Diet: Chocolate, Beer, and French Fries
Defiantly my favorite things about Belgium. The chocolate honestly tastes better than any I have had and the beer is so much more flavorful, tasty, and high in alcohol.
I spent a day in Brussels but it was nothing special. Maybe because the weather was crap and all I really saw was the boy that pees. I never got the actual story behind the peeing boy.
But Bruges was another lovely, quant, homey, quiet, city full of character. The cobblestone streets, colorful homes, old churches, and tiny shops filled with cheese, meat, chocolate, and pubs out the ear filled with classic Belgium beer. I spent roughly 40 minutes in line at the Dumon chocolate shop while locals ordered pounds and pounds of chocolate. Finally it was my turn. All I wanted was a small box of an assortment of chocolate. For only 5.25 Euros she packed a small box full of about 20 different pieces of her finest chocolate. Immediately on my way back to the hostel I opened up the box and ate about 5 pieces. Each one was a delectable treat with vibrant flavors and such a good sweetness. It was hard not to make a noise when you bit into each piece. Unfortunately I made myself sick and I still have about 6 pieces sitting on the downstairs kitchen table. I would have loved to bring back the small boxes for friends and family but another downfall of backpacking.
I also experienced my first taste of Belgium French Fries while in Bruges, but I stuck to ketchup as I hate mayonnaise. But would you believe I never had a true Belgium waffle! At least one thing I never had to add to my diet. But besides all the wonderful eating and drinking in Bruges the city was a treat to discover. From the fresh produce market in the Market Square, to climbing the Bell Tower, to taking a brewery tour, and even renting a bike and riding 40 minutes out into Dammes for a quiet afternoon.
I also met a lovely older couple as I sat in a restaurant one evening from London. They were on “holiday” and enjoying some time in Belgium. We chatted for nearly 2 hours about my travels and their hopes of visiting America. Anyway, I learned a new joke from the old man:
A naked man is walking through the jungle when he comes upon an elephant and the elephant says “how do you feed yourself with that thing?”
Tags: Belgium
