Sunday, June 26, 2022 - First Day in Brussels

We slept late and missed breakfast.  It was 11AM when we walked toward the major site, the Grand Place, i.e. main historic square.  As our B & B is located in the area called St. Catherine's we stopped to see St. Catherine's church. We came in during the mass and sat down and participated as much as we could. What we observed were very little noise, about six of them, carrying out acolyting duties, the priest faced the  congregation and the altar was placed in the choir and congregation, and the priest and members of the congregation gathered outside to chat and talk. It looked like a real congregation.  Now the peace was a smile or a nod to a person sitting nearby. 

En route to the Grand Place we had sandwiches and hot chocolate, of course.  The Grand Place is an architectural amazement. Town Hall and guild halls were visited by us several times today.  We followed Rick Steves' guide for the area to see noteworthy sights, including chocolate stores and the historic glass ceilinged shopping mall, the peeing little boy, and the waffle factory where Premilla had a waffle covered with dark chocolate sauce and strawberries. 

Heading back to the B&B we stopped at St. Nicholas church and participated in our second mass today.  There was organ music and congregations singing at both services. We were glad to participate in services whose liturgy we knew.

We were now in our neighborhood and found a French restaurant where Premilla could have mussels. She ate the entire pot. And I did eat one and enjoyed it.  I ordered lobster bisque. 

It is time to get to bed before midnight.  Tomorrow our focus is the European Union. 

Gute Nacht, Susan



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