Personally, I would have NEVER thought that I was going to be traveling to another country, just two days after school started… and boy, must I say, Belgium was the perfect first trip. Although we had to wake up at four in the morning, to take a metro {before people have even left the clubs}, to take a public bus to the airport, and figure out the whole passport and flight situation. Just getting to the airport was an experience itself. Waking up that early to wind and rain, having to layer up like no other because Ryanair has certain baggage guidelines, and carrying a small backpack around with four days worth of clothing… My dad would be super proud of my packing capabilities to say the least.
When we arrived, Drew had already been in Belgium for about two hours, so we decided to meet him at the hotel, which was not your typical hotel. It had to three beds: the main one in the middle of the room and then two beds that were literally in holes in the walls. It was so neat, until we attempted to sleep the first night and the bar {which was located RIGHT above us} was moving tables and had people stomping… But enough about the hotel because that is not what I am here to tell you about. The hotel is not what makes or breaks a trip; it’s all about the adventure and the people you are with.
Because we arrived in Brussels, Belgium right at lunch time, after checking into the hotel, we walked around and stumbled upon the most delicious place ever. The picture may not do it justice, but the quinoa salad was one of my favorite meals up to date. Once we were done with lunch we walked around the town and managed to upon the plaza in which the Guggenheim Museum is located. Honestly, when I was younger, museums were never of interest to me; I would go in and I would immediately want out. For some reason, this was different. I picked up one of the booklets and read about almost every piece of artwork. Personally, after looking at a couple it makes me rethink my future because there was a piece of “art” that was literally just scribbles… I felt like my baby cousin could've done it!!
After the museum, we continued along the road and wound up at the Royal Palace of Brussels. The palace was absolutely stunning: gated in black and gold, having an extravagant layout of hedges, and with some accents of turquoise posts.
After the palace, we continued our journey around the town and found some more beautiful places, that I could not name, but the pictures are worth a look. We got to see a beautiful overlook of the skyline, walk into some guarded building {in which the military men wouldn't allow me to take a pic of them or a selfie with them}, and of course we wound up at the infamous statue of the peeing boy in Belgium {that just so happened to be located next to the waffle place we went to}. Naturally, I broke out in hives thanks to the gluten in the DELICIOUS waffle and the dairy in the Nutella and ice-cream that topped it, but it was TOTALLY {kinda} worth it.
That night when we got home around 11:30pm {I know SUPER early for college students}, we booked a chocolate and beer tour. As for those of you who know me really well, and know I don't drink beer or eat chocolate, it may come to a surprise; however, it was $75 well spent!! Our tour guide took us all around the city and pointed out not only good places to get chocolate and drinks, but also fun places that have entertainment and fulfilling food. We went on Chinese New Year, so the streets were busy and full of excitement. Our tour was at 3pm and lasted almost five hours!! Because I hadn't really eaten {all I had for breakfast was part of an acai bowl and some tea}, and I wasn't eating chocolate or able to drink beer, when my guide gave me wine, I was tipsy after just the first drink… SOOO unlike me, but the wine was so yummy if I do say so myself. Following the long tour and tasting, we went to get thai food and naturally finished off the day with ANOTHER waffle… BUT this time just with powdered sugar because “only tourists get everything on their waffles and make a mess of everything.” {http://www.thebrusselsjourney.com}
For our last day in Brussels, we went to explore some more. Because it was Sunday, Drew went home {not knowing we didn't have class on Monday}, but before he left we got waffles with strawberries and powdered sugar… And yes mama I do realize I need to watch what I'm eating not just because of my allergies but cause I no longer have Jon Jon kicking my butt in training!! Because Drew left and Maddie wasn't feeling up to par, four of my roomies and myself went to get some of the infamous French fries {which are baked in beef fat… sounds nasty but absolutely delicious}, and then Megan and I decided to explore a little bit on our own.
We made our way via taxi to the Autonium which was so neat!! Although we couldn't really figure out what exactly it was prior to becoming an exhibit due to the majority of the information being in French, it was so fun to get to see the place. The view from the top was amazing and being in a ball, you basically could get a whole panoramic view. Now making our way back to where we know, without any data on our phones or knowing the language is another story, but the views and the food made it so worth it!!
Brussels, I have nothing but good things to say about you, and I hope to one day be able to visit you again!!
xoxo v
