brussels, belgium (tory edition)

Posted by torytolles | Filed under Belgium

Grand Place

At the end of November, Chris (and I) went on his first Official Business Trip.  Although it was really nice to have all of Chris’s meals and transportation paid for by his office, his 7AM - 7PM days, with “mandatory” dinner and pub-networking afterwards, lacked a bit of the glamour Chris initially imagined.  Above is Brussels’ Grand Place, which is almost all that’s left of Ye Olde Brussels.  Our timing was perfect, as the crazy hanging lights you see above had just been installed as a lighting installation art exhibition.  It was lovely.  Despite the disappointment of Chris’ long days, the Belgian treats were even better than anticipated…

Mmm….  Waffles…

food coma

Mmm…  Food coma…  [For all of those unfamiliar with what happens to Chris after a large meal, here is the brief synopsis: Chris eats a bit more than he should.  Then he gets very sleepy.  And needs to lie down until his body has dealt with the necessary digestive processing, somewhat like a lizard on a sunny rock.  Food comas were frequent on our honeymoon when I only had Anne's House of Dreams for company (who brings more than one book on her honeymoon?!).  Now I know to bring multiple books on any traveling over twelve hours.  This may not be the entire explanation why I read nearly the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy while in Brussels, but it definitely contributed.]  [Note: that is not my hat.  - Chris]

atomium

While Chris worked, I got to explore the city.  At first I was a bit reluctant to explore by myself because I thought it would be a lonely process.  A book and a day later, I went to the Atomium, a 335 foot-tall model of a single cell of an iron crystal.  It was built for the 1958 World’s Fair in order to show that countries that still had colonies, like Belgium (until 1962), were not entirely barbaric, technologically challenged states.  The Belgians even flew in an entire Congolese village to illustrate the point.  

army museum

I have never been one to be super interested in anything related to the military, but Brussels’ Museum of the Army changed that.  Unfortunately, my camera died after taking this picture at the entrance, but I wish that I could share the hundreds of airplanes, tanks, ships, and other paraphernalia (the tanks and ships are kept outside in little courtyards - I suppose even Brussels’ weather cannot do much to hurt a TANK).  One exhibit reconstructed a WWI bunker that send me spiraling back to reading All Quiet on the Western Front in Mr. Kisch’s freshman English class.  I did not realize it initially, but the museum is in the middle of an enormous reconstruction project; the WWII exhibit ended at the planning of D-Day.  I spent 15 minutes frantically searching for the rest of the exhibit before I realized that it was unfinished - and I was genuinely upset :)

 

NB: This post is being published in desperation before we depart on a Christmas voyage.  Information on both our Yuletide tramping, and more about Brussels, to come!

Also, how cool is that snow falling on our blog? Thanks Able!

Permalink | December 20th, 2008

6 Responses to “brussels, belgium (tory edition)”

  1. tabitha Says:
    December 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    have a lovely christmas! europe at christmastime is THE BEST! jon and i spent christmas there in 2006 . . . lovely.

    we miss you! but we are glad to hear how things are going - sounds good!

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  2. David Kroll Says:
    December 22nd, 2008 at 12:52 am

    Tory your pictures were great. You definately sould ask for a new batttery for Christmas. There is still time. It would be interesting to have comments on Chris’s hat during these long meetings. Finally getting to travel arould a little.
    Hope you both have a very Merry Christmas and can’t wait to read about your New Years celebration.
    Love Aunt Sue and UD

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  3. tom Says:
    December 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    Whoa… a building in the shape of an atom…

    “Chemical Architecture”

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  4. Zdenko Says:
    December 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    Chris, your beard is back!

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  5. torytolles Says:
    December 23rd, 2008 at 4:01 am

    In force! Gotta represent here in Europe… I see you’re holding down the fort, too :)

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  6. mom Says:
    December 23rd, 2008 at 9:05 am

    As always, love your updates (still want more). The elves come tonight, and may be confused to find your room empty. Or perhaps they’ll find you in Germany, or Austria, or where ever you are. Miss you, and love you. xoxo

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