We took our time getting up this morning and we all had a hardy breakfast. Unfortunately, Alan noticed that he had forgotten some important medicine and would have to head back home today instead of tomorrow. Reluctantly, we bid him farewell and safe journey!

Dan and I decided that we would head into Brussels central area to explore on foot today. We were going to take the train as the station is only a 5 minute walk, but got hung up on trying to buy our tickets. We thought, what the heck, we would drive into town instead. As luck would have it, we found a parking garage with recharging in it, so we parked and recharged while we toured the central core.

With the car parked, we headed out an dforest landed on a beautiful square with this very interesting street running off it.

Our first stop was the Grand-Place. This stunning cobblestone central square is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. And what a site it is!

As we were driving into Brussels this morning we were listening to a podcast about Brussels, and the guide proudly declared he was a member of the Ordre Des Ami’s de Manneken Pis. Apparently this order gathers and organizes different costumes for this little boy to wear. Today we were in luck as notables were all in attendance at clearly a celebration of a “New Outfit”. They were all done up in their finest regalia and had a band playing for over 30 minutes. Quite the show! There are 23 different dressings planned on fixed dates. The total wardrobe now consists of over 1200 costumes! Today’s ceremony was hosted by Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.

“ the 12,10th costume presented today represents Jean-Baptiste Houwaert.

He was a prominent 16th century humanist writer, and playwright who wrote primarily in Dutch. The costume choice is a deliberate historical nod from the municipality, as Saint-Josse-ten-Noode is built on the historic land where Houwaert originally owned a grand estate.”

Our next stop was a beautiful shopping gallery, but first a short stop back on the Grand Place for a snack and a coffee for me, and a beer for Dan.

We sat outside enjoying the gorgeous day ( high of 27C here today) and watched the world pass by. We then struck up a conversation with two young people beside us who were from Calgary. They were just starting out on their lives’ journeys together and we shared some of ours with them. They were so very sweet. When Dan went to pay, he discovered that the young man (Jarek) had picked up our tab as well. We have certainly been blessed over the last couple of days!

Our next stop was the Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert. This is one of the oldest glass canopied shopping arcades in Europe, filled with luxury chocolate shops, traditional cafe’s and elegant window displays.

Our next stop was the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula. This is the main Brabantine Gothic church in Brussels and the national church of Belgium. The original site was developed as a church as early as the 9th century expanding to a Romanesque church in 1047, and then the gothic church was begun in 1226, taking 300 years to complete. This is the official church where Belgium holds royal weddings, christenings and state funerals.

As we started to walk around, a vocal quartet started to practice for an upcoming performance. It was heavenly with the incredible acoustics this space offered.

From here, we headed to a high point in central Brussels, the Mont Des Arts. This elevated public garden complex offered incredible views over the city as well as looking back across the gardens.

Before we arrived there, we needed to make a pit stop and as we were walking beside the Centre Station in Brussels, we stopped in to use the loo. Like many washrooms in Europe, you need to pay before entry. Our 1.20 euros bought us not only a sparkling clean and private facility, they also piped in bird and forest sounds to create a very peaceful aura. A+++ for the washrooms here!

It was time to head back to our car and drive back to Waterloo. But before we hit the road, we had a little Ice Cream stop where we sat in a small Central Park and listened to buskers, and watched the world go by.

It was time to unplug the car and head back to our B and B for a little rest before supper. The drive going into and out of Brussels was interesting. Between the old city streets and the embassies on the grand avenues, there was always lots to look at.

A beautiful city all in all, and then we drive through this!

We finally made it back to our apartment in Waterloo, ready for a little rest before supper. We’ve decided to be boring and go back to support Ciao Pizza, where we had such a lovely experience last night! We will certainly update you!

Tomorrow our plans are to check out here and head back into the centre of Brussels for our last day. We have booked a foodie walking tour with a group that calls themselves, “No Diet Club”. I’m looking forward to telling you all about this adventure and our discoveries tomorrow! Until then!