I left home in San Antonio at 5AM Sunday, with the first stop on my trip being Charlotte, North Carolina. It is my new favorite airport--way more cosmopolitan than I expected. I had a chair massage, and could have sat in a rocking chair for a spell, but didn't have time. The ladies restroom even had an attendant (from Russia--I asked!) who whisked out the paper towels for me (so of course, I tipped her). I told her we didn't have restroom attendants in Texas, and she seemed very surprised. I guess she thought it was regular American culture! Another funny sign in the airport in Charlotte said, "Don't plan on sleeping too much!" I'm taking that as my mantra for the next two weeks. I know I will be tired even today, when I get to Brussels, but I just have one day, and can't spend it sleeping!
An 8-hour flight is really not great fun. The last time I did this, I was 16, and everything was possible. Today, my back hurt and my legs ached. All I wanted was to recline fully. Makes me understand why people pay for first class! I eschewed headphones (big mistake). By hour number six, I was so ready for a movie! Of course, there was the obligatory crying baby. No wait! It was an Airbus (8 seats across, two aisles), so I drew two crying babies, one in front and one in back of me. Thankfully no one sat next to me who needed "extra leg room." Two sweet girls from Russia, and an elderly couple from Germany. It was so delightful hearing two different languages, one in each ear. Makes me understand why people don't take weekend trips to Europe.
A quick stop in Frankfurt, Germany, and then a 40-minute flight to Brussels. I had been told how casual everyone dresses in Europe, so didn't bring suits or heels. Well, nearly everyone on the plane to Brussels was wearing a very expensive suit, and only three of us (on a 737) were women! It was very interesting. I felt totally like a tourist, but it didn't bother me much. In reading about Brussels, and driving (100 kph) past the European Parliament, I realized that lots of important business and politicking goes on in this picturesque city. It would be fun to spend more time here sometime in the future.
The taxi cab ride from the airport to my hotel on the Grand Place, Lower Town, Brussels, was hair-raising. It reminds me of the way I used to drive before I had kids! Very fast, zipping in and out of traffic. The hotel is on a beautiful square (see photos) flanked by two museums. Unfortunately most museums in Brussels are closed on Mondays, so will miss them this trip. The hotel itself is a very old building, and most everything except the lovely deep bathtub in the room is old as well. It was worth it to fling open the windows over the market square and watch tourists taking pictures of the front of the building. Wait! I will be in tourist photos! I should have given them a princess wave! I took photos of the buildings all the way around the square on the other three sides.
After a cheat sheet from the proprietor (Hotel Saint Michel only has 15 rooms, and is family-owned), I ventured out to find St. Catherine's cathedral. I had been told that St. Nicolas' cathedral was something to behold, and stopped there first. Many signs pointed out that it was a place for prayer and meditation, so I didn't feel it was appropriate to snap pictures. Man, alive, though, when you are in a church that is hundreds of years old, with beautiful icons and architecture that just takes your breath away, it is really an experience. The streets all the way to St. Catherine's are cobblestones, and my sandals didn't fare so well (nevermind that it had rained all morning, and continues to drizzle this afternoon). I finally made it, and found the church ensconced in scaffolding, and what there was to see of the facade was disappointing (hence the restoration, I guess). No admittance to the inside, so St. Nicolas wins the day!
On the walk back, I stumbled upon Restaurant Chez Patrick. Would totally have eaten lunch there, but it was closed. Instead, I took a chance on the pub next door, and had a spectacular Belgian beef stew made in a beer sauce. Literally spectacular. Nothing but the beef. No veggies (though it was served with pommes frites on the side). Melted in my mouth. Delicious.
Up at dawn tomorrow for another taxi ride back to the Brussels International Airport to meet the UMHB cohort to begin Marian's Excellent EdVenture in Europe. Stay tuned! Should be fun.
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