Few Days in Belgium

One of our stops in Europe this year was Belgium! For many, the first thing that comes to mind  if you think about food that is associated with this country are waffles and chocolate. I did not realize how much I like beer, until I tasted it there. If for my son, Belgium is birthplace of Tintin, I now think of their yummy yummy beer. Yep! That sums up what we know about Belgium but naturally,  there is more. A lot more, so that it makes it is difficult to learn everything you want to learn about a country on a day trip that is only few days long. I did not know that fried potatoes are eaten in large quantities and that mussels is an iconic Belgian food. You can't learn everything and nothing can stop you from enjoying the trip but the weather. We were lucky and even the weather has cooperated for the most part. I really did not know what to expect from the trip and was pleasantly surprised, so there is something to say about lowered expectations.

• Brussels

One of the more famous places in Brussels

 We flew to Brussels from Stockholm and stayed there in an old hotel. Our goal in the city is to be able to walk to most attractions, so we try to live in the, or close to the center  and walk everywhere by foot as much as we can. We made it to these attractions relatively painlessly. We visited museums, walked by royal palace, strolled through the park and walked all the way back to the hotel.
This is famous Peeing boy

This is another place everyone wants to see and his representation in housewares

 We absolutely had to have some waffles and this was enjoyed near the store that we had to visit for our son, who is a big fan of Tintin and who has enjoyed all of the books.

The cafe was right near the Tintin store.

 Incidentally,  the cafe is also overlooking this street. I love the names of food in the streets as it is a foodee's blog.

 I know that we can buy all of the goodies in the state at the fraction of the cost they are sold for tourists but you can't pass the chocolate aroma of the multiple chocolate shops and not be moved to buy some right there.

A fantastic thing happened in Brussels. My husband reunited with his high school friend, some one he had not seen in 25 years. This was absolutely a great thing. The connections that we keep  are invisible but so strong. I met my husband's classmate and his family for the first time but it felt like we are good neighbors that have known each other for a long time. We were invited to dinner, that was absolutely fantastic. I have to admit that I would love to be able to present a meal in such manner like the my new Belgian friend. I am not capable of that type set up. I can create a spread for 40 people but it will look like a buffet not this beautiful presentation.

 

• Leuven

 We were also lucky to be introduced to lovely city of Leuven by the same friend. Our tour guide was awesome from city tour to the explanation of  our dining options.

 

 Students are everywhere. The atmosphere is magical, where old and new equally thriving.

 

 These are representation of Flemish cuisine. Chicken with sauce, beef stew and toast with beef spread.

Puff pasetry (bouchée) with chicken (vol au vent) and fries

Beef stew cooked with beer or carbonade flamande or soofvlees

Toast with ground beef or filet américain

... and of course the beer

I absolutely love this beer

 

• Brugge

Our next stop was Brugge. We took a train early in the morning from Brussels and spent an entire day in old and beautiful Brugge. Our feet were aching by the end of the day when we got on the train to Brussels but what a fun we had. The pictures were so many that it is hard to choose what to put in the blog.

Unfortunately we did not have enough time to visit this museum

The St. John’s Hospital (Sint-Janshospitaal) is one of the oldest preserved hospital buildings in Europe.

Fish Market - empty when we stumbled up on it

Swan is a symbol of Brugge

I had to include this picture. How cute is this pup?

Some window shopping examples are below

 

 

 This picture is a composite that is done by Microsoft Image Composite Editor and I have to tell you that this program is a lot of fun and free to download.

 We had a lovely dinner that evening and of course some beer and a waffle with ice cream.

One of our last scenery before catching the train back to Brussels

  Strangely, on this trip we did not try the traditional mussels and perhaps it is because we are not huge fan of the mollusk. The only mussel that I ended up with was the one we bought for my silver charm bracelet - I love that one. We were limited on time and did not have a chance to visit everything we could but we had a great time and the country was lovely. Thanks Belgium!