Brussels Day 3

Brussels Day 3

Grand Place Brussels

 

Well it's Sunday and on one of my candle lighting expeditions during the week, I had found there was to be an English Mass at the Church of St Nikolas in the city at 10am, so I decided that was my first stop for the day.

St Nikolas Church Brussels

 

I had some weird feelings while I was there.. they started with the Hymn "Holy God we praise thy name" and I began to choke up whilst I was singing it... and I don't know why...???

 

I don't think I'm homesick, although there are a few things happening at home that make me wish I could be there at the moment. Or maybe it was just that complete familiarity and comfortableness within an environment where everything is different. It's the first time I've been in an English speaking environment today since I left Angers (which was half/half anyway!)

 

Don't know what it was, but I got over it pretty quick, especially as the sermon was still predictably boring!!!

 

Mind you, I cry during the National Anthem at the Grand Final, so maybe I'm just an emotional being..???

Anyway, I had made my mind up to go slowly today as I can feel a certain tiredness creeping up on me...

So, after mass the next plan was coffee...

I wandered into the Grand Place which was only 100m or so from the Church and they had a band singing "Honky Tonk Woman"... talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous!!! That was followed by a Scottish Pipe band playing some hits from World War 1, and one song that  I really love called the ballad of Glencoe. I remember the first time I heard it was when we drove through the area of Glencoe in Scotland and its stuck in my mind ever since. I'll be back in Glencoe in  few weeks....

There seemed to be some display of all the Fire fighters equipment too, as the square was ringed by fire fighter trucks...

Anyway I found a nice little café and had a lovely coffee while reading my Guide book and trying to find where things where in Brussels.

Another landmark I wanted to visit was the Cathedral of St Michael, which I eventually discovered..

St Michael's Cathedral Brussels

This is also the place where the Belgium Royalty are matched and dispatched...

According to my guide book, the funeral of the popular King Baudouin was held there in 1993. He was succeeded by his younger brother Albert, who will eventually be succeeded  by his son Prince Phillipe.

When I got to the Cathedral, a Mass was just finishing and they won't let you wander around whilst Mass is on. So I thought I'd wait till the end as they were up to Communion. But no sooner had that one finished than they started another one again - so much for trying to get any pics of the Cathedral. Incidentally, I  could have been to 3 Masses this morning without even trying!!! Needless to say, I didn't indulge in any candles today - I thought my prayers were enough!

Anyway, a few pics...

St Michael's Cathedral - looking towards the back

St Michael's Cathedral - looking towards the altar.

So after that,  I decided to join the hop on hop off bus tour to get my bearings.... but the bus driver suggested that I stay on for the entire trip as there was going to be a protest about Iraq in the city and some roads would be closed, so he couldn't guarantee picking people up after a few hours. That suited me, although there were a few stops I would've liked to make. But I still have tomorrow. So I stayed on for the entire journey. It took 75 minutes.

I was sitting in the front seat at  the top of the bus, so some of my pics didn't work too well as they were taken through the glass. And to be honest, I can't remember where all the places were, so I'll just include a few pics to give the feel of the place... it's the "vibe..."!!!

Me sitting on the bus!!!!

This street reminded me of Royal Parade in Princes Park Melbourne

Markets were out today - maybe because it's Sunday?

EU building

EU building again



Cafes everywhere in Brussels

Typical trendy lane

So, that was my nice and easy, cruisy day. I was half thinking of doing a few more things then I saw the Iraq protesters coming towards me so I scuttled down into the Metro and came home.

One more day here then I'm off to London. Have to admit I'm looking forward to a few things about London - number one is getting some washing done. Did some socks and undies, but I really need to do some serious washing soon.

I am also looking forward to having a bit more control over my diet as I have an apartment in London and will be able to cook food that my stomach can cope with. Have to admit I'm struggling a bit in that area, but that's one of the challenges of travelling. You can't have it all...!!!

But hey ho... I'm really enjoying every minute of this wonderful adventure and wouldn't swap it for quids...