Mussels in Brussels

Well, it's been a very long day. In order to drive into Stuttgart, return the car, have breakfast AND catch the train that we didn't know where to find, we had to get up very early. At least, early for holidays--though rather regular for work. I confess, I find the holiday time-to-get-outta-bed much easier than than the work-time-to-get out of bed!

The train ride seemed very long. This is, I think, because my leg hurts, and there doesn't seem to be a really comfortable position except for sticking it straight out in front of me. Of course, there wasn't much opportunity for that to happen. Also, during the first part of the trip from Stuttgart to Koln, we were in a seating area with two men, one of whom was far ruder than he needed to be. He was sitting in the wrong seat, it wasn't convenient to move (but we actually wanted to face forward) and in the end he wouldn't move, and instead took over the car table with all three of his laptop computers. That was frustrating. Then, we had all of nine minutes to de-train, hobble down the stairs, across the station, up the stairs and re-train. To top it off, once we got there, someone else was sitting in our seat, and the train was really crowded....so that meant that our luggage was scattered all over the place. It was a wee bit exhausting.

So, tonight is a quieter night. We spent the late afternoon roaming around Brussels, and of course, I ate mussels. M did not--he has no such liking--but the place we went is popular and was suggested by our tour book, the hotel, and the tourist office. We decided to give it a go, and I was quite happy with them. It was a VERY ample portion. The place was entertaining enough, but M's meal showed that really, the place is designed for mussels. After that, we topped things off with Haagen Daz!

We're also being a bit lazy. This computer is at the hotel, and we didn't search out a charming little place. We went straight for something close to the train station, because when we leave on Wednesday, that too is an early train. The internet here is relatively expensive, but then, it is right here....and today, there is far more appeal in that.

Tomorrow, I hope to go to the Museum of Musical instruments, and to visit Mary's chocolates. It's a bit out of the way, and it is supposed to be hand made, family run. I think that sounds like a place I shan't miss!