Brussels

The drive from France to Brussels (local name: Bruxelles) took 4 hours. It was 24 degrees and extremely pleasant there. A jeans and T-shirt would be comfortable, though a light sweater would not go amiss. The city is the headquarters of the European Union and is a very quiet place, you would not see many people on the streets due to the low population.

The roads are neat and well-maintained and lined with manicured trees. A little traffic ensues due to the narrow roads and single-line vehicle movement, though people seem content to drive slowly (unlike Italy with its constant lane-cutting!). Parallel to roads are tram lines and a long line of parked cars (I kept wondering where their owners were!). Buildings are very pretty and colorful, and it is an absolute pleasure to drive in the beautiful city roads, especially the inner lanes.

Roads of Brussels

Inner lanes of Brussels

In the afternoon, we got off at a garden near the Cathedral St. Michael, built in the gothic style, and walked to the La Grand Place, a marketplace in the olden days and a very large square. The garden had people relaxing and lying down on benches. You have to walk to the square if you want to see it as cars are not allowed there. Gypsies were playing music on the cobbled streets. The square was full of tourists and travel groups, while locals sat at the pretty road-side restaurants and cafes. The square is an absolutely lovely place with the beautiful building of the Town Hall.

Cathedral St. Michael

Old city

Gypsy musicians!

La Grand Place

The Manneken Pis statue is a 10 minute walk from the square. It is a replica, as the original was taken by France. The little boy is dressed in fancy uniforms from time to time. It is a symbol of bravery and defiance for the Belgians as the country was invaded several times over the centuries and often troubled by soldiers. In those times, a small boy came out in front of the soldiers and performed this act of defiance, making him a hero for the people of the country.

Manneken Pis

The walk to the statue is very enjoyable. There are hotels, shops selling clothes, lace and more importantly, chocolates and waffles! Belgian chocolates and waffles are amazing, so buy them - or else, repent forever! You do get great offers.

Streets near the Manneken Pis

We drove next to the Atomium, a meeting and conference centre in the shape of an iron molecule. It has 9 atoms, which are spheres enclosing meeting rooms and connected by rods, which enclose escalators to go from one sphere to another. The top-most sphere gives a panoramic view of the city. In the evening, we drove to our hotel in Netherlands.

Atomium