Brussels

I'll be the first to admit - I've never really cared to check out Brussels. I've passed through several times on my way to India, but never wondered what was out there. I finally had a reason to go, and so I did. The entire time that I planned out the trip, I didn't spend more than a few minutes here and there thinking about what I would do in the city where my travels would begin and end! There are a few possible reasons for my lack of interest:

1. I haven't read or learned much about Belgian history
2. I haven't read or learned much about Belgian geography
3. All I knew of Belgium's offerings were chocolate and beer (wait, why wasn't that enough?!!!??)
4. I haven't read or learned much about Belgian culture

Last year, I was enthralled watching scenes from an Indian movie set in Bruges, and I was in love! But more about Bruges later - all in good time!! Bruges was the only Belgian city I was interested in seeing. And because I planned it that way, I wasn't left with a lot of time to see Brussels.

As we walked the streets of Brussels, I found myself intrigued with the local "flavor". This parade for instance. No idea what it was for. But these guys (including the cutest little kids), all dressed up were walking around, playing drums and throwing oranges at people (what?!)!

...and why are there SO many statues peeing???? This one was peeing beer :-/

I found the city to have a lot of somewhat-indoor-somewhat-outdoor areas like this one. A covered structure, with storefronts along both sides, not enclosed on either end.

I've always thought of Belgium to be primarily French-speaking (think Hercule Poirot, folks!), but I was surprised to learn that a lot of Belgium speaks more Dutch than French. I found this theme over and over again. European countries are often divided in languages...the part of the country you're visiting would likely speak the language of the country nearest to it, unless the country has a language of its own.

Since I didn't have the time to see all the attractions, I harassed Sanjay until he helped me drill down to a couple of places I *had* to see!! One was Grand Place. And boy, is it well-named! Ornate, gilded buildings, and a wide city square full of people:

Here we go with people in costumes again!!

I took this picture in a moment of thrill, when I suddenly realized...I'm in Europe! This is it!!! The pattern made by the cobblestones was strangely hypnotic.

There were even horse-drawn carriages! I didn't take a ride...but in hindsight....(maybe next time!)

Then of course, there was this behemoth of a building - Palais Justice, the largest courthouse in the world. It has been under renovations for years now. There is something very sad, and yet very regal about this place. I felt a sense of awe when I walked in that I'd never before felt in my life. I had never felt so small in a BUILDING.