Brace yourself. As you read this line, you are witnessing history in the making: Brian has created a blog. You can see everything I'm doing as I catalog all of my European Adventures.
Brussels is a very big city. I didn't really know how big it was until we got on the ground and started walking around the cities. There is really no rhyme or reason to the streets either. They're pretty random and illogical when compared with the orderly city blocks of big US cities like NY and even Charlotte. The people I have encountered are fairly friendly and can speak a little bit of English (Thank God). Most of the ones I've encountered speak mostly French, but French and Dutch are both widely used in Belgium. All the TV stations are either in French or Dutch. We do get the BBC in English, but it's pretty dull. The streets in Brussels are all cobblestone, which makes for a cool antiquated feel to the city. However, when you walk miles upon miles, you begin to appreciate the practicality of paved side-walks over the antique cobblestone streets. The cobblestones mixed with walking nearly 5 miles a day is really taking a toll on my feet/ calves. I normally reserve my running shoes for running to maintain the tread pattern that is unique to running, but I may have to make an exception... my Sperry's are not very breathable. It doesn't help that its been very warm since we got here. Normally it's more cloudy and cool here, but it's been in the high 70's and sunny until today. It's not humid, so it would be pretty refreshing if I were not constantly outside and walking.
Like most US cities, Brussels has a lot of different areas of the city, some of which are much nicer than others. Our hotel is in a moderately nice part of the city, but it doesn't have air conditioning, making certain parts of the hotel very warm. Luckily, I'm on the back side where the sun never shines directly in the window, so our room stays relatively cool. (You can see the view from my window. I have a pretty spectacular view. At night, the large building with the slanted top illuminates in all different colors and even has words scroll across it.) I am looking forward to the temperature dropping 10 degrees or so. The sunshine has been great for all places I've been visiting, but doesn't help when I'm back at the hotel trying to stay cool. I like my surroundings more on the chilly side.
So rather than carry on about the differences in everyday life, I'll get to what I've been up to while here. The city has so much to see. I've already visited a good number of parks and cathedrals with all sorts of monuments. A few of which I'll you can see here. A lot of the places I've visited have been the street cafe's, which are huge here. They're really an essential part of Brussels culture. People sit at these street cafes with tables along the streets and drink and converse with one another for hours. It seems like that's all anyone does here. It's pretty cool though. Almost everywhere I've eaten I've dined outside along the street. I very much enjoy this part of the experience and wish that that sort of life-style would make its way across the Atlantic.
Today, the group I'm here with visited a Belgian chocolate factory. (Belgium is famous for four things: Beer, Chocolate, Fries, and of course Waffles... I've experienced 3/4 of them) It was the most incredible chocolate experience of my life. We learned about the whole chocolate production process and how the cocoa tree yields this amazing chocolate. I also got to try my hand at making some gourmet chocolates. (I'm going to leave it to the Belgians... I wasn't too great). While making the stuff was cool, I can't get over how good it tasted. I'm not a chocolate fanatic or anything, but I had the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted today. I can't even describe how good it was. We also had all sorts of individual chocolates (probably too many). That was definitely a very cool experience.
Sweet blog bro! Your trip seems somewhat reminiscent of my own a year ago: hot hotel rooms, sore calves, and lots of walking. All part of a great European experience I suppose. Have fun!
Hi Brian, I am so glad that your mom emailed me about this blog. This is very interesting to me because I love to travel and see how other people live. I will check in and read about your trip. Enjoy this experience! I wish it was me. Miss Patti
10 comments:
Sweet blog =) I wanted you to have a comment! I'm so excited I made it into the first post, I'm honored.
Brian, I just read your blog. Sounds like a good time. How long are you there for and what is your main focus?
Uncle Dan
Hi Bud! Glad you are having a good time! Have fun! Love you! Mom
Sweet blog bro! Your trip seems somewhat reminiscent of my own a year ago: hot hotel rooms, sore calves, and lots of walking. All part of a great European experience I suppose. Have fun!
B-rian, it looks beautiful there! I can't wait to hear more about it! Kudos on the blog-it truly is history in the making!
Sarah
brian bro! this is great man! i loved reading this and can't wait to hear more. keep it coming man!
love you bro!
Brian-
This sounds fabulous! Enjoy your time there and continue to soak up every experience possible. I can't wait to hear more!
BRIAN PARK I AM SO JEALOUS OF YOU!
Hi Brian, I am so glad that your mom emailed me about this blog. This is very interesting to me because I love to travel and see how other people live. I will check in and read about your trip. Enjoy this experience! I wish it was me. Miss Patti
"Hi Ho Tin Foil" .... the blog is great! Keep it coming!
Mary Royal
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