Missy peeking at me
K. Loving me some Brussels. It is about time I post. I have been hiding out with my charge Missy the cat. A funky character she is. We have been getting along famously although I have not allowed her to sleep with me which is all fine as she seems to be happy to nestle in the left behind clothes of her owner, Donal. I have not done an extensive amount of exploring just yet which has all been good since I have some time here. I found a great gym for 7 consecutive days for 55 euro so I have been committed to getting there everyday – although I missed one. And I am also trying the Dukan Diet to try and lose the extra poundage I have put on whilst enjoying my travels. And go figure, it is the beer festival here this weekend.
The infamous town hall in Grand Place
To some Brussels is like a Luxembourg City. It is not huge population wise and has a very international population given the fact that it is the seat of the EU parliament. As well, and different to Luxembourg, there is a significant immigrant population. Largely from Africa. As such you do encounter a fair number of beggars which is too bad. This is too bad because it is sad that they arrive here and cannot find a livelihood but it is also sad because it is not something that anyone generally wants in their day to day life.
This picture is for you Mum - couldn't help myself
The city is very vibrant I find. The Grand Place is definitely a focal point. It is funny, because today when I was sitting having some lunch I heard two young gentlemen walk by and one of them commented “is there anything more than just this Grand Place?” This made me laugh, because obviously he has not been looking around much. And this is a funny thing that can happen.
I have no idea what this fountain dude is about! But it made me laugh
Even myself, as I am settled here for two weeks, I have been less driven to get out every day and explore and as such I find I don’t see as much. It takes effort, a good kind of effort, to observe your surroundings. Anywhere you are has beauty, you just have to find it.
The immense Justice Palace under heavy scaffolding for restoration
And as such I have only started to embark on my investigations of Brussels and Belgium on a whole. I am going to visit Bruges and Ghent so there will be more to come. But this is just a taster and to say hi, from me and Missy.
Cat in a box
I thought I had entered some comments re Brussels and Bruges but do not see them anywhere. Two places I have been to more than once – first time when I was only 17 and to young to get into a Casino – the group we were with were all going there.!!!
That’s cool Mum, I don’t even think of the Casino but I know that they are pretty popular. I have not seen any comments other than this one from you. Loving Brussels – Bruges was a bit overrun with tourists but what can you do.