Belgium

Who loves waffles?

It was months after I finally satisfied my craving to eat an authentic Belgian waffle, of course, it must be in Belgium.  My intention of traveling to Belgium was not just to see the country but to see how it feels to eat a Belgian waffle in Belgium. Kidding aside, obviously, I love waffles. The delicious smell makes you crave for it. Perfect with a coffee.

You would see everything waffles and chocolates in every corner of the streets. For the record, Belgium is the world's number one exporter of chocolates, and the shops in the international airport in Brussels are said to sell the most chocolate in the world. That's pretty impressive.

The first thing I did on my first day was to satisfy my craving for a waffle. I couldn't decide where to eat, as all restaurants display waffles with different flavors. Oh, they all look yummy. I also couldn't decide the flavor because they are all appetizing.  Stores make the waffles at an open counter so people can watch. The chocolaty smell and fresh aroma of waffles make you hungry.  Can you guess how much I ate?

A famous landmark in the heart of Brussels is called "Manneken Pis." It is a small bronze fountain sculpture, a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. Because it's famous, you would think it's big, right? But he's a tiny fellow. This statue is a replica and the original is kept in the Brussels Museum. It symbolizes the people of Brussels that embody their sense of humor and independence of mind. 

I spent most of my time walking around the Grand Place or Grand Square, which is the central square of Brussels.  It is surrounded by guildhalls or town halls and the King's House. 

The Grand Palace is the most important tourist destination, the most memorable landmark in Brussels, and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.  It has been burned, bombed, and rebuilt over the centuries yet remains magnificent. It is why it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was rainy and windy when I arrived in Brussels. Nevertheless, the charm of the place didn't diminish without the nice weather. People come and go. The cobblestoned square was packed with tourists.  A cup of coffee and hot chocolate kept my company. 

You can't leave Belgium without buying chocolates. Some stores have a display on how they make their chocolates. If you are a chocolate lover, this activity alone can consume your time in Brussels.

Another thing that Belgium is known for is its beer. I am not a beer person, so I didn't try their beer, and you can call me a killjoy. My focus was more on the waffles and chocolates.

Belgium is a small yet beautiful country. This spontaneous trip was about meeting Manneken Pis and eating lots of waffles. Not bad, I guess.