2009
We got out of bed at 4:30 AM and walked to the Grote Markt to see the city wake up. It was so quiet-- a beautiful moment when we were almost alone in all the grandeur. Slowly the trucks started to roll in, first the street cleaners, then the bakery delivery trucks, and finally the food and flower vendors. The early morning commuters came in next, hurrying across the square, head down, on their way to work. We left as the sky started to lighten. It is one of the travel memories I cherish. 
The Royal Palace. However, this isn't the official resident of the Royal Family of Belgium. It's a bit like Buckingham Palace. It's used for official engagements or state dinners.
Entrance to Parc Royal.
We took the above photos on our quest to find Victor Horta Museum. We got terribly lost, and were almost late for the one guided tour they do a day. We had wandered so long that we finally gave up and asked someone who was working at a fruit stand. He spoke little to no English and Dutchboy speaks just a little bit of French. Between the two of them, with hand gestures and what words they could manage to share, they drew a map that led us straight to the Museum! No photos were allowed at the museum, so I'm sorry I can't share the magnificence that was Horta House Museum. It is worth all the effort to find it, all the getting lost. What wasn't worth it, was getting tripped on the tram on the way back to the hotel, and twisting my knee. I could barely walk. That didn't keep me from searching out food on the way back to the hotel.
Belgian waffles--warm, rich and decadent. It was still warm from the waffle iron, slathered in chocolate, real whipped cream that was melting slightly from the warmth of the waffle. It was...divine.
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