Back home in Atlanta and so so busy, not sure how I found the time to work but lots to do.
Thinking back on last week there were a couple of things which stood out and our worth a mention.
Maybe I am a little weird but some things just stand out to me.
Brussels is a busy little place it has the European Economic Community HQ, the NATO HQ all of the Embassies and a host of Big Business sites. Also it is very accessible for weekend tourists and any and all European tours.
It is not a particularly big city with only around 1 million people so what this means is that at any time of the day or night you will hear that dull rumbling of overnight bags being dragged over cobbled streets. It is just one of those things you see them everywhere and the owners are dragging them around at a furious pace all rushing somewhere. (note I say dragging not carrying as they will probably do as soon as they get to the Airport ref May 10th entry). It is sometimes difficult to get a good picture without one in view. Maybe this could become a new type of “Where’s Wally” game. 
Another thing is people with maps. Now this is normally small groups less than 5 people who are stood on street corners trying to orientate themselves. Turning the maps around and around and generally all pointing in different directions. I got asked 4 times for directions which is a worrying trend. Either I look like a tour guide or I have an air of confidence making people believe I know where I am or of course it could be I was the first person to wander past. So I point them to the “Grand Place” which is almost always just around the corner so if they had read the road sign they were standing under rather than the map they were pondering over it would have been easier.
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For the actual city what I noticed was the proliferation of Chocolate shops. Now they were not short of them in the first place but there seems to be 3 or 4 times the amount. Several of the main brands Neuhaus, Godiva, Leonidas were well represented and there seemed to be a fair amount of new independent producers which indicates all is well. Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate per year with more than 2,000 chocolate shops throughout the country. Pralines in Belgium are sublime chocolate confections. A beautifully sculpted chocolate shell conceals a center of filling which explodes with a surprising texture and flavor in your mouth. Many chocolatiers still make their pralines by hand. Every town and even small villages have chocolate stores with luxurious pralines.
How can we be in an economic crisis when there are new chocolate shops opening up.
Other than this the restaurants seem to be breeding and the Belgians don’t really do food chains, in general they do single owner places who do superb food which makes you think it must be easy which it is if you have been doing it all of your life. All of my old haunts are still going strong including the Lebanese which was around the corner from my Hotel. The reason I mention this particular one is I have a vivid recollection of a meal there when the belly dancer decided to perform on one of the tables and I spent a terrified 15 minutes convinced she was going to move to close to the edge and tip it over and being that I was first in line to have what could be termed a “well built” lady fall into my lap. She did have my undivided attention given the proximity and the potential for injury.
So as I said back home ready for the American Idol final and to make sure the Tivo does not delete either Grays anatomy or House before my babe gets back.
Next “the cat and the hat”