Brussels: Bryna, Waffles, Beer, Frites, Chocolate.

7 February 2013 

Last Thursday I went to Brussels for the night. I scheduled a flight to Berlin that had a 17 hour layover in Brussels so I could see Bryna who is a friend I met through Abbie last time I was studying abroad and also see Brussels again. I wont lie… the order of importance concerning that trip was… 1. Bryna, 2. Waffle, 3. Brussels. So Bryna picks me up from the airport and drops me off at her apartment. I was tired so I took my sweet time getting ready while she went back to work. (She is an accountant for Deloitte and probably one of the most brilliant people I know; she also happens to be a damn good time so it’s always fun to see her – We’re going to plan a trip or two together).

We meet when she gets off work at a Starbucks near the in the Central Station (How American of us – it’s easy to recognize in our defense).... When she was describing it to me she told me to take the train to “Garrison Trahl” – which is how I interpreted her French accent. I get to the metro alone and think – what the hell there is no Garrison Trahl on here and about two seconds later I see “Gare Central”. I obviously know zero french. I meet her friend Charles who is absolutely fabulous… and we set off for dinner. We go to some typical Belgium place which was GREAT. I got some type of dumplings dish with great sauce and mushrooms and of course French fries or “Frites” as they say in Belgium. For anyone who doesn’t know Belgium is famous for its frites, waffles, beer, and chocolate. I had all of which while I was there… in about a 4 hours time frame.

Typical Belgium - Waffle Shop

Typical Belgium - Frites Shop

random painted wall about AIDS etc... near the Gran Plaz. 

A typical outside seating area around the Grand Plaza. I have been to Brussels three times but the weather was pretty crappy all three times to I still have yet to even want to sit outside a cafe/bar like this. I imagine when the weather is better it'd be pretty enjoyable though.

One of the buildings in the Gran Plaz

After dinner we go to Delirium – a very famous bar in Brussels. I had some type of cherry beer then a Chimay blonde – both of which were great. There was a band playing – or at least setting up when we got there. After about 2 hours the band was finally ready and it was the most eclectic looking band I’d ever seen. A man with long silver white hair halfway down his back who looked to be about 60. A 40 ish year old Latin man who had his hair slicked back very tight into a ponytail. And a 20 something year old very nicely dressed boy. Despite some strange renditions of popular 80’s songs they were really good. I think even more than we enjoyed the band though we enjoyed our own performances and renditions of fan favorites in the back of the bar. I think the random foreigners around us would agree that was more entertaining as well.

Bryna and I at Delirium!

We didn’t get home til about 3:30 and I had to be at the airport at 5 for a 6 am flight. That – my friends, was no fun - BUT I made it to Berlin safe, sound, and in time to leave with the rest of the group. That blog post to come soon.