Brussels, Belgium

"A traveler sees what he sees, while a tourist sees what he comes to see."
     -Wendy Law Suart
CreveCoeur's reflections after several hours walking around Brussels City Center   

Brussels in January was around 50 degrees, dreary,  overcast and breezy.  famous for their Warm, Sugary Belgium waffles, Chocolates, and Mussels.  First thing Creve noticed is most of the people (Diverse population of ethnic backgrounds) walk very fast wherever they are going.  Very refreshing after living in Miami where everyone meanders around at turtle pace like they are on 'Cuban Time'  Challenging for poor Creve to get decent cardio walking around Lincoln road or Ocean Drive.  In Brussels, even with the cobblestones, these people move.  Don't believe its just the chilly weather either...  Suspect it may have to do with the Sugary indulgences/vices.  Most people are eating those Belgium Waffles, chocolate or smoking!  They are all walking around with an insulin spike.  Hate to see what the diabetes rate is there.  And all the smokers; Creve must of had a packs worth of second hand smoke throughout that afternoon.  Oh, and the cartons of Cigarettes all have big stickers over half the packaging that say offensive things in bold Black lettering like: "SMOKING KILLS"  "SMOKING CLOGS ARTERIES" "SMOKERS DIE YOUNG"

Another big difference from Miami is the beggars (Mostly female Muslim ladies, but a few little girls) all kneel in in front of a tiny cup and look down at the sidewalk all sad and pathetic, where as Miami the homeless & beggers can be lot more obnoxious and 'in your face' or try to 'buddy up' and shake hands/small talk.  Another CreveCoeur observation was that they hang Santa Clauses from roofs or on the sides of the buildings...  At first Creve thought this might be like some political statement about the 'evil' & commercial USA and the Sadam Hanging, but after noticing it repeatedly it must be some Belgium tradition where Santa scales the wall to deliver the presents instead of going down the chimney from the roof. 

Also Creve thought it was interesting that most of the girls wear boots.  Pretty sexy, and you don't see them near enough in South Beach.

OMG, speaking of girls...(Editor note: Long story)  There are like hardly any restrooms (Water Closets over there) anywhere in City Centre, at least that Creve was able to find!!!  Drank couple cups coffee/Cans soda in hotel for some energy after short hour nap after nightlong flight and work, to have little energy to go explore city (Walked 9.5+ miles that afternoon)  It was a very unpleasant experience after few hours and a serious abdominal/prostate workout :(  Creve's workers were willing to block some of the publics view (tons of people everywhere) but Creve suffered so as not to cause a political incident and jeopardize future trips.  Let me tell you, Never hurt so bad and got desperate and started going in these little hotels in crappy area we walking through and they kept accosting Creve and telling him Water Closets were only in hotel rooms.  This leads to another Surprising observation: There where NO Starbucks or Subway Sandwich shops!  As cold and dreary as that city was you would think Coffee would be huge, but whole afternoon only saw 3 small coffee places.  By god there was a Belgium Waffle stand/store and chocolate shop on every block though.  No restrooms in those however. 

Finally a couple blocks ahead Creve saw a Tavern sign (Only saw couple taverns as well- they are big on smoking, but apparently not on taverns/pubs)  Well Creve's vision was Blurry (Probably from floating eyes) and he was nauseous &  irritable.  He sped up past coworkers cause he knew he only had one pair of pants and couldn't risk an exploding bladder in them.  The pee was coming out in minutes no matter how defined Creve's Abs were and as he burst into the tavern and the patrons turn to gawk at  the frantic, tan American hurry to the door with the "WC" on it.  It was down these stairs and there were like 5 little rooms, all with full doors to the floor and 2 urinals against one wall beside the sink.  Well without going into explicit details it was the best feeling Creve has felt in ages and while standing at the urinal for at least two minutes Creve started hearing girl-like sounds in one of those little rooms in this dank basement Water Closet.  This is were he gets back to the girls in Brussels and boots segway up above :) With a still half full  bladder relieving itself, this drunk girl (in boots) stumbles out of a little room (A Toilet stall- Light Bulb flickers in Creve's head)  and walks over to the sink next to Creve's urinal!  First fearful thought was WC stood for Woman's Closet, But what the heck would urinals be doing in there...Is Creve peeing in some strange Belgium sink...!?

It must have been like a unisex bathroom because she smiled at Creve and said "Bon Jour" and started mumbling French small talk while washing her hands a few feet from a stunned CreveCoeur who was in the middle of one of natures most natural acts- Hey, there were not even those little urinal dividers for a bit of privacy.  Well by the time Creve's bladder emptied and he regained his composure, her boots had done walked out of the Water Closet and Creve never found out if she spoke English; But Creve made a mental note that Unisex bathrooms would be a great place to pick up girls.  Had good story to tell coworkers waiting outside.

Get this! There were 2 McDonalds we discovered later( Tried a Tuna Salad[208 Calories] no Asian Grilled Chicken Salads in Belgium) on this busy street and another full bladder Creve found out McD's over there charge .30 cents (In Euro) to use the restroom!  They have little ladies that sit at a small table with sign to put the .30 cents in the collection tray...

Note: Belgium toilets have some serious flushing power- Creve was impressed.  Much better than Americas weak toilettes. 

Belgium is a nice (would be nicer in sunny, warmer weather) walking city to enjoy the medieval architecture and girls in boots and Creve hears its the city of 100 museums as well.

    The Famous Mannekin Pis( Like the Belgium national symbol)        

They have these CycloCity Bike rental station all over the City Center- but Creve never saw any being used 

Grand Plaza:                

Around town:        

One of those Ricola Horns in Middle of Street: