Radio Lady sends regards: Hello from Brussels, Belgium

[Radio_Lady]

We arrived mid-day and I did the wash in the bathroom sink.

Delicious dinner repast, and now, to bed!

Jerry Falwell's death reminds me of this quote:

"Live every day as if it were your last, and, someday, you'll be right!"

[billyskank]

1. I don't believe you.

Belgium doesn't exist. We know the truth:

http://zapatopi.net/belgium/

[huskerlaw]

6. ...

:spray:

Wow, my "Belgian" friend is going to be shattered. Should I tell her that she actually lives in France and she's been brainwashed this whole time?

[Radio_Lady]

8. Ha-ha! That link is so funny -- so is this what I should tell my first boyfriend and his brother?

The Nazis drove him and his family into hiding for several years. It is a very sad story, but I won't bore you with the facts.

Thank you for posting! It's 3:18 am here and I am busying myself while my husband SNORES in our junior suite.

PS. There are a lot of meetings going on at the Marriott Renaissance this week. Should I tell them about that web site?

In fun,

Radio Lady SOMEWHERE but not sure where -- in Europe.

[DFW]

24. Small world: I'm in Brussels, too!

I'm usually in a different country every day for work,
so it's no big deal--two ships will often pass in the night
if they use the same shipping lanes all the time.

If you have time, there is one VERY special chocolate store
near the Grande Place called "Café-Tasse" (the coffee cup).
They have "minis," which are small bars (2-3 bites) of chocolate
in about 25 different flavors. One of my favorites is white
chocolate with finely ground pure coffee running through it.
But there is also dark with orange, mint, coffee, etc etc etc.
It's on the Rue Marché de l'Herbe (Grasmarkt in Flemish).

I'm off back to Germany later on today, and off to Paris and
Washington tomorrow, or else I'd offer to show you myself!

[Radio_Lady]

30. Thanks for the message, DFW! We're at the Renaissance Hotel and we've missed you!

We went to Ghent (Gent) and Bruges (Brugge) yesterday in a whirlwind tour. Absolutely marvelous small towns with big crowds on Thursday, which we were told was a holiday (Assumption Day) in Belgium.

My wishes for the best trip ever to Germany, Paris, and then Washington.

We leave Brussels on Monday, take the train to London for several days, then on to Edinborough, Scotland.

You are very busy on airplanes, and I assume you are tops at being covert...

Have a wonderful week -- and let's talk later!

Radio Lady

[seemunkee]

2. Enjoy

Have some Mussels, Frites and a good Belgium beer.

[Radio_Lady]

9. Our executive lounge dinner was excellent -- no complaints.

Ah, Europe is older than America. Tonight in the swimming pool, the girls in their bikinis were so beautiful, and I am feeling so ancient myself.

But I'm not dead yet. The only thing I seem to be missing is a good bidet. They had them all over the last time we were in Europe, but that seems to be a lost trend????!!

[kay1864]

3. PM me if you want directions to excellent (and cheap) chocolate shop

About a block from the Grande Place. Your friends will swoon.

I brought back 7 kg on one trip, in gift boxes from 1/8 kg to 1 kg.

[Radio_Lady]

10. The ones right here at the reception desk are so delicious -- and free!

I doubt that we can pack 7 kg of ANYTHING! We packed in one suitcase and one carry on. Believe me, for an almost 70 year old woman like me, that was a real challenge!

But if you want to drop the name and address information in your reply, that would be nice. Maybe we'll change our mind.

Thanks for the thought!

RL

[kay1864]

28. Yeah, I did go a bit overboard on that trip

From the Grande Place, walk down to the Mannikin Pis. A bit more than halfway there, you will see two chocolate shops, one on each side of the street. The one on the left has the 1/8 kg boxes (the other one only goes down to 1/4 kg). They used to be about $1.80 for that size, but they might have gone up a bit with the Euro conversion.

Great gifts for your friends! If they last the rest of your trip, that is... :)

[Radio_Lady]

31. We saw the little boy statue yesterday, only to find him totally clothed.

I understand he has thousands of costumes which have been supplied for a multiplicity of occasions.

So, there he was in his little black and white tuxedo affair, with a big black hat. We were told it was a Christian holiday, Assumption Day.

Too bad when a kid can't just piss in the buff in private! We couldn't see anything...

So far, all the chocolate has been free from the hotel! And while walking around the Grande Place, we sampled from many shops... Godiva chocolatier was making the product with fresh fruit right in the window.

Kay1864, nice to meet-chu on the DU!

Talk soon,

Radio Lady in Bruxelles

[AllegroRondo]

4. try the Chimay

EXCELLENT Belgian beer.
:beer:

[Radio_Lady]

11. The Chimay? Okay... like I know where that is... so where is it?

[Karenca]

16. It's the name of the beer: "Chimay"...not a place. nt

[Radio_Lady]

17. Stupid me. I've only been here less than a day. Thanks for the correction.

The only "chimay" I know is "chi-may-changa" but that's another story and country!

Thanks, Karenca

[Karenca]

20. You're welcome, RL

Enjoy your trip!

[huskerlaw]

5. Take notes!

I'm going to Brussels in July. :)

Enjoy your trip!

[Radio_Lady]

13. My husband has the notes. He is so organized... thanks! Enjoy YOURS!

Business or pleasure trip?

[huskerlaw]

22. Pleasure

I'm visiting a friend who lives in Gent, but we'll definitely be spending time in Brussels. As well as London and Amsterdam. I'm very excited...will be there for 3 weeks. It's my first trip out of the US. :)

I look forward to a full report (and maybe some pictures?) when you get back!

[Radio_Lady]

32. Pictures? You bet! That digital camers is my husband's favorite toy right now!

We stopped in Ghent for about an hour yesterday, then on to Bruges for most of the afternoon. We had to wait for the boat trip, but it was quite nice (about 1/2 hour wait and 1/2 hour ride).

London is next for us, and then Edinborough, Scotland.

Huskerlaw, I hope you have a marvelous trip! Please be in touch when you return, OK?

In peace,

Radio_Lady Abroad (yeah, a lot of people call me a broad...)

[Arugula Latte]

7. Have a waffle or two or three for me, please!

:hi:

Hate to tell you this, but it is absolutely drop-dead GORGEOUS in Portland today...

[Radio_Lady]

14. Delete... repeat...

[Radio_Lady]

15. Yes, I understand it was 81 degrees? We read USA Today international.

I'd just have to turn the airconditioning on. That's SO expensive!

My daughter, her hubby and her children are there, so I'm glad you're having a good week.

I'll be glad to come back to good weather -- keep it up until June, OK? We have two more cities to go -- London and Edinborough.

[bigwillq]

12. Hello!

:hi:

[Radio_Lady]

18. Hi hon... it's so nice to hear all of your voices... well, keyboard strokes...

Have a great week, Bigwilq.

[Kajsa]

19. Hi Radio Lady.

It sounds like you're having a great time In Belgium.

Remember that movie title,

'If It's Tuesday,It Must Be Belgium' ? He-he,

just a train of thought I wrote out--

Belgium is such a neat country.
I was there over 30 years ago, but I remember the people
were great, the food fantastic and the architecture really
interesting. Of course they have great art museums, too.

Have a blast and please have some of their great
chocolate! It is out of this world.

:hi: :pals:

[Radio_Lady]

33. There are massive building projects going on here. This city has much to offer.

Those who said it wasn't worth the visit -- were quite wrong in my humble opinion.

Yes, that movie crossed my mind, too. I don't remember anything about it except its title!

Chocolate here, chocolate there -- gawd, what about my diet???????

Tonight at the Renaissance hotel, they are having a "Red Hot" 50th anniversary party for the hotel.

Starting at 6 PM, a bowl of chili will be 80 cents, also a glass of beer and ice cream each 80 cents. This goes on today and tomorrow.

My husband plans to splurge!

Thanks so much for your nice message.....

[Taverner]

21. Me Jealous

[Radio_Lady]

34. Me worked for 50 years... me raised five children... me thinks me deserves it.

Hope you can get here someday! Europe is well... very European and each city is fascinating...

Take care of yourself, Taverner, and I wish you much luck in obtaining YOUR personal travel goals.

[SeattleGirl]

23. Hope you're having a fabulous time!

:hi:

[bridgit]

25. sup...

[DFW]

26. Oh, and before I forget

Even though we're havinig sort of a cold spell here
in this part of Europe do NOT miss going to Wittamer
up at the Sablon, and trying their ice creams/Sherbets.
Especially good: pomme vert (Green apple), Lait d'amande
(milk of almond) and framboise (Raspberry). Their chocolate
is OK, but do NOT miss Café-Tasse on the Rue Marché de l'Herbe.
If it lightens up any, you can then go get yourself a "lait russe"
which is about one third intense coffee and two thirds steamed
milk--to die for!--and munch a bar of dark chocolate along with
it at one of the outdoor cafés at the Grande Place.

Unfortunately, Brussels has a huge number of Gypsies that have
come up from the Balkans, so ALWAYS watch your handbags!

[fortyfeetunder]

27. One word: Chocolate.

it can't get any better than Belgian in Belgium.
Enjoy your trip!

[DFW]

29. I'm almost done in Brussels,

Gotta head back to Germany in a hour or so. The sun came out briefly, and now
it's getting grey again. If you're still here Sunday, it's supposed to clear up
by then.

I was at the Café-Tasse store today, and they said they hadn't see any Americans
yet today. Hurry up!