Eurotrip 2014: Bruges, Belgium

When I was staying in Brussels, I took a day trip to the nearby city of Bruges, which is about an hour away by train.

Bruges was an important trading city during the Middle Ages, but it was abandoned around the start of the 20th century. Because of this, it just feels like an old town, everywhere. Also, Bruges is the home of some beautiful canals and has earned the nickname, "Venice of the North."

Left: old streets. Right: Belfry tower - 366 steps to the top. The climbing wasn't too bad, but there was only one narrow staircase for everyone to use (both up and down). This meant that sometimes I found myself plastered to the wall as I tried to let people through from another direction. Also, the tower had a 70 person limit, you know, to prevent the entire thing from collapsing and ruining tourism in Bruges ^^

How the bell tower plays music. Check out those pulleys and levers. 

Left: I made it to the top and saw the arrangement of various sized musical bells. Right: one very expensive glass of fresh squeeze orange juice. 

This dog is known as the "most photographed dog in Bruges." Maybe in Belgium even? I don't recall. Anyway, it's this delightful adorable lab who chills outside a window everyday. Too cute.

Eurotrip 2014: Brussels, Belgium

Belgium: still French speaking, but much more laid back than the French. A tiny country full of old school charm. It's amazing that Brussels was only 2 hours away from Paris by train, yet the differences were astounding.

Left: ridiculous baguette sandwich with amazing frites. Right: gorgeous stone tiles after the rain. 

Here's Manneken-Pis, a famous statue/fountain of a little peeing boy. A little crude, yeah, but he gets tons of visitors because he's so strange. He's usually naked, but when I walked by him twice in one day, he had two different outfits on! Check out that World Cup spirit. 

Grand Place.

Belgians take a lot of pride in their comics (Tintin and the Smurfs both originated from there). You can find a lot of interesting comic strip murals like the ones shown here, if you know where to look.  

More World Cup spirit! Sadly they lost... 

I love the fact that frites are such a big part of the culture that they're featured in the "No Food" signs.

During my second day in Brussels I decided to visit a military technology museum because it was cheap and would give me something to do. Little did I know it would turn out to be one of the scariest museums I've ever visited. Dead skeletons in the ground, dimly lit exhibits with skulls and mummified bodies, as well as creepy figurines. It did not help that I was usually alone in these dark corridors. *shudder*

Oh hello sir!

Too creepy ugh.

But this was cuter and prettier :D

Belgian waffles. A must.

This man has the most perfect fancy mustache ever.