Paris and Brussels

Hello there!

What a journey it has been so far. Mike, Noah, and I started in Philadelphia at 6PM on June 1st, each with one backpack, nearly a week ago even though it feels like longer. We departed at 6PM and had a pleasant plane ride and arrived in Paris at 8AM Paris time (2AM EST!). After some confusion we found Nik and headed out into Paris. Our first destination was Notre Dame where we climbed a buuunch of stairs (backpacks included) and saw a good view of the city, gargoyles, and a hobbit's entry to a big bell which Mike and Noah reached over the barrier and touched (tsk tsk). We then headed over to the famous Louvre, complete with the pyramid and Mona Lisa. Luckily they made us check our backpacks so we could enjoy it more. We had very in depth but pretty wrong analyses of the some of the paintings.

After that we somehow managed to find Romain, our host in Paris. We enjoyed French wine and pizza hut with him and had some good conversation. Despite our complete lack of sleep we stayed up late talking for quite a while.

The next day was our second in Paris: complete with getting lost on a run, the Eiffel Tower (exterior only), and a pleasant picnic with brie, baguette, and more delicious French wine.

We missed our train to Brussels (oops) but by some insane stroke of luck our train had been canceled so we got on the next train. We met up with Emily Miller, a Beloit College alum who we happened to meet on couchsurfing.org, and went out for some quality brews. The beer here is ridiculous, so many kinds and a lot with interesting stories. Noah had a lambeck (Cantillion) that we all tried that is the only of its kind. The yeast grows exclusively in the walls of the brewery in Brussels and apparently takes two years to make. Also tasted delicious.

The next day we ventured out into Brussels, first hitting up the music museum. They give you headphones and when you walk close to an instrument, you hear music from that instrument or group of instruments. I had no idea that many types of instruments even existed! We also got to play with an organ and a music machine. The trip was followed by some delicious Belgian chocolate and an excellent dinner.

That night, we went out and met a lot of Emily's friends. We drank some good (and not so good) beers on the Gran plaz (spelling?) which is said to be the most beautiful square in the world. We also ended up at a kareoke bar that wasn't really kareoke, rather, a guy singing American songs, and a different bar where I got a drink out of a crâne (skull in French) (?!)

The following day Emily's friend Sarah was nice enough to let us tag along on their trip to her home in Flanders (Blaasveld) with Eleri, Emily's Welsch friend. We had a lovely day swimming in a lake close to her house and then barbequeing in Sarah's backyard with her family. They were exceedingly welcoming and we had a great time.

And finally, today! The guys and I split up. I went to Knokke, a seaside town on the north coast on Belgium on the North Sea with Emily and friends. The day started out not looking too promising, but it eventually cleared up and we had the beach to ourselves. I had a really good time with these girls who I felt like were good friends even though I just me them! The guys stuck around Brussels and maybe one of them will finally make a post so they can tell you about it.

So so far? A dynamic and interesting trip. We're on to Brugge tomorrow, a small town in Belgium and after that Amsterdaam!

Peace,
Julie