I arrived to the Brussels airport on time with a quick (4 minute) change at central station. I stood in front of the arrival door for about 30 minutes until two smiling American's walked out and I became the idiot flailing her arms in the air and jumping up and down with excitement.
We headed to the rental garage and picked up our transport for the next ten days...a Ford Focus stationwagon with tints haha. After loading our first destination into the Gipers, that we so fondly named Rue la Poo, we were off to central Brussels and two days of exploration!
The first and most important tradition to all proper Eurotrips is a cafe in a cafe...or hot chocolate for me. Once we get Danielle and Jenna some caffeine, the cogs started turning and we hopped on the metro and down the the Grand Place where all the magic happens. This square is one of the most ornate and famous in Europe and is also vibrant with life any night of the week. With events going on like flower markets, farmers markets, live music, and tons of cafes, there's always some random tourist asking for directions or someone to take your photo.
Upon exiting the metro we headed into the Galleries, which is basically this majestic covered walkway with glass ceilings and beautiful elegant shops. Brussels is famous for chocolate, diamonds and lace and these shops were full of all of the above. Halfway through the atrium we hung a left to walk into the most picturesque alleyway filled with restaurants. We chose one that looked good and feasted on Moules/mussels and frites and our first beer of the day!
After lunch we made our way to our preferred attraction; a bar named Delirium. Which in fact, ironically enough, is how we felt when we exited about 4 hours later. The bar holds the Guiness Book of World Record title for having 2004 different kinds of beer to choose from. What made our adventure that much better is that we decided to each get different beers each round and share them. Here's a few that we remember...Duvle, Rodenbach, Cherry, Apple, and Mango Floris, Chimay, Blanche, and Leffe Brown. They were all delicious and the bartender thought we were nuts for mixing so many different kinds of beer. Little does he know...
After throwing quite a few back we headed out for the Grand Place. It was so beautiful with gorgeous baroque guildhalls and surrounded by outdoor cafes. Definitely a site to see even if it's just for a minute! From the Grand Place we went to the patron saint and unsung hero of Brussels, Mannekin Pis, a very famous, but small, bronze statue of a 17th century boy peeing. A fable passed down from generations that somehow became the place to check out while visiting the seat of the European Union. Hilarious!
After cruising the streets for the local fare and stuffing our faces with chocolates and waffles, we headed to dinner on this little pedestrian street by the hotel. We ate at a delicious Italian restaurant and enjoyed some wine and the beautiful weather. By the end of dinner, all the excitement and chocolate had dissipated and we headed back to the hotel exhausted from a fun filled day. On our way, we stopped by a 'night shop' to buy some bottled water. A soon to be staple of our trip as we learned very quickly that purchasing potable water and peeing whilst out on the town are two things the Europeans don't believe in.
On May 15th my adventures took me on an 8 mile loop up to a local monument, The Drie Landen Punt which is the point where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands come together. It is also the top of the Vaalser Berg (321 meters/1053 feet); the highest point in the Netherlands. Needless to say, it's not that high but when you're looking out onto some of the flattest terrain in all of Europe, you feel pretty gosh darn elevated! 
When I first arrived, driving around I kept seeing these dead branches everywhere covered in streamers. I couldn't figure out why there were huge branches, sometimes full blown trees, dead and winded, scattered all over the local towns. Well I finally asked someone and apparently the Belgians have a holiday in the beginning of May where they chop down a yound tree, douse it in streamers and then literally attach it to their girlfriend's house. And I mean really attach it! Either to the side of the building itself or to the light poll out front. The tree proceeds to die and the streamers become saggy and discoolored, yet the testament of adoration remains for all to see.
As I'm in Belgium, I'm taking full advantage of what this country has to offer...incredibly large ice cream cones (2 scoops for E1,40), Frites (French fries) and of course Belgian Beer! I've become a big fan of a little sleeve of paper I like to call the beer bib. As I'm sure you've heard the Belgy's take their beer incredibly seriously! In fact, they think it's the best in the world and have all sorts of rituals and stories surrounding even the easiest of tasks...pouring the beer into the glass. So I should not have been suprised when I discovered the beer bib in all it's glory. You see, when you go to a restaurant or a pub and order a beer, it comes in a beautiful goblet and around the small stem at the bottom is a sort of doily or coaster. Not under the glass, but around it. At first, I didn't know what to think, then it hit me...this is a little bib for the dribbles that may float over the rim of the glass. How posh!
I've spent a lovely few days with my friends over in the Flemish region of Belgium, I'll make them lasagna tonight and tomorrow I'm off to my favorite city in the world...Paris! I'll stay with my uncle and on Friday we'll go visit a castle :)