Brussels

Brussels

We were very excited to land in Europe’s Capital. Brussels isn’t officially Europe’s capital, but it does hold EU business and meetings; this lead to Brussels being called Europe’s capital. Everyone that we knew that had ever gone to Brussels absolutely loved it, so we were excited to go. This is the one city that we didn’t actually know what to do there. Well, that might be because there really isn’t much to do there. Brussels the city is actually very nice and very standard of what you think of Europe. It was pretty safe feeling and the people were all pretty friendly. Since, as we were told, Belgium is having a “soft winter” there were still plenty of people out on the streets at night. The streets were lively with street performers who were actually very good. And the streets were decked out for the holidays. The beers were delicious and the chocolates were absolutely amazing. I don’t think I have had any better than I have had in Belgium (I have yet to go to Switzerland though). However there really is nothing to do in Brussels except eat. And that would be awesome if it would outrageously overpriced. Brussels is a fun city if you are passing through it. It has great chocolates, waffles, and beer. But stay too long and you will not want any of those things. 

Here is a Christmas market. They are fun, but so overpriced.

The following buildings are in a square called Grand Place. It is considered one of Europe's most beautiful squares. It was originally built in the 13th century, the square was destroyed during a bombardment by the French in 1694. It was rebuilt soon after in Gothic style. 

Maison du Roi which houses a city Museum

The building with the statue on top is a museum. It includes the Brussels' Beer Museum.

Buildings that were restaurants on the ground floor.

Town Hall Building

This building is the Baker's Guild house

So Manneken Pis is a tiny statue of a boy peeing... It was actually just the size of a toddler. I thought it was a little disappointing. But it is the most photographed landmark in all of Brussels. I however really liked this graffeti art of Manneken Peace better. Poor kid hasn't been able to pee in private in 100 years.

I'm not actually sure what this building is, but I thought it looked pretty awesome. 

So, the night life was probably the best part of Brussels. And this street was particularly my favorite. I liked this corner because it has desk lamps as street lamps which I think is pretty awesome. Also, good musicians also played every night a long this street.

Atomium is a structure built for the '58 World Fair in Brussels. With its 9, 18meter diameter spheres is constructed to look like a unit cell of an Aluminum crystal magnified 165 million times. The original was built out of Aluminum (the name is a combination of Aluminum and atom). In 2004 they replaced the aluminum with stainless steel because it was faded and falling apart. It stands 102 meters tall and you can go inside 6 of the spheres. 

This is the view while going up to the top sphere in the elevator. The elevator is in the central tube that connects the spheres. The other connections between the spheres hold escalators and stairs. 

This is what one of the escalators looks like. It looks like something straight out of Star Wars or something. 

Martyrs Square is a monument and crypt. This monument is in honor of those who died in the Belgian Revolution. This is actually where many of the fallen actually were buried.