Brussels had finally allowed the sun to shine on my one and only day spent sightseeing in that Belgian capital. I wanted to eat something 'délicieux' for my 'Breakfast' and 'Dinner', clocking something equally 'lekker' for 'Lunch!' From 'waffles' to the world famous 'steak frites', I even made it to a very scientific looking point of interest! I was ready for a bite of Brussels! Oui, oui!
I wasn't playing, I needed a breakfast that would serve something 'Belgian' and 'sweet' on one plate! I had one day to fulfill those Belgium cravings because my time in that country would be up in less than 24 hours! Ironically, those previous mornings hadn't presented anything special for breakfast because I hadn't given myself the time! Waking up with the birds, I knew that a waffle would need to be had! I didn't know where to choose because a lot of the places screamed 'tourist trap!' After surfacing from the 'Metro', I was able to find a few hushed morning sights, it looked as if Brussels had enjoyed herself the previous night! I was feeling fresh with bags of energy, I just needed something to eat before I could properly start my day! Would things be like Paris? I knew that I was in a whole new country but those Francophone settings reminded me of Paris as I was greeted by the server at my 'Grasmarkt' location. Yes, the twinning 'Dutch' references also came into my view! Brussel/Bruxelles/Brussels knew what to do! Dapat Pakak!
After heading to 'Grand Place' early on, I found myself tucking into a delectable 'Belgian Waffle'. Known as a 'Gaufres de Bruxelles', I went for the banana and chocolate waffle with strawberries to boot! I ordered a coffee to go with my sweet breakfast choice, you know I needed that sugar rush to start my day properly! Now, I didn't have to look very far for that waffle place because it was just around the corner from 'Manneken Pis' and 'Grand Place', I made that 'one time' breakfast choice wisely! Yes, the waffle was huge for one person, well it was just right for me. The fruits balanced well with the chocolate, it was great to get a balance of healthy and not so healthy, I was still on holiday after all! I was the first patron in the place, getting that waffle and coffee served to me quickly was a whole mood! I enjoyed my sweet breakfast, it served an essence of America but I was most definitely in Continental Europe! Hyped up, I hit the streets after my 'Brussels' breakfast had been devoured! 'Dapat Pakak' is Tagalog for 'Don't F**k It Up!'
Getting my sights seen off, I wasted no time before 'lunchtime' rolled around! Replacing actual food for a 'scientific' icon had to be done, I wanted to visit B's own 'Atomium'. Now, I knew nothing about this 'atom' looking landmark other than it looked iconic! After taking several underground rail connections, I arrived at 'Heysel/Heizel on what felt like the outskirts of Brussels! It didn't take me long to find that shimmering Belgian landmark, it was quite literally shining in that summer sunlight! I didn't pay much attention to the backstory because frankly I wanted to keep things moving. Only now can I sit back and read those all important notes, I know now that the 'Atomium' was built as the centerpiece of the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58). I had not seen any skyscrapers nor towering buildings in Brussels but the 'Atomium' did seem much taller than those period feature buildings? Yes, that was right! Towering to 335 ft, this Belgian talking-point still stands as one of the city's tallest structures! Shine on, babes!
Back to the streets, I saw this visit to the Atomium as a mere buffer between morning and afternoon! I had just arrived from 'Bruxelles Central' with a few unplanned diversions, those transit lines up to the Atomium confused me! Now, the Atomium itself looked down over a hill that I decided to walk down because my next stop was already on my mind! I marveled at that 'Stainless Steel' structure with the view becoming clearer the further I made it down the hill. It was a truly European moment because I clocked number plates from a wide range of member state countries, not my own U.K! Need, I not mention the name of the road that gave me the best views of that icon, I walked down 'Boulevard du Centenaire'. That's 'Eeuwfeestlaan' in Dutch! I loved reading those French 'rue' names because it was another culture trip for me, I was easily impressed in Brussels! I didn't have time to walk back up to 'Heysel/Heizel' because I look the tram from 'Saint Lambert!' Lunch was a stainless steel viewpoint, I didn't need anything else!
My manic day of sightseeing in Brussels had left me hungry for a good 'dinner!' Getting off the metro at 'De Brouckère' allowed me to see those Belgian flags flying along that pedestrian street told me that Belgian's National Day was fast approaching! I already knew that I wanted some 'Steak Frites' but needed to be careful with my choosing because much like those waffles, many places looked quite 'touristy'. I found one place online, it was conveniently located near from my hotel and the price looked right! Sure, money is usually no object when I've traveled throughout most of South East Asia but Europe done the best to drain my finances! Ordering my steak with chips, I made sure there was a little bit of sauce to pour all over my juicy well done steak! The chips weren't fresh, that was my only concern for thirty seconds because once drenched in the sauce, I didn't care! The beer literally disappeared, I was very thirsty indeed! It was great to say that I had found two standard Belgian/Francophone dishes during my whirlwind day! Done?
Yes, I was able to close the foodie chapter at the end of that day! Hold up, there's more! I was being hasty! Oh, my steakhouse gave 'tourist' but I wasn't mad because I ate earlier on before any other visiting diners were able to frequent that place. Taste? Yes, my steak was cooked right and tasted nice, it wasn't a strong taste with the sauce on top, it was flavoursome still. I can't even remember what type of beer it was, all I know is that I needed a drink after running around Brussels for the whole day! Having only one day, I needed to ensure that my foodie choices would prosper, no second hand chances there would be! No! Brussels served taste, I was impressed because those famous choices were found easily, both were located in central areas. Sure, the Atomium filled those lunchtime cravings before steak came into my life, that was true! I already want another waffle but in China! Where would I get one as good? With England on the cards, I knew that a cheeky 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner' would sure need to serve up 'London!'
London Is Calling!
Desperately Seeking Adventure