Hey all,
The next city that I will had the opportunity to visit is the city of Brussels in Belgium. Out of all the cities that I visited in Europe, I think that Brussels is by far my favorite. Usually, when I make this claim, people just look at me as if I am crazy. Yes, it is not Paris or Venice or Amsterdam. But, there are so many things to like about Brussels and Belgium...
The first obvious characteristic about Brussels is that the city is bilingual and serves as a unifying factor between the Dutch-speaking people of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking people of Wallonia in the south. Despite political troubles within the country, Brussels serves a a key link uniting the country. Brussels also serves as the "capital of Europe" because it houses the European Commission--one of the major branches of the European Union. During my time in the city, we were able to have a briefing at the Commission and were able to ask the tough questions...about EU enlargement, the adoption of the Euro, and the European Security and Defense Policy. It was such a great learning experience to see the future of government in Europe.
In addition to visiting the Commission, we also had a briefing at NATO's civilian headquarters, just outside of Brussels. What another fascinating experience!!! We had the chance to meet with both US leaders in NATO as well as leaders of other nations to discuss their views of NATO and its future in Europe and around the world. Despite intensive security procedures and passing through numerous checkpoints (including the confiscation of our cell phones and cameras), the visit was probably one of the most exciting (cool) thing that I did while in Europe.
Brussels is also a very quirky town. The Grote Markt/Grand Place is the most beautiful city square that I have ever seen, especially at night. Lined with gold-crested trade guild houses and the central town hall, the luxury of old world Brussels was not lost on me. Moreover, the smells of chocolate and waffles fill the air as you pass through the covered markets of downtown. Brussels is quirky in the fact that there are numerous buildings that are left from earlier centuries right next to (as Brusseliers will say) modern monstrosities. It is not uncommon to see an old trade guild building next to a modern office tower... an example of such oddity is the regional parliament building which is half old, and half new. Moreover, any city that can have a statue of a small boy urinating as its city symbol (and be proud of it), is clear a city with a distinct personality. Brussels is truly enchanting, livable, and progressively eccentric.
Finally, the number 1 reason that I love Brussels is its food!!!! As such, this post's food section is about triple its usual size... Brussels has some of the best and most renowned food in Europe and in the world. Things that you must eat in Brussels: mussels, frites (yes, they were invented here, not in France), waffles--Liege and Brussels styles, Belgian beer, and chocolate, especially pralines. When people think of food in Europe, most don’t picture Belgium as a culinary capital. However, after all of my travels, I must say that the food that I had in Brussels was my favorite.
The European Commission (a major component of the EU) on the left and a random statue.
Left: the Brussels Capital-Region Parliament, an example of the mixture of old and new architecture. Right: a cool looking bookstore.
"I find that Belgium is better than some fight over language..." A quote that sums up the current Belgian political situation. Right: The Royal Palace of Brussels.
Comic strip on a wall near the city center... there is a huge cartoon animation museum in Brussels. The area on the right is a touristy area near the Grote Markt, but it has great mussels!!!
Town hall at the Grote Markt (central square). Manneken Pis... the little boy peeing. It is the symbol of the city. Strange?
Brussels is full of flags. Each represents something unique about this area. Left-Right: Flag of the Brussels Capital-Region, the EU Flag, the Flag of Belgium, the Brussels-City Flag, and the Flag of Wallonia (the French-Speaking Autonomous Region). There is also one for the Dutch-Speaking Region.
Guild houses on the Grote Markt... notice the gold embossed store fronts and the symbols within the architecture. An example is shipwright's guild which had the stern of a ship at the top of the facade. The building on the right is the (old) trade authority.
Chocolate ice cream truffle.... amazing! Kreik (cherry) beer is a national specialty... it didn't really taste like beer--more like a cherry Jolly Rancher.
Mussel soup & mussels=outstanding. The beer is gueuze, a very sour Belgian beer from Brussels. It was my favorite in Europe.
Two style of waffles: a Liege waffle which has sugar in the batter (left). The right is a Brussels waffle... the sugar is dusted on the top. True Belgians never put toppings are their waffles, only tourists do that. Option include bananas, strawberry, and chocolate; when in Belgium...
Traditional Dutch architecture. Brussels is a wonderful mix of French and Dutch cultures.
More interesting facades. Notice the "modern monstrosity" in the background. Royal Galleries on the right--first covered shopping area, even before Milan.
Both pictures show a part of the Royal Palace. The bulding in the backgroun of the picture on the left is the Palace of Justice.
The Grote Markt at night... the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen. By far my favorite town square in Europe.
The Cathedral in Brussels and the Grote Markt again.
Brussels is such a surprising city. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it (it's not on many peoples' list of top tourist destinations in Europe). However, it was one of my favorite cities in Europe. The town is quirky, ecclectic, strange, yet very liveable. The food was mouthwater. It was also enjoyable to see both NATO and the European Commission. But, the lesson that I will take away from Brussels is that it IS possible to live and work together, despite language or other barriers.
Hope all is well. Look for another post soon.
Love & Honor,
Matt
