Yesterday we went to a flea market and found a few treasures, then walked the area around our hotel. We are on Rue De Louise and there is every shopping possibility you can think of. From Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Christian Dior, to H&M and Zara, and lots of local boutiques in between. Not to worry, I only tried on the beautiful red-bottomed Christian Louboutin pumps, I didn't actually buy them! Today we walked to the Grand Place where the history and architecture are mind-blowing.
We also saw Little Julian--a tiny fountain that is statue of a young boy peeing. It's legendary and promises to bring good luck. It took all my strength not to buy the Little Julian souvenir wine key with the screw in a most compromising and distasteful location. Check out Little Julian lore:
http://visitbrussels.be/bitc/BE_en/monument/797/manneken-pis.do?tabbedPanelsTab=quartier&property=QUARTIERS
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| Look closely to see Little Julian in the background. |
Last night we went to a delicious restaurant called Chez Oki. We are becoming fond of strange fusions and this was no exception--Japanese/French. It was about a 10-minute walk down cobblestone streets from our hotel, and worth every ankle turn in my heels. I chose the 4-course surprise chef's menu, and the girls chose a tempura fish dish. We split all the courses of my meal, with the easy favorite being the first course. It was a "Foie gras sushi" served with a caramelized soy sauce. It was so delicious that after we ate all the other courses, we ordered another foie gras sushi! Other highlights--second course tuna/shrip sashimi ravioli, and the dessert which was a coffee creme brulee. Wish we had the restraint to stop and take photos of all of those dishes, but we were starving! Here's a link to the restaurant:
http://chez-oki.com/
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| The girls all decked out for Chez Oki |
We have also had our fair share of waffles and chocolates, of course. The only local favorite we have missed is mussels and frittes, which we plan to hunt down this evening.
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| waffle gluttony |
We are off to Dusseldorf tomorrow. One night there and we will be heading home. I am hesitant to give my girls back to their world--the one where I am driver/cook/complaint manager/social director. I have much preferred being traveling companion. But I know reality awaits and am just crossing my fingers that we can take the prospective this trip has given us back into our everyday lives. It's possible, right?
Love to all! xxoo
