Manneken Pis

At the bier sampling...
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The outskirts of Brussels were at first a little dodgy, however as we traveled into the city center the historic Nouveau buildings really changed our minds about what this city had to offer. We entered the town square, known as La Grand Place, as a group passing local shops selling the famous Belgian dish; mussels and frites. However, my eye was caught by the chocolates AND Belgian waffles- this will be bad news. Our tour guide leads us to Manneken Pis where he explains the story behind the statue of the two year old lord and how nowadays people try to kidnap the statue and decorate it on a regular basis. Of course this was another photo opportunity that we all took advantage of.

Manneken Pis himself...
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Our tourguide next introduced us to the glory that was Belgian bier... and that Brussels had many bier sampling opportunities. A group of us went into the pub directly across from the Manneken and sampled biers that tasted more like soda or other delicious beverages. The bartender explained to us that Belgium takes a lot of pride in their bier and their chocolates and that both were only served if deemed perfect, so of course we got a sampler. The samplers consisted of six mini-mugs, each with a different flavor from the darkest bier I've ever tasted to a cherry brew that tasted like a jolly rancher.. all delicious and way more alcoholic than beers in America. I was quite tipsy after what would probably add up to only a little over a normal glass.

Glorious Desserts

Us with waffles and the bag of chocolates that I will carry forever...
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My tipsiness convinced me that I should buy Belgian chocolates to take home for my family- of which I did and carried throughout all of Europe... I also decided I should eat a Belgian waffle covered in chocolate, strawberries and whip cream- a spectacular midafternoon treat.

Now back to the bus...