got back from his conference, we decided to get some night shots and eat some more mussels and drink some beer. These shots are of the Grand Place. Beautiful any time of day.






This is a shot I took on our walk to the train stop.



Tomorrow our plans are to take the Hop On Hop Off bus to se. More Belgium sites. It's supposed to be sunny.

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Location:Brussels, abelgium

Peg was on her own today

Bill had to be up and out by 7 am today so that he could get the train and then the metro to Lower Brussels for his conference. He presented today around 11 am Brussels. His title of his presentation was "Filling the Connectivity Gap in Rural Communities." points he wanted to cover was:

* help people understand about the connectivity gaps in rural areas
* share the community based model to fill the gaps
* explain how to adapt this model in Africa through partnerships.

I'm excited to hear all about it but he won't get back to our hotel till late so I'll probably be sleeping

After I got Shuffy up and headed to his conference, I headed out with really nothing in mind. It was cloudy and a little windy today but I decided to catch the train and then the Metro to Central Station to check on the cost to take a side trip to Brugge or Amsterdam. Brugge is in Belgium, so that a cheaper at 26, 30. That's 26 Euros and 30 cents for both ways. To travel to Amsterdam in the Netherlands will be about 53 Euros if we leave after 9 am. So, now we just have to decide.

I was patting myself on my back for navigating so well but then when I decided to head back to my hotel at 5pm, I learned a very important lesson (yeah, I'm slow). Don't travel at rush hour. What a small town person I really am. But I made it, just slower. Did a lot of watching people.

While I was out during the day I found where people shop and NOT spend their whole paycheck on one pair of boots -- the malls (shops). Much better prices, similar to the amount we would pay at a Macy's or Kohl's. All the women wear boots so I was wondering where they get them because the specialty store are 4 or 5 times the prices at the shops.

Here are some photos I thought some of you would like






A casino right downtown for the Shuffstall crowd.




Road signs that are in 6 pt font size. I have no idea how you see them while driving.








A gas station. No Lou, you wouldn't be able to get your motor home through the streets to get gas, even if it could float on the Atlantic Ocean.




A mixture of old and newer architecture.

Well that's it for tonight.

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Location:Chaussée de Vleurgat,City of Brussels,Belgium

Steps around Brussels

Forgot to mention that both days we've been in Brussels have given us 23,400 steps each day. Yes, that number is correct. I checked it. Wonder if my StrongWomen will think this is enough exercise.

One thing I've noticed is that most of the streets are cobblestone. They are NOT easy to navigate. Glad I brought sturdy shoes. Most girls are wearing boots. I stopped in a shop to see how much a pair would be --$150 Euros...expensive I think. Guess I'll be happy with the prices for our clothes and shoes.




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Rest First and then Explore

We didn't get awake until 9 am which gave us about 12 hours of sleep. So well rested, we set off for more of the delicious (but small cups) of coffee. We took the train from our hotel to the center of our neighborhood called Louise. From there we can walk to Lower Town or take the Metro. We decided to take the Metro.

Brussels is split between Lower Town and Upper Town. This division reflects the lay of the land. Lower Town is in the floodplain of the River Senne, which now runs underground. Upper Town is more residential. In fact in the 12th century, this is where the palaces of the nobles and dukes were so that they would be aloof. I am taking the photo from the edge of Upper Town looking down to Lower Town.



We decided to visit some churches today. Here's a collage of one



Then we went to a park. It was nice but much smaller than ours. Thought of Shannon, Carl and Milo who visit their Prospect Park daily. This would never keep Milo happy long.




Next our walk took us past the Place Royale and their gardens.





Here's the place where Bill has his reception tonight, it's the Finnish parliament.



It was time to get back to our hotel so Bill could dress for a reception for his conference. Remember, that's why we're here :-).

I will plan on having a light dinner and then writing this blog. Tomorrow I'll be on my own so who knows where I'll explore tomorrow.

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Location:Brussels Belgium

Arrival in and Navigating Brussels

Very long but exciting and interesting day. It is 7:54 pm Brussels time which means it's 3 pm EST. Our plane arrived in Brussels, this morning at 7 am Brussels time which was 2 am EST. We decided to go till we couldn't go any more. Well, that's now 8 pm and we've seen a lot of Brussels already


.

We've learned how to navigate the metro and the above ground trolley. We


bought day passes for 4,50 Euros and we've been hopping on and off all day.

We decided to go to Grand Place first and get some breakfast along the way. Had the most amazing cup of expresso at a little Natural Cafe. That got us going. Here's Grand Place, the geographical, historical and commercial heart of the city.











If I could have captured it for you from my eyes, these grand places would be in a square with the center portion open with people walking, eating and talking. The architecture was absolutely amazing. Nothing like I've ever seen in person, just in travel mags.


We also walked to another well known statue: Manneken-Pis, an unlikely attraction, this tiny statue of a young boy relieving self into a small pool is very much a part of Brussels. You can even buy ones to take home. Drew, I was thinking of getting one to replace my fountain on the deck!



Next, it was time to taste some beers so here was just what we wanted, a


taste of 5 different ones. We met another couple from St Louis, MO. It was wonderful hearing English spoken. Most of our day was hand gestures or finding someone who spoke a little broken English. With the beer tasting done we were ready to go some more. Lots and LOTS of shopping. Oh my. I don't think that New York has this many stores!!

Dinner time - we met Woody Kerkaslager for dinner at a restaurant near Grand Place. Woody is a colleague of Bill's and the moderator for Bill's portion of the conference. We were told that Brussels is famous for their mussels and they were right .. Absolutely delicious. And you got so many, we could share.



Well, Bill is already sleeping so I'll close for tonight. Tomorrow, we're going to get a Hop On and Off bus and do some more touring.

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Location:Brussels Belgium

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It was serendipitous! The UP airport had Belgium chocolate coffee. Luscious. Cant wait to get the real thing now ... And the beer that Vince and Laurie told me they enjoyed.

But, first, we have to get through the Philly airport, my least favorite one.


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Location:University Park, Pa

The preparation continues

For those of you who are thinking about travelling overseas, here's the list of things we've had from other folks who have travelled:

1. International Phone - Verizon has a plan (probably AT&T does as well) where you can rent an international phone. Cost is still higher than in the states but still a good idea to have.
2. Power Adapter converter
3. Change money - we used AAA
4. Have a "comment" placed on your credit card(s) so that the company knows it's you using the card out of the country. Otherwise, they may block it until they talk with you to approve it. We are Penn State Credit Union members, so they added the comment to two of our cards.
5. Passports - make a copy of them and put in your suitcase

If there are other things we haven't listed here that you think are important, leave us a comment TODAY!!

Travelling to Brussels, Belgium

Bill and I have the wonderful opportunity of travelling overseas to Brussels, Belgium. Bill is presenting at the Global Forum on some of his work with Connecting Communities, along with several of his colleagues.
For the first time, I find myself a little out of my element. I love travelling and exploring new sites and cultures BUT I haven't been in a country where English isn't the first language spoken. So we shall see how well I navigate.
Here's a map of Belgium to give you an idea where it lies and what other countries are around it.
From everything I've been reading, Brussels is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Europe's must-see destinations, with its small town charm, trendy bars and restaurants, fabulous food, great nightlife, fantastic shopping, numerous museums.

The website has several places that are listed as "must see." But, I also want to see a castle (there are three listed on their website).
Here are the must sees that are on the website:

Grand PlaceThe Grand Place, with its ornate baroque and gothic guild houses, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Built as a merchants market in the 13th century, it serves as the city center and a great place to enjoy Belgian hospitality at one of the many terrace cafes. It is also a venue for many concerts & events throughout the year and during the warmer months has a vibrant, daily flower market.

Town Hall (Hotel de Ville)

The first building you notice upon entering the Grand Place is the striking gothic town hall, which dates back to the 13th century. Its beautiful facade features the famous needle-like crooked spire which is 315 feet in height and is topped by the archangel St. Michael. Tours are available of the interior, which contains 15th century tapestries and works of art.

The Royal Palace (Palais Royal)

The official home of the Belgian king, you will always know if he is in the country when you see the Belgian flag flying on top of the building. The building is a highlight of Neo-Classical architecture and overlooks Brussels Park. The Royal Palace is open to the public during the summer months.

Manneken Pis

This famous statue of a little boy peeing in a fountain is a perfect representative of the irreverent Belgian humor. The unique Brussels icon has been amusing visitors on the corner of Rue de L’Etuve & Stroofstraat since 1619. Over time it has become a tradition for visiting heads of state to donate miniature versions of their national costume for the little naked boy. The wardrobe of Mannekin Pis can be seen at the Brussels museum and includes over 760 outfits – even an authentic Elvis jumpsuit.

Coudenberg An underground trail to discover the remains of King Charles the Fifth's palace. A fascinating walk under Place royale to discover the remains of the Coudenberg Palace, one of the main residences of Charles V in the past. The former Hoogstraeten house - and its magnificent and entirely renovated gothic gallery - houses the Museum of the Coudenberg where you'll be able to admire the most beautiful archaeological discoveries of the last 25 years of the Coudenberg excavations history Galeries St Hubert This gorgeous, glass roofed arcade in the center of town, lined with cafes, theaters and luxury stores has the distinction of being the first shopping arcade in Europe. Built in 1847 and recently renovated, the Royal Galleries (Galerie de la Reine, du Roi and du Prince) are one of the most astonishing places to visit in Brussels. Atomium Built for the 1958 World Fair, the Atomium represents a molecule’s nine atoms – magnified 165 billion times. Something of a symbol of the city, it provides a panoramic view of Brussels and its surroundings. The 9 spheres that make up the “atom” are linked by escalators. The Atomium hosts a museum and is also a venue for special events. In Summer : take part in a unique activity: a Death-Ride from the top sphere of the Atomium! A breathtaking descent of more than 100 meters! Cathedral of Saints Michel and Gudule This magnificent cathedral, tactfully dedicated to the male and female patron saints of Brussels, is located near Central Station. It was completed by the end of the 15th century in the Brabant Gothic style, but was damaged by the French shelling of 1695. The white stone façade is from the year 1250 and the interior is splendidly proportioned and stuffed with treasures. Place du Grand Sablon This picturesque square is situated on the slope that divides Brussels between the upper and lower halves of the city. Decked out with chic boutiques, al fresco cafes, fashionable restaurants, and trendy bars, the Grand Sablon is most famous for its lively open-air antiques market which attracts antiques dealers from all over the world. Open every weekend (Sat 9-6, Sun 9-2). Place du Petit Sablon Just above the Grand Sablon is the jewel of a square - Petit Sablon. Originally a horse market, it was converted in 1890 into an elegant & charming flower garden with lavish fountains, surrounded by wrought-iron fences decorated with stone statuettes. Each figure represents a medieval trade or craft that brought prosperity to Brussels. Today it is a favorite area to relax while taking in the pretty view. Rue de Bouchers Known more for the atmospheric charm, Rue de Boucher is a walking thoroughfare abounding with 17th century stepped gables, decorated doorways, cafes and restaurants with lavish pavement displays of seafood, piled high on mounds of ice. This street offers a wide variety of restaurants at various price points. Two of the most well known restaurants are Chez Leon and Aux Armes de Bruxelles.