Day 1- Planes, Beer, Chocolate, and More Beer….

We have finally arrived in Belgium, but not after a crazy last 24 hours. So it all began Sunday at 4 am when we left for the airport with some of our best friends Jenny and Brandon. We promptly boarded our plane and arrived in Washington DC after one of the most the most turbulent flights ever. Every time we tried to sleep our heads would be jolted by the bone rattling turbulence. Finally, we arrived in DC and boarded our plane to Belgium… and then the wait began. As we taxied to the runway the pilot came on the intercom and announced that a warning light had turned on in the jet engine and he was going to restart the engines to see if it would disappear. Warning light…Jet engine…this was not sounding good. And, did you really need to tell us that? Couldn’t you have just said something else? Anything else? After 2 hours of sitting on the runway the pilot told us we were returning to the gate. Fine by us. The good part. Brandon and Adam got to finish the 49rs game in the sports bar. The bad part. We were the only 49er fans on the East coast and unfortunately they lost, no in your face victory dance for us. Once the girls tracked us down in the bar, we boarded the second plane; 5 hours after our original departure time. Again, we taxied to the runway and as the pilot prepared to take off, he announced that our journey was about to continue, but not to Brussels. Another warning light. Different plane different light. What the heck? You’ve got to be kidding. So once again we return to the gate and the pilot tells us that the hydraulic pump that controls little things like, wing flaps, air pressure, and landing gears has failed, but not to worry. Note to self. Never fly United. They seriously need new planes. This time a mechanic replaced the pump and 10 hours after we arrived in DC we were on our way to Belgium, thus concluded our 24 hour journey.
The moment we touched down we felt at peace with the world. We were excited, eager, and relieved to finally arrive. After a quick trip through customs we exited the airport and were greeted by a wonderful homemade sign that Anne and her mom had made. The sign read, “Bienvendue a Bruxelles” or “Welcome to Bruxelles”. Have you ever noticed that America gives different names to cities throughout the word? Brussels is actually Bruxelles, Florence-Firenze, Rome- Roma. Anne is Heather and Jenny’s friend from high school. She was a foreign exchange student and last year she visited us in the US. 14 years later we are repaying her with the pleasure of our company and visiting her. Anne’s mom only speaks French but she is so excited to see us and take us on a tour of the city. Anne is our translator as many people only speak French. However, smiles and Bon Jour’s go a long ways!
Once at home, Anne prepared an amazing array of meats, cheeses, breads, and chocolates. As we were oohhing and ahhhing, Anne said, it’s nothing! Nothing to her, but incredibly delicious to us. Soon after, we bundled up and headed out to where else? The market of course! We walked through picking out more cheeses and yummy treats like foie gras, a European specialty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras) Later in the evening we walked to the Monday night market, drank hot wine, and meandered through the numerous cheese, meat, and vegetable stands, eating little bits of this and that.

We toped it off at a nearby pub.

The bartender asked us our beer preferences, sweet or bitter, light or dark, and picked out our perfect beer. Traditionally in Belgium beer is served with a big chunk of cheese, a sausage, and roasted barley seeds. Delicious of course! Anne’s Mom, Mary François, picked us up and drove us all around Bruxelles, showing us the most famous sights and monuments.

When she asked Adam and Brandon if they would like to see the hookers they both looked at each other and laughed. She drove us through the Red Light district where half naked women sat in windows with red lights. The street was packed with men gawking at the women. It was a strange and disturbing sight but interesting none the less. Around 11pm we stopped by a “French” fry stand, picked up fries wrapped in paper cones and a variety of dipping sauces. Back at the flat, we eat our late night dinner and were ready for bed!

As we finish writing this, we are getting ready to go out for the day…more sightseeing and undoubtedly, more incredible European cuisine, and a few more toasts to our incredible friend and host, Anne. Thank you already for the best introduction to Europe we could have ever wished for.