Entries about manikkin

A morning flight to Brussels and we get to see Tracy. Even with a time change of 8 hours I slept until 7:30. We were back over the parking lot to the airport and checked in very quickly. Security said my zip lock bag was too big. Funny...Vancouver and Heathrow both were okay with it. The security guy wanted 2 pounds to buy a bag, but all I had was a 20. He then went and got us this little official bag anyway and we were on our way. We tried to getting in BA lounge and they sent us to the BMI Lounge and they said no. Dang, rules change and it didn't help us, it was implied that if one our flights was business that we could use the lounge. So back to the common area and we had to buy food.
It was a small plane and a great flight over England and France and into Brussels. They had to bus us to the terminal and there was Tracy and her landlord Sabine. Tracy was bouncy and happy and it was wonderful to hug her after such a long time. What a beautiful city. So much to look at. We had a tour of Tracy's home and we were out on the street. A stop at a teashop where we had lentil soup, a beef skewer, hummus and a wonderful mint sweet tea. Yum!! We walked down to the Place Flagey and picked up beer. Tracy and I shared a Cherry Kriek and Roger had Vedett Blanc. That is the most beer I have ever had, as I don't like beer, but this was all right, it is very fruity and sweet not bitter. The cool thing is you can walk down the street and drink it! We walked through the Abbey grounds, the University and back to Tracy's for a cup of tea, to skype Carol and Richard and play Settler's of Catan. Tracy is cool Tracy won!
And we are on the road again. A wander down the road to buy bus tickets, bandages for Tracy's blisters and a visit to the European Parliament, then the 95 bus to the city/tourist area. Time to feed, Thai food won the toss, but we went for Moroccan food, a man sized meal. Nom Nom. The three of us ate for about the same amount Roger spent on his breakfast. No tax and no tip I could get used to this! Then a wander through the old area into Grand Place filled with amazing buildings built in the 1600s. I guess I am only starting to see huge orange stone and brick buildings, but I hope I don't get blasé about it. The narrow streets are filled with tourists settling into the numerous little restaurants that spill into the streets leaving only a pathway down the middle of the street. The guys are not too subtle about looking at young women (Tracy) and some are very vocal even though she is with us.
We eventually found our way to the Manikin Pis, still surrounded by people after 10 at night. He is naked tonight, but will be dressed tomorrow for the fourth of July. Then a real Belgium Waffle with no extras, unlike the tourists who were smothering their waffles with chocolate and fruit or whipped cream. We chatted with a guy from Romania while we waited our turn.
Back to Tracy's for tea, an episode of Castle and bed.