We were determined to prove two Belgian travelers wrong about their country: it is NOT possible to see Belgium in one day. In fact we spent 4 days in Belgium and only left Brussels once. So there.
More than any place on this entire trip, Brussels reminded us of home. No, it wasn’t the french accent, the chocolate, the strange little boy statue or the little-Africa neighborhood downtown. While these could all be said of DC, it was the vibe of “power” in the city. The political center of the European Union, we attended a birthday party where the attendees were from no less than a dozen nations. (In fact, ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung in three different languages.) It was the first time in a long time that we were really able to enjoy ourselves in a big group, not having to constantly wonder if the other person understood what we were saying. English in fact, despite there being only three native English speakers at the party, was the language of choice. Like DC, everyone it seemed directly or indirectly worked in European politics. Conversations swirled about current events, international politics and exotic travel. We felt at home.
Brussels of course is not like home. 
Chez Antoine is not cooking up fries on in a petite maison on 14th street in Washington and there is no way Ben’s Chili Bowl is going to start serving pomme frites with 20+ varieties of mayonnaise. We walked into the European Parliament building without showing a badge, doing the same in DC would have been a breach of national security! Buildings are much older and much taller, and there’s good Belgium chocolate is everywhere…not just at Trader Joe’s. Yes, things are different, but not by too much. And since we were there for the 4th of July, we still managed to enjoy a nice BBQ, some fireworks, and a trip to to Waterloo to celebrate the defeat of the French….clearly the next best option when in Europe with no other American’s around…
Besides eating ridiculous amounts 
of french fries, we spent our long weekend in Belgium visiting with friends, and dragging them to the Tour de France, which went through Brussels on its way from the starting point in Holland back to France. Le Tour was the real reason we wanted to come to Brussels. If we were going to be in Europe in July, we were going to the Tour de France. That was the deal. So off we went, and when people asked why we were in Belgium we always replied in the best French accent we could muster, Le Tooouurrrrrr! The Tour did not disappoint, but you’ll have to wait for our next post to find out why…
Gotta love the pomme frites! There’s a great Belgian place in Manhattan I used to go to. Impossible to try every variety of dipping sauce!
Polish-Belgian-German friends miss you guys.You have to visit Brussels once again to see this time the peeing girl;)
Wow, I can’t beleive two Belgians told you you could see are country in a day! It’s small, that’s a fact, but there’s so much culture and there are so many cities worth visiting: Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges …
I’m glad you guys had a nice time here!
Hi Sofie,
I think they meant it as a joke, but who knows! 🙂 We actually only explored Brussels, but would love to go back and see the rest of the country. Sorry we’re just seeing your comments now, it seems that you were sent to spam! 🙂
Noooooo! Not to spam!!!!
No problem:)
And if it was a joke: woops 😀
If you ever need inspiration for Belgian sights and activities: holla at me! 😀