Brussels was a much needed slow-paced easily digested in five days filled with some simple joys and a fair amount of rest. Italy had left me tuckered out, so I got to Brussels and quickly enjoyed the fact that I had some quality alone time in my 3-bed dorm room, as there were no other guests for the first couple of nights. Quite pleasant, particularly since I was planning on some R&R. I think the things that will standout to me about Brussels are its tri-lingualness and the beer. I don't think I have gotten lost in a city more often than in Brussels (there was that time in Amsterdam, but seriously all those streets look the same, but I was only there a few days, whereas one would think in the five days in Brussels I could have figured some of that out), I'm going to blame the street signs that had the street names in two languages, neither of which I understood.

Anyways, this made me think about living life in more than one language. Something my hometown can kind of relate to, although I would argue the average person back home isn't a master of both languages. The Belgian folks seems to own French, Dutch, English AND German. It's kind of shocking coming from such a mono-lingual country. Obviously, with the Belgian heritage being split between its Flemish and French influences, along with the need for English and the proximity to Germany and it being the capital of Europe. This all makes sense. But still, most American's struggle with the one language. Kind of Impressive.

I think my beer experience in Belgium is by far the most interest one I've had in the history of my beer drinking. (This is a long time)

There are zillions of beers to choose from and tons of information available about each of the breweries and various styles. And honestly, it's all a little overwhelming. The top beers that I had here are the following:

Cantillon Kriek (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/388/1632)
Orval Trappist Ale (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/37/129)
Band of Brothers (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16320/81303)
Rulles Blonde (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4663/10026)
Westvleteren Trappist Ale ( http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/313/1545)

The best thing about beer tasting here is how serious everyone is about their recommendations and their thoughts about what you could like. Also, Belgian Beer culture is redid, Folks were having beers at all hours. Eight AM, 10 AM, 2PM, 2AM - it didn't matter people were drinking beer. Lovely.

Other Great Stuff from Brussels:

The Magritte Museum - I think the Magritte museum was one of my top travel museum experiences and has pushed me to learn a little more about art, and specifically surrealism, I kind of dug what those fuckers were saying. Actually, I just think Magritte was a really cool cat, love his approach to life, even though it seemed to have bordered on Nihilism. Magritte seemed to want to create things that were inherently conflicted and counter-intuitive (This is not a pipe) but then scoffed at the idea that someone would psycho-analyze what that all meant.
Yoga at Sampoorna Yoga Studio - I did a bunch of much-needed and centering yoga here. The instructors were excellent and I had the most chill time. It was all gravy. Except for one class when I went to after tasting quite a few Belgian Beers the night before; I think my body was like in toxin-ridding mode, and as such I was by far the sweatiest person in the class and possibly in the entirety of the city of Brussels. The instructor gave me a few "are you ok?" looks. Kinda embarrassing.
Drinking Afore-mentioned Beers at Moeder Lambik - I met a great couple currently residing in the UK, Emily and Burt. Emily happened to be a beer geek and led me on an excellent beer safari. She also wants to hire me for some clean energy thing she does. Who knows, but either way a great way to spend some time and great company to have during that time.
Mini-Europe - Strangest little tourist trap I've ever been to - 1/20 scale recreations of the top tourist attractions and cultural landmarks from the entire continent of Europe. It was actually a lot of fun to stomp through it, but not really the most authentic travel experience I've ever had. Mad-kitsch factor.
LOTS of Doner Kebap - I really couldn't stomach more frittes after the first couple of days. And I hadn't had Doner in ages, and wow was there LOTS of delicious doner had here. I got myself a nice little teaser for my time in the Middle East.
Weirdo Flea Market on the other side of the tracks - the flea market was like hipster heaven and I had to leave the centre to get down there and it felt like I was walking around with the people. BONUS - cool African cultural masks and whatnot stores all over this area that I got to explore after the fact.
Meal and Beer at the Greedy Glutton / Nuet Nigenough (Which kind of sounds like not enough) - i got here on a rainy afternoon and just sat and watched Brussels go by with a bunch of delicious cheeses, an amazing Broccoli Soup and probably the best frittes I'd eaten in Belgium up to this point. Pretty great.

From Brussels it was on to Brugge.

Other Brussels Fun:

Dude outside of my dorm room one random morning

First Taste of Frittes

Manneken Pis

Tweets on Tweets

Paris Street Art