Date Weekend in Brussels

Brussels holds a special place in my heart, as one of the first "vacations" Paul and I took together back when we were just starting to date. We were head-over-heels for each other (or maybe that was just me?) and had planned this little weekend to explore a new city together. This year, right before we leave Switzerland, we planned to visit Brussels one more time for the long weekend. We arrived in the early evening, and hopped a train from the airport to the North train station that was less than a kilometer from our hotel. With a map and directions ready, we wandered our way there. The neighborhood was, well, less than savory. It smelled quite bad, and everything was beat down and dirty. I was a bit weary carrying all my things, especially my expensive camera even if it was put away, but we looked determined and not 100% like lost, wandering tourists so we made it to the hotel without a problem.

We made it out for dinner that night, and again, I was not overly impressed with the city. Everything was a bit grey and grim (not just the sky), but we managed to find a place to eat dinner that looked ok and had decent Belgian beer. It was an early night after a long day, but the beginning of a nice weekend.

The next day, we decided to take it easy, wander a bit, eat more, and more importantly, continue to sample the local beer. First, were the galleries (unfortunately all the shops were closed because it was ascension), but was still as gorgeous as I remember.

 We walked through restaurant row, filled with people trying to get you to sit down an eat for a "good price" (although quality? probably not...). Still, there were lots of interesting colors and angles.

Finally we made it to the square, with gold-trimmed buildings surrounded a large, very crowded square. We still enjoyed just sitting there, people watching, not feeling an ounce of pressure to have to explore or see any sights. As I said, this was just a long date weekend without stress. 

I was looking back at our pictures from our first trip here- my we have aged!

Paul had all the beer last time, now I know better! Some things never change, like our love for Hoegaarden beer. Yum! We were even in the same restaurant as last time :)

 

We certainly ate better this time - oysters and lobster and other delicious things.

 Our last full day was another relaxing day, reading, mussels, fries, beer, chocolate, beer, more fries. What can I say, we like to enjoy our lives! It was my perfect kind of day, with Paul by my side, a good book to read, and beautiful sights to stop and take in throughout the day.

The next morning was our flight home, and a quick taxi and easy stroll through security lead to a no stress travel. I came home relaxed as ever and happy to have gotten a few wonderful days with my favorite person. It made me look forward, now more than ever, to our big upcoming adventure.

The Kreisers Invade Switzerland

Last weekend I was one lucky girl as my wonderful cousin Pam and her son Jonny came to visit me during my limited time left here. The days were packed full up to the brim, and even with early mornings and late nights, they always had smiles on their faces. Here's just a brief overview of our amazing (and very short!) time together.

Awesome Day 1: Swiss Day
We headed out to the train station and got on our first of many trains that day. The Kreisers were ready!

First stop? Where else... Gruyere! Beautiful hill top castle and town, with a cheese factory at the base/

Inside the cheese factory, we got a little demonstration!

After the cheese, we hiked the little trail up to the actual town of Gruyeres. It's small and cute and everything you've ever wanted in a Swiss town.

We took a tour at the castle on the top, and it was a pretty neat place to see. The views weren't bad either!

Then we had lunch in the sunshine, resulting in a pretty solid sunburn (for me) and suntan (for the cool cousins).

After a hike down and a train, we stopped at the Callier chocolate factory. I have no idea how I missed out on taking any pictures. I guess I was too preoccupied eating chocolate? Sooo yummy. Then back on the train, and in search of some cows. You can't have Swiss day without cows! We managed to find a group of them, aren't they cute?

We finished the night with pizza and beer on our balcony, watching an incredible sunset.

Awesome Day 2: We were on a big adventure to the top of the alps! A bus, 3 trains, another bus, and four gondolas later, we were on top of the world on the Shilthorn. Being on top of a huge mountain like that is incredible, awe-inspiring, and mind-boggling, no matter how many times you've been before. You can't help but remember how very small you are compared to everything else in the world, and how insignificant you are in the amount of time you exist and the influence you have. Mountains and glaciers that soaring above you, making you take picture after picture after picture, desperate to capture the moment you are there, and then realizing again and again that pictures will never do something justice. Then you give in and just stand there, staring until your hands and ears go numb and its time to go home. Do you know that feeling?

We were lucky to eat in a ROTATING restaurant, which meant we got another hour, warm, eating, looking at the amazing views.

Then another jaunt outside, to see more pictures and birds, and breath it in one more time

We stopped at Gimmelwald on the way down to see another quintessential Swiss mountain town. Jonny and I had a great time taking pictures before heading back to Interlaken for a walk and a bit of dinner.

Finally, on her last night, Pam found her very own shop. What do they sell, you might ask? You'll just have to guess that one yourself :)

Seeing my family and getting to filled a jam-packed fun weekend with them reminded me how much I miss my family, but I was so grateful for our little time together. They wandered to the next town Monday morning as I made it to school for work, and their adventure continued. Any more family want to come visit? Your time is limited, but I'm a great guide!