Beautiful Final Day in Brussels

We had breakfast with an American couple from Salt Lake City. It was a friendly conversation.  They left with large backpacks to take the train to Amsterdam and visit the Rijksmuseum. We were asked to pay our bill in cash, for our US VISA card was accepted on the host's machine. Figuring out how to accomplish that took time, and we question the story about our VISA cards. 

We walked to the central train station to purchase our bus tickets to two Fine Arts museums. Passing through the Grand Place we saw bleachers beginning to be set up as and wondered what event was coming there soon. 

The Museum of Fine Arts held paintings of Bruegel and Rubens and their friends. Scenes from mythology and religion and Saints, and wealthy tradesmen and their families, still life, and scenes from everyday peasant life as well as sculptures with classic depictions were displayed in a large brick structure with a high vaulted ceiling which let in lots of light. 

The End of the Century Museum displayed the pen and ink work of an artist who communicated in writing with Curves, dots, straight lines and other configurations to communicate his message. It reminded me of Arabic.

We had lunch nearby and enjoyed creative sandwiches on soft rolls. Premilla had delicious hot chocolate.  We walked to the royal palace and were amazed at its size. In front there were two 💂‍♂️ 💂‍♂️ guards who marched very formally in front of the formal gardens. The Belgian flag flew above the palace, which I learned means that the king is in the country. His successor is female, the first of four children. She is in her early twenties.

After the bus ride back to the Grand Place we observed more bleachers being erected as well as roofs for protection from the rain or perhaps sun. Premilla made purchases of chocolates, and we returned them to our B&B. Resting out feet and legs we received a text from friends from our tour, but we couldn't meet for supper. They had just arrived in Brussels from Amsterdam. Perhaps we will meet up tomorrow before we take an early afternoon train back to Amsterdam Schipol Airport.

We went to a popular local Italian restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed watching people walking the street and eating outside. Sidewalks were filled with tables of all sizes and heights, chairs and benches. Living outdoors is a choice when the weather is good, and was good today.

Gute Nacht, Susan 

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