A Rainy Day In Brussels...

Note: To use the internet at the Brussels hotel, it would have cost 10 euros… This blog was composed at the end of our day, but posted late due to the cost.

This morning, after an early breakfast, we all checked out of our Amsterdam hotel and rode our coach into the heart of Belgium, BRUSSELS! To help pass the time during our 3 hour drive, we were treated to the movie, Saving Private Ryan, to remind us of the actions at Normandy and recall just how devastating WWII was not only for our soldiers, but for civilians in each country.

Once we arrived in Brussels we left our coach with cameras, a few euros, and a rain jacket. We passed a beautiful gothic style cathedral, and visited Manneken Pis the “peeing mannequin.” Ask your delegate if he or she remembers any of the stories associated with this small fountain statue. Evidently it is quite a treasure… on par with the USA’s Statue of Liberty.

LUNCH time!!! We had a leisurely lunch (or petite dejeuner as the french say) of steak and frittes (french fries) at a nice restaurant, european style cheesecake and LOTS of water. Next on our itinerary? A Belgian Chocolate factory – oh yes!

We sat down in a viewing room at Planet Chocolat for a 30 minute video presentation of the history of chocolate. One of the factory's chocolatiers offered us some samples and taught us all about the process of making chocolate (from beans to bars) AND the its historical highlights. Ask your delegate what the difference is in the ingredients that make up dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. Your delegate may have a strong opinion about white chocolate… Is it REALLY chocolate? Another great piece of information was an explanation of WHY Belgian chocolate is SO much tastier than in other countries (hint: there are 2 things that make Belgian chocolate superior to others).

Of course the factory was conveniently attached to a shop where we could purchase chocolate to take home. How thoughtful of them to think of us and make these treats so readily accessible! Ask your delegate about the different figures the chocolate was molded into… There were some interesting examples in the store.

Lunch? CHECK!

Chocolate? CHECK!

What is next? Free time! We were able to search out sites in groups of three or more around La Grande Place (the big square), considered by many to be the most beautiful square in all of the European Union. While many delegates took in the architecture and beauty of the square and its buildings, many others ventured out to the nearby shops. A great deal of bonding has taken place amongst the delegates as they discussed their interest in the sights around them and what they love about the places we have gone so far. The delegates met in the center of the square at 4:45 so we could have an early dinner. They looked like one big happy family, all chatting and laughing about their day.

Dinner was wonderful! Meatballs, sauce, and potatoes followed by…

For desert… can you guess? (Hint: we are in the country of Belgium)

That is correct! We had Belgian waffles with powdered sugar for desert – excellent!

Because we have SUCH an early day tomorrow, we set out for the hotel (from dinner) at 6:30 p.m. We checked into our tiny rooms, got settled and met downstairs for a huge game of cards and even few rounds of Twister. Bed Checks were at 10:30 and lights out was 11 p.m.

So far, so good! Tomorrow we are heading to Paris (ooh la la)… Bon Soir!