Mussels in Brussels

Last weekend Stern treated all of the Business and Political Economy majors to a trip to Brussels to tour the capital of the European Union.  Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to see a lot of the city because we had lectures during the day, but what I did experience of the city I really enjoyed.  This was the first time I'd been outside of the UK since being here, and it was a nice escape.

The EU wasn't in session last week (and they have Fridays off), so we didn't see any delegates walking around, but we did get to see the assembly room. Being at the EU and learning about what they do there strengthened my desire to do (as I put it to my friend last weekend) "international stuff", whether that's international business, politics, relations, whatever! I love the idea of international cooperation and learning about how countries interact with each other.

Outside of the EU, we didn't see much of Brussels except for the tourist areas.  Some parts of Brussels are ugly and kind of seedy, but other parts are old and beautiful. I love the Grand Platz. So many beautiful tall buildings in one place!

Then of course there's the Belgian food! I would be a hundred more pounds, at least, if I actually lived in Brussels.  The food is so heavy and rich.  For dinner one night we got some famous Brussels mussels (of course). And for the rest of the trip we mostly just ate waffles and chocolate!

I did not try the escargot cart. I was too nervous.

My friend and I decided that we didn't see enough of Belgium (really, we decided that we didn't get enough chocolate and waffles), so we are going back to Belgium--Antwerp this time--to get a little more of the Belgium experience.

THIS is Belgium.

This is Brussels...the sketchy part. Still awesome.