Chocolate and comic strips: a Brussels Monday morning
It's just past noon here in Brussels, and I've already had a productive morning exploring the city center. I woke up early - an old habit that seems to follow me everywhere - and decided to make the most of the morning hours before the crowds appeared.
The weather is pleasant today - cloudy but comfortable at around 21°C. Perfect for walking without getting too warm. I started my day with a strong coffee at a small café near my hotel. The barista seemed amused by my detailed questions about their brewing process. I couldn't help it; coffee rituals fascinate me.
After breakfast, I headed toward the Comic Book Route, something I'd read about before arriving. Brussels has a deep connection to comics - it's the birthplace of Tintin and the Smurfs, among others. The city has honored this heritage by painting large murals of famous comic characters on buildings throughout the center.
I found several of these murals while wandering the streets, each one more detailed than the last. There's something wonderfully whimsical about turning a corner and suddenly seeing a massive comic scene painted on the side of an otherwise ordinary building. My favorite so far is a Tintin mural where he appears to be running down a fire escape. The integration with the actual architecture is quite clever.
Around 10:00, I visited the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate - a small but interesting place that explains the chocolate-making process. Belgium's reputation for chocolate is well-earned, and the museum offers samples of different varieties. The pralines were exceptional - I may have had a few more than strictly necessary for educational purposes.
I learned that Belgian chocolate gained its reputation in the early 20th century when chocolatiers here began pioneering the praline - chocolate shells with soft fillings. The guide mentioned that there are more than 2,000 chocolate shops throughout Belgium. That's an impressive density for a relatively small country.
After the chocolate museum, I continued walking toward the Grand Place again. I'd seen it yesterday, but it deserves multiple visits. The buildings surrounding the square are remarkably detailed - all that gold leaf and ornate stonework is even more impressive up close. I sat on a bench for a while, watching tourists taking photos and locals hurrying through on their way to work.
Now I'm taking a short break at a café with decent wifi to plan the rest of my day. I'm thinking about visiting the Musical Instruments Museum this afternoon - I've heard they give you headphones that automatically play the relevant instruments as you approach different exhibits. That sounds like an innovative way to experience a museum.
I'm still getting used to the bilingual nature of Brussels. Signs are in both French and Dutch, and I never know which language to attempt first when speaking to locals. Most people switch to English as soon as they hear my accent anyway, but I like to make an effort. I've picked up a few basic phrases in both languages, though my pronunciation probably needs work.
The city has a different energy than Amsterdam - more formal in some ways, but also more diverse. I've heard at least six different languages while sitting at this café for the past half hour. There's a cosmopolitan feel that comes from Brussels' role as the de facto capital of the European Union.
I should finish my coffee and continue exploring. The afternoon looks promising with the temperature expected to rise slightly and even some sun breaking through the clouds. I'm curious to see what else I'll discover in this city today.
Journey stats:
- Day 13 of 500
- Days remaining: 487
- Chocolate samples consumed: 5 (so far)