Exploring Brussels

Instead of staying or camping (which as you may know is a bit beyond my comfort level) in Spa, a little town in the middle of the woods in eastern Belgium, we opted to do what lots of fans do, and stay in Brussels and drive out to Spa each day. The drive is about an hour and a half (thank you small European countries) and gives us a chance to experience Brussels and see a bit of the Belgian countryside.

Because we're training to Paris after the Belgian Grand Prix, we wanted to rent our car from the train station instead of the airport. We're quite proud of ourselves as we successfully got ourselves from this airport to Brussels-Midi train station via the local trains, got our rental car, bought a SIM card and data for a phone, and then used the phone to navigate our drive to our hotel. Phew! Things that are so easy at home feel like major accomplishments abroad.

Our hotel, Les Ecrins, is in a great location in the St. Catherine area, and the staff person who let us in at 10am was lovely! He let us check in early and highlighted the major sites and a suggested walking route. He also suggested, as the seasoned traveler he was, to get in a few hours of walking and then come back for short nap. Done.

A few pictures from the day...stop 1: The Grand Palace (and plaza)








The famous, must-see, stamped on every cheesy tourist souvenir Mannaken Pis statue






And his little sister, Jeanneke Pis (it's a bit odd, eh?)


The Guildhalls...with beautiful macaroon displays in the sweets shops inside.

















A cool little park outside the Cathedral has some sweet chairs and a moose








The Cathedral with its amazing stained glass windows

















Parcel de Bruxelles was hosting a theater festival














Had a Belgian waffle and a Coke with my name on it





And of course, I loved the street art...official and unofficial

















Sampled Belgian Beer of course


Day 1: Check!