Chocolaty Brussels!

It's thrilling to zip through the countryside, farms, and sea to a new country within a few hours. I was fortunate to cross the English Channel (the sea that separates the UK and Europe) on a high-speed train. A transport marvel of the 20th century built under the sea allows the train to travel at 290 km/hr. One can cross the UK, France, and Belgium to reach Brussels within hours. The city is known more for the EU parliament seat than the Belgium capital. The country is known for its beer, waffles, French fries, Tintin, and chocolates. I felt there were more chocolate shops than the residents.

Walking through the narrow and broad boulevards, one could see the diversity, culture, and eateries from around the world. Like many other European cities, the central city remains the main tourist attraction, the Grand Place, as the name is the centre of Brussels's hustle and bustle. The old baroque-style buildings and the Town hall with its tall spire show the pomp and show of the bygone era. Brussels, the trade hub of Europe, had a huge influence on the architecture and style of buildings. Most old establishments are now converted into shops and restaurants. The bourse/stock exchange is another iconic landmark with wide open spaces, making it an excellent cultural destination. The old Royal Saint Herbert Galleries resemble one I saw in Milan, which now hosts several chocolate stores.

The smell of freshly made waffles lingers through the allies, and the long snaking queues for the French Fries (known as 'les frites' here) are sights to behold. Such is their love for French fries that I was even allowed to carry mine all the way from security to the immigration desk and on the train on my return. To my surprise, every security personnel asked me to enjoy them while hot. It's interesting although it's named French fries, they were invented in Belgium during the war. They compete with the chocolate and beer for the national dish of Belgium.

Chocolates, another specialty of Belgium, owing to its trade with the cocoa plantation countries centuries ago. The varieties of chocolate, flavours, shapes, and types, the famous and independent chocolatiers(makers/artists) are mind-blowing. The century-old brands still rule the hearts of people with quality and taste. But, it leaves a hole in the pocket to buy delicate chocolate from a reputed supplier. The numerous cafes and craft beer places attract locals and tourists in large numbers. I visited a famous Le Pain Quotidien cafe to grab a hot chocolate and was surprised to receive an extra dark chocolate on the side in case the drink was not chocolaty enough.

Besides the eateries, the city has a fair share of old and modern buildings, museums, cathedrals, and libraries. Many city walls have beautiful paintings and Tintin cartoons that take your breath away. Brussels is also known for its love of comics and the characters that have become famous over the years. Here is the one from Tintin in in the centre of the city.

While in the city, I visited the European Union Parliament in the EU Quarter area. A large area was secured for the EU workings. As I imagined, it was easy to spot from far away owing to a protest stage in the front courtyard. Off-late, it's easy to spot any government buildings with strikes and staged protests for various causes. The cluster of buildings looks more like a corporate office than a parliament. The unique thing to notice on a far corner was a section of the fallen Berlin wall on display for the public. A reminder yet again we need to unite people and not divide them.

The other scientific building worth visiting was the famous Brussels Atomium, built-in 1958 for the then Brussels fair, standing tall at 102 meters high. It attracts tourists from all over to marvel at this engineering feat. The stainless steel spheres resemble a unit cell. The word Atomium, a combination of atom and aluminium, represented Belgium's scientific progress back in the day. The spheres can be reached via stairs and lifts.

Prices are another hard to ignore these days. In terms of cost of goods, it feels like Belgium competes with its friendly neighbours - France and Germany. One has to be mindful and exercise restraint on the pocket while in the city. But then the numerous chocolate stores lined all over take all this restraint away. This is one thing I will never forget about Brussels - the chocolates!