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Why not head to Brussels, Belgium for a bit of a short spring break?
I couldn't think of a good reason either and, with a few friends, embarked via train on the 11th of June. Nearly immediately after our arrival we discovered that one of our group had been pickpocketed. So, that morning we checked into the Meininger, a recently opened hostel off of the Charleroi Canal, and made for our first stop- the Brussels Police Station. From there, the Brtish Embassy was next. However, while near the police station, we made time to see the the Grand Platz, a central market square, and the Mannequin Pis, a bronze statue of a small, peeing boy. Our journey to the British Embassy led us near the Parliamentarium, the visitor's center for the EU Parliament. The visitor center was full of up-to-date technology charting the history and current workings of the EU Parliament including a round table simulation (and very fun game for children!). In the middle of the visitor center, there was a room with a large interactive floor map. On the walk back into the city we passed the Royal Palace of Brussels and were met with a stunning panoramic view from the top of a hill next to the Musical Instrument Museum, a future desination. On this hill there was a dining area operated by a crane. We didn't eat we watched it lift people into the sky to enjoy therir meals in mid-air. Our first day in Brussels ended with more exploring in the city's center and a taste of some traditional moules et frites (mussels and fries).
The following day was spent exploring a few cultural sites: Museum of Musical Instruments, Coudenberg, Brussels Park, Royal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Magritte Museum. The Museum of Musical Instruments, the MiM, has a collection of over 8,000 instruments. Upon entry visitors recieve a headset which automatically plays music from whichever intrument you stand in front of and includes unique instruments such as the glass harmonica and a trombone with seven bells. In the Coudenberg, a site of urban archaeology underneath the Royal Palace, we descended below the city to see the foundations of a chapel and an old banqueting hall. After a rest in the park and admiring fine art. We snagged dinner at Chez Leon on Beenhouwersstraat, the "stomach" of Brussels, enjoying the atmosphere and free after-dinner lollipops. That night we traveled to the Atomium, a atom-like building constructed for the 1958 Brussel's World's Fair. Even though the Atomium was close, we walked around Laeken Park.
Our final day consisted of taking in everything that was left to be seen. For me this meant exploring the Cinquantenaire Park and Museum of Natural Sciences, where I saw a huge cache of iguanudons. I also made sure to try the best fries in the city at Maison Antoine, a delectable waffle, and authentic Belgian chocolate. The city itself has a unique unsettled atmosphere and things appear to be in constant flux. It is a place where you can have beer and hot chocolate at the same time, drink milk from a huge carton without drawing attention to yourself, sword fight with flags in an underground archaeological site, and see mosaic space invaders are around every corner of town. Street art is on both directional signs and the city walls, smurfs (of Belgian origin) run rampant, and Tin-Tin never misses an adventure!
A fabulous trip, but it is nice to be back in London again.
Until next time!
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