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Reaching the outskirts of Brussels, our coach driver diverted a bit to show us the Atomium. Built for Expo ’58, it was intended to last six months. However, like the Eiffel Tower, it became too popular to tear down; this year it celebrates its 50th birthday! Meant to represent a greatly magnified iron molecule, it has become a symbol of Brussels. During renovation a few years back, its aluminum skin was replaced with stainless steel, giving it a shiny, new appearance:
We reached our hotel, just one block from the central square of Brussels, but not without difficulty. Ours was the last coach to arrive. The first two had already tied rush hour traffic through the narrow streets into knots. Our coach simply could not take the driver’s intended left turn to the hotel even after a lengthy wait. So, we disembarked and walked a few blocks through the drizzle to our warm and welcoming hotel.
This was Farewell Dinner night as, on the following day, we would all go our separate ways. Hard to imagine anyone sorry to see the experience end, well-run and comfortable as it had been. It’s always a bit sad to say goodbye to congenial fellow travelers. As they say, all good things on this earth eventually come to an end. (So do bad things, come to think of it.) Since we were bound for Yorkshire, our only nonstop choice was an evening flight. Consequently, we had ample time next day to explore the historic part of Brussels.
Blessed with fine weather, our solo wanderings began in Le Grand Place. This spacious, central square is easily found from a distance by simply heading toward the tall spire of town hall:
Le Grand Place, Brussels’ biggest draw, is very entertaining with its architecturally delightful buildings, people watching, flower markets, festivals, concerts, sound-and-light shows and many other events.
The next two photos show the buildings to the left and right of the town hall. Those on the left are being renovated; hence, painted screens have been hung to hide the work. The tightly packed group on the right are elaborately decorated Guild Houses:
Opposite the town hall is “The King’s House” though no king has ever lived here:
It is basically a museum, displaying --- among other things --- the extensive costume collection of the famous Manneken Pis, located a few blocks away.
Naturally, we had to take a look at this irreverent little squirt:
The Manneken has cases full of costumes sent from all over the world but this was, obviously, an “off day.”
To convey some idea of its size, here’s a shot with people watching the action:
There are many legends “explaining” the story behind this mascot of Brussels but, we think, no one knows the truth.
Not 20 feet away from the Manneken is a waffle shop, one of a multitude for which Brussels is famed. How does one choose? They all look appetizing:
Similarly close to Le Grand Place is the Galeries St. Hubert, developed as a shopping gallery in the 18th century with apartments on two floors above the shops:
A little farther away, the Cathedral of St. Gudule and St. Michael provides a remarkable number of benches out front:
This recliner won Patty’s approval for a short rest:
The Old England building, crafted in an 1899 Art Nouveau style, is now a Musical Instruments Museum:
Strolling back toward our hotel ...
we passed through what must be close to heaven for many a European --- a sunny Sunday afternoon with friends, cold beer and music. (The street musicians are in the foreground, an accordionist and an orange-bedecked violinist.) Guided by that big pointer in the sky, we soon found ourselves back in familiar surroundings.
In late afternoon, Tauck provided the taxi and we were off to the airport again. Though we had had an opportunity to see much of the historic center of Brussels, as with any short visit to a big city, we left a lot unexplored. This is, after all, the capital of Belgium and the “capital” of Europe, home to the EU as well as to NATO.