Brussels, Belgium

by wrensrambles@gmail.com

A whiff of waffle!

May 2015

With that first smell of sweet waffles,

cooking on the street corners,

I knew I was back!

I have lived in Belgium twice.
All of a sudden it seems a lifetime ago, indeed nearly 20 years,
since our son was born here.
So many fond memories and lasting friendships formed in the school playgrounds…

Brussels is a fabulous city to live and also to visit.

It’s small enough, to enjoy the major visitor attractions in a big weekend; Grand Place, Manneken Pis, Royal Palace, Parlamentarium etc. Add in a few museums, some art galleries and enjoy a beer or kir royale, whilst chomping through some pomme frites with mayonnaise, or how about a fresh crusty baguette with gorgeous cheese from an outdoor market? And before you know it, you’re sad you’re leaving, but have had a cracking time.

I am here to wander

and enjoy wrapping myself in the familiarity of my old Belgium life…

Sharing a sundowner drink in a pretty square with old friends,

or wandering through Parc Leopold, laughing and reminiscing.

It is fun to be back in this city of contrasts,
the ultra new…

To the seriously old…

Well by Aussie standards
Living in Australia we don’t have the buildings with this heritage.
Brussels is wow overload!

If you love culture and architecture, then you will love Brussels.
At every turn, there seems to be something interesting…

Even if it is the barbed wire security fencing which is piled up
ready for use around the European Parliament

The mega cute buildings, standing proud, wrought iron balconies
and the brightly coloured geraniums in window boxes, like we once had!

Being in the Capital of Europe everything seems to be on such a grand scale
However now living in Melbourne, four times as populated,
Brussels seems small!

I love the visit to the European Parliament. The interactive Parlamentarium museum tells the history of the European Union. It is well done.
As I visit David Cameron is in Riga, Latvia
attending a EU Summit and asking for reforms before the future
British in/out referendum
on Britain’s EU Membership in 2017

We enjoyed the Chagall exhibition at the Museum des Beaux-Arts.
Chagall is fascinating painter,
each painting full of symbolism and hidden meaning.

I hope you have enjoyed a little wander with me in Brussels
Tomorrow join me as I visit fellow Blogger, Gattina to visit Waterloo!

Have a lovely weekend.