Brussels

 I took another USO tour to the city of Brussels or Bruxelles which is in Belgium to see the flower carpet which is held in the Grand Place. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the flower carpeting, with the first one created in 1971 and has happen every two years since 1968.  It takes more than 100 volunteers to put together the carpet in less than four hours. The Flower carpet is 75m long by 24 m wide and has around 600,00 flowers. The carpet is make up of begonias. Belgium is the world’s largest producer of begonias; 60 m million bulbs a year. This year’s carpet is in a Japanese designed to celebrate 150 years of Belgo-Japanese friendship. This only happen for one weekend in August, every 2 years.

We had an early morning departure, making a breakfast stop in Luxembourg, adding another country to my list. We arrived in Brussels around lunch time and took a walking city tour.  While on the walking tour, we saw some sites such as the train station, shopping galleries, comic strip murals and the Manneken Pis.  The Manneken Pis is a landmark small bronze sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into fountain basin. At different times he is dressed and has over 914 costumes. We came upon a book store which used to be a concert hall and then saw part of the old city dating back to 1238 which was found while repaving the roads 15 years ago. It is neat how history is literally right under your feet! 

From there we had free time until we had to meet back for our balcony view of the carpet.  I took in some sights of the flower carpet from the ground. During the free time, I walked around and saw a couple of churches. I was able to go inside both. First was the Notre Dame de Sablon or Church of our Blessed Lady of the Salon. It is a 15 century church located in Sablon district of Brussels and is known for its baroque chapels and Gothic architecture. After viewing the inside of the church we walked across the street and enjoyed the views of Square du Petit Sablon. It was nice place to take a rest on the bench and enjoyed the fountain and surrounding flowers. From there, I walked to the Cathedral St. Nicholas and St. Gudula which is a Roman Catholic church in the old city of Brussels. I arrived right before 4:00 mass, so I got to hear the pipe organ play. With all the churches I am seeing, that was something I wanted to do. 

 From there, I walked to the Cathedral St. Nicholas and St. Gudula which is a Roman Catholic church in the old city of Brussels. I arrived right before 4:00 mass, so I got to hear the pipe organ play. With all the churches I am seeing, that was something I wanted to do. ​

Then we had to chance to view the flower carpet from the city hall balcony. On the to the baalcony we saw parts of the city hall and then had a chance to have a birds eye view of the carpet, I wasn’t disappointed!
 
After that we still have a little a more free time, so I had me a Belgium waffle with strawberries and whip cream. I was awesome!! The place I got it from, also sells churros which look like onion rings, I should have tired them. I was strong and didn’t buy any Belgium chocolate. I did go into a grocery store and pick up some treats and a bottle of wine to try from Spain.
​
 I arrived home early Sunday morning and had to opportunity to add 2 more countries to my list! I am up to 10 now!