BRUSSELS
Report on a trip to the capital of Europe
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If you type in "The most beautiful square in Europe" in Google, you will see a picture of the Grand Place. This is the market square of Brussels. Therefore, having arrived in the capital of Belgium late in the evening, we confidently headed there to immediately see all this beauty.
We settled in the so-called Turkish quarter of Brussels, not far from the Botanik metro station, and walking at a leisurely pace, we reached the Grand Place in 20-25 minutes. Passing by the Belgian National Bank, they photographed a monument to the Container, which was installed here on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the container transport format.
After walking around the Grand Place, we got hungry enough, but the cost of the dishes offered by the local cafes frightened us off. As a result, we found Kebab, which fed at a reasonable price, and at the same time, was less than a hundred meters from our next target - "Manneken Pis". So we had dinner.
It is not even worth repeating many other people's negative impressions about "Mannequin Peace".
A tiny sculpture on the corner of the block is only needed to put a "tick" in your travel map.
- Have you seen Manneken Pis?
- Yes I saw.
(Prolonged pause as there is nothing to discuss).
Tired, but well-fed and satisfied, we returned to the hotel. On the way, we came across a shop where the girl was choosing something late at night. Probably, some essential goods were needed, so I jumped out to the night shop ;-)
In the morning we were greeted by wonderful sunny weather. And even if it was already cool enough, the bright sun brightened our walks around the city. We went to the European Quarter of Brussels, where dozens of various European organizations are concentrated: the European Parliament, consulates, European trade unions, all kinds of European commissions.
There we came across a huge number of different art objects.
Certain sections of Rue Louis very accurately reflect the phrase "Stone Jungle". See the rest benches surrounded by asphalt-glass-concrete.
Having passed some of the skyscrapers, we saw in the distance the real Arc de Triomphe. Putting off the visit to the European Parliament until later, we went to meet the beautiful quadriga of horses, which was visible above the central span of the arch.
The road led us to the beautiful Fiftieth Anniversary park. About 150 years ago, this park was used as a military training ground, then for the exhibition in 1880, pathetic buildings were set up here, which should symbolize the success and prosperity of Belgium, after which this place became one of the favorite among the inhabitants of Brussels. The park greeted us with classic views of the "Golden Autumn".
The sculptures at the entrance were not alien to a certain eroticism ;-)
A huge flag of Belgium is hung in the central opening of the arch. So that the wind does not frivolously dangle it, the flag is held by special cables. Well, and about the fact that the name of the four horses is "quadriga", you have already read a little higher 😂😂😂
There is a fountain and three museums behind the arch. Auto Museum, History Museum, and Royal Belgian Army Museum. Near the latter are various mortars and cannons. They look very impressive. And in general, Brussels is quite fond of monuments (one container, which is worth), and monuments dedicated to military events, so very, very much.
After walking in this park, we went back to the European Parliament. The fact that this place in Europe is very guarded, we were reminded by rangers in full gear with machine guns, which in pairs walked along some streets of the perimeter of the European Quarter.
And now we are in Leopold Park, which adorns the complex of buildings of the European Parliament.
Leopold Park is a beautiful multi-colored trees, neat lawns, and birds walking freely along the paths of the park - Europe, as it should look like.
But it was time for us to pay an official visit to the European Parliament building, as we knew that all citizens were allowed to visit this outpost of Democracy. To begin with, we looked into the Parliamentarium, something like a museum shop, where you can walk along a corridor in which all European languages are spoken, learn about the historical milestones of the EU, buy souvenirs with EU symbols, drinking coffee in a warm European atmosphere. Well, then, we go to the famous circular entrance, where various thematic videos are shown on the inside of the ring.
And here we are inside the complex. In the photo below, you can see a white machine that came to wash the girl with Euro in hand (Monument to the United Currency). Passing the flags of the participating countries, we boldly went to the entrance to the semicircular building to walk the corridors of the European Parliament. But we were in for a fiasco, because in Belgium there were, as the security guard said, "a long weekend" when people were closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. And on such weekends, the European Parliament is closed to the public. And don't tell me later that the "hangover" day off on Monday after the holidays is a purely Ukrainian tradition.
I had to confine myself to a walk in the courtyard. Take pictures of buildings and pieces of the Berlin Wall, several of which stand there.
We were surprised by the key sculptural composition that we discovered in this courtyard: many ostriches, buried their heads in the sand, stand on the lawn in front of the entrance. Apparently the sculptor, as it were, directly hints to the MEPs about their behavior. In fairness, I must say that ostriches with their heads held high are also present there.
After the European Quarter, we went to "Brussels". This is the name of the park near the palace of the Belgian Kings.
The palace itself looks austere and beautiful. The bushes are trimmed geometrically even, despite the fact that the Royal Family themselves use it only for official holidays and rituals.
And then we found ourselves in one of the most beautiful places in Brussels. This is a small park of Mont Des Ar. There is a bright carpet of plants and many sculptures.
It is a great pleasure to walk in Mont des Are.
To the right of the flowery "carpet" there is a beautiful clock with figures, and to the left, on the steps and handrails, local guys are vigorously doing parkour. 😊
The next must-see point is the Agora square. It is here that the very famous Belgian waffles are sold. The truth and the density of tourists here is colossal.
Looking at the "horse price tags" of Brussels cafes, we were led to the advertisement "Waffle + coffee for 3 euros". This is a mistake that should not be repeated. With a small cup of espresso, you just get a waffle drizzled with chocolate sauce. But after all, we wanted to taste those famous waffles, which we saw in tourist programs, to be decorated with all kinds of berries, fruits, cream in the end 😉
I had to make a second run. This time I chose what I like. What I can safely call "My Precious", namely, a "mountain" of strawberries, filled with cream. 😍
The story about Brussels turns out to be one of the largest so far on the blog, so we start to accelerate. While in the capital of Belgium try "KWAK" - a strong beer (8.1% !!!) with a fruity aroma, sold in small bottles. And of course, visit the Brussels Cathedral, which outwardly can be called the "brother" of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Well, for those who have read to here, a special bonus: "Red Light District".
In the evening, for some reason, we could not sit at the hotel, and we decided to explore the hottest place in Brussels. Our way to the North Station, near which the "Quarter" is located, lay along Prairie Street. At the intersection of Prairie and Plant Streets, literally one block from the famous Aersho Street, where the "priestesses of love" work, we regretted a little that we had come here.
On Plant Street, here and there were groups of dark-skinned guys, in circles of 7-10 people. Those who remember the clips of rappers from the nineties can imagine it. We walked past them at a quick step, holding hands, and walked towards the North Station, but one "flock" of such aborigines followed us. We turned onto Aersho Street, but instead of looking at the girls in the pink windows, we were busy trying to dodge the "fun" play of these few local guys. They walked literally two steps behind us, and laughing loudly, they began to push each other, trying to make sure that the one who was pushed crashed into one of us in the back. We dodged, completely forgetting about our research task, which brought us here.
Accompanied by such fellow travelers, we reached Katresht Street and turned to the right. The pursuers unhooked, and we, having walked several tens of meters, found ourselves in the very Arab quarter, without having time to take a single spicy photo. We happily walked along the shops and stalls in a relaxed way, watching the Muslim housewives choose their clothes and goodies. The main thing is that we felt safe.
The first thought that came after walking around the Red Light District was that they would not sell their girls like that ... Although, perhaps the pimps simply disperse from this street everyone in whom they do not see potential buyers. The feeling of a criminal atmosphere is what distinguishes Brussels' Red Light District from Amsterdam , where everything is fun, kindly, with musicians playing on bridges. But if you want to experience such adrenaline adventures, then we attach a map of the location of the Brussels "hotbed of debauchery".
We hope you enjoyed our adventures in Brussels. And we,
leaving for Bruges, we promote our motto:
"Be sure to travel!"
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