On our way back from Amsterdam (via the train) we made a layover before heading back to Soignies, with what was left of the day in Brussels.
Our first sight after we stepped out of the train station was this HUGE church. I would say it is around the same size as the front of Notre Dame; you can see people down in front for comparison. It is baffling that this is what Belgians drive right in front of every day.
This street is open-air and covered with a ceiling and hosts many shops. We ducked in every chocolate shop and wanted to check out some of the retail stores, but it was closing time for retail when we arrived. I can't remember exactly it's claim to fame, but it's something to the effect of this street is the longest covered, outdoor "mall" in Europe (again, I don't exactly remember but that sounds closest to being correct).
It's a rivalry to rival Microsoft versus Mac when it comes to window displays for Belgian chocolate shops. This was one part of an elaborate window display. They must put more time into this than a woman choosing new shoes! The other shop's window had an equally aesthetic display that was ever-so-slightly different and with the same Easter theme. In case you were wondering, the actual chocolates were wonderful (coming from someone who's not a great chocolate fan).
A sweet looking building. I have no idea what it is but it is a fantastic thought to know that this is commonplace in Europe and other parts of the world (but not so much America). Having wonderful buildings of old scattered around an international city, helping illustrate the city's multi-century old history, fascinating.
The famous Mannekin Pis, a.k.a. a little boy peeing in a fountain. It was quite anticlimactic. He's about 15 inches tall and is simply situated at a street corner. Doesn't seem too special, but he's one of the most recognized statues. You can find him peeing on the gardens of Home Depot as he is replicated worldwide for many gardens.
Couldn't stop ourselves from indulging in another waffle before we headed back to the house!
