BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

2001
Although Brussels is a vast, sprawling city, it has some areas of real charm. The Grand Place - the center of the city, is dominated by some very impressive old buildings - such as the City Hall.
Brussels is best known for two things: being the administrative center of the European Community, and this statue of a lad called Mannekin Pis. He stands about 18 inches tall in an elaborate setting on a hidden street corner. Signs all over the city point visitors to this unlikely place. Indeed, statues of the figure can be purchased in various shops throughout town. Just why this diminutive kid is so loved by the city's inhabitants remains a mystery.
The day we visited was cool but clear and just at the onset of Spring. Diane took a moment to look through all the wonderful flowers on sale at a special market in the Grand Place.

 
We also found a couple of streets dedicated to eating - a good opportunity to try the national dish of mussels and fried potatoes. Although not quite outside-sitting weather, all the out door seating areas had warmers which made them very comfortable.

 

Much of Brussels is highly industrialized or consists of high-rise buildings like any other large city. The sheer size of it caught us a little by surprise. Not surprisingly,  therefore, we sought out other areas in Belgium to see and found perhaps the most interesting sights in Bruges. 

| Bruges | Brussels | Cologne | Wolfsburg | Munich | Innsbruck | Zurich | Strassbourg |