A Breakthrough

I hit my Brussels stride today. Phew, I was worried there for a bit, but now I feel like I can call this place home for the next month.

Our day started pretty late, because it wouldn't stop pouring. But by about 2pm, the skies had cleared, the kids had had lunch, and we were ready to begin our exploration.

** it started earlier for Phil, who had to rush to the train station this morning, but we said "bye" to him in our pj's.

Our destination was the Parc de Bruxelles, which seems to be the closest park to our place. We turned north at the corner of our street and headed up rue d'Ixelles, which is one of the major streets in our neighborhood. I'd only walked up a few blocks on the first day, and didn't see anything except junky stores and buildings under renovation. But today I discovered that if you walk just a few more blocks, Hallelujia! You get shopping paradise! H&M! Body Shop! Levi's! Cute boutiques! Book stores!

I will be having a lot of fun visiting the shops while we are here.

A couple minutes later and we crossed a very major intersection, and could see the Parc de Bruxelles in our sights. But in front of it was a spectacular building, the front swarming with people and tour buses pulled up front. I looked on my map -- it was the Palais Royal! The Royal Palace, where the King of Belgium conducts his affairs:

That was a nice surprise. And then into the park. It is grand and majestic, with fountains and statues and immense trees. Do my kids marvel at the artwork or admire the design? No, they plunk themselves on the ground and start making a concoction of dirt and water from the fountain. Thankfully, nobody seemed to mind their lack of awe. They have been desperate for real play time.

We found a playground -- another miracle moment -- and then visited the cafe for a snack: belgian waffles and ice cream:

The rain picked up again and we headed home, stopping at the local grocery store first. We lost Indira somewhere along the way, so in the store, she and her hijacked stroller became our grocery cart.

Once home, I put the kids to work making tonight's salad.

It's been a great day, and I am definitely feeling more at home in Brussels. The perfect end to the day would be a hot shower before bed. But the odds of getting anything more than tepid water are a bit of a craps shoot here, so I won't push my luck for today.