Rainy Monday in Brussels

We met our host - briefly. He had breakfast place settings with breads and cheeses, and jams set on the table.  Coffees and teas and cereals, and fruit were also available.  He said a few words and then disappeared into the basement. 

We walked to Central (main train) station, and watched police on horses parade around the Grand Place, the main square. They were apparently being filmed. At the near by Central train station we found couple of very helpful people and purchased public transport tickets for the day and found the bus stop to take us to Luxembourg Square where the European Union complex of buildings is located.  We hadn't read completely that we needed to show a picture ID. Premilla couldn't find anything acceptable. We left and located a couple other museums we wanted to visit. But we learned that although it is Monday and most museums are closed the European Parliament buildings are open, but they open later. 

After talking about what to do next it was decided that I would visit the Parliament building and Premilla would wait outside for me. That was sad, but I went in at her urging, as my ID was acceptable. I was given an audio guide and for 45 minutes I learned about the layout of the buildings here and then went up to the visitors' gallery, sat down, and listened to a thorough description of what goes on when the members are present. It was currently empty.

I learned that the representatives are elected directly by their constituents every five years, that there are 705 representatives and each one is assigned a committee. They meet monthly either in Brussels or Strasbourg or in Luxembourg.  I was most interested in learning about the work if the translators.  There are 24 languages available for the 27 member countries.  This was a very moving experience for me. 

Premilla met me outside and we visited the Parliamentarian, the museum which gives the story of the founding of the European Union and its very wide-ranging current responsibilities.  Everything which touches the life of a citizen of Europe, now about 500 million except the military, is the responsibility of the EU. It also reaches around the world to help with trade, climate, election, refugee and any more issues. With an audio guide we heard descriptions of events leading to the founding in 1951. We saw lots of photos and documents and saw a film in panorama settings, walked over a map of the EU on the floor, and saw photos of each of the representatives, and heard and viewed a video recorded message from selected representatives.  If I were a citizen of Europe I would be very enlightened about my representatives and motivated to vote in the next member election in 2024. I am so glad for these experiences today. 

Outside there was a gathering of people, most like Sri Lankans, urging action for the Tamil Elam party, I think... there were banners and music and food in the rain.. We did not investigate.

Back in the center of town we found a place to eat and then walked to the area with boutique shops. There were sales, and Premilla tried on a couple of dresses, but she purchased nothing.  We returned around 6PM to our B&B to rest our feet, and we fell asleep.  We awakened three hours later. Premilla is have tea and chocolates for dinner. I am still satisfied from the mushroom pizza and apricot sorbet treat. 

So, it is an early night for us.  Gute Nacht. 


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