Ma Semaine à Revue ("My Week In Review")

        I finally had the chance to stay home for a weekend! However, this meant that I missed out on a fabulous weekend in Barcelona with some of my ISA friends. But, I've travelled three weekends in a row and I needed to get some rest before I embark on the next side trip. I actually got to explore and enjoy the city of Brussels, as I should since it's where I chose to reside for 4 months. 

http://www.ilotsacre.be/images/2004Toone.JPG

        This week I went to see "Les Trois Mousquetaires" at the Théâtre Toone. It was located at the end of an alleyway in a pub that dates back to 1696. The show was all in French and lasted a little over 2 hours, including a short intermission. The marionettes were handled on a small stage in the front of the theater with one gentleman hidden in the back (who was responsible for all of the, yes, male and female, voices). I understood most of what the man was saying, but some of the voices were mumbled. So luckily, Sabine was sitting next to me and could fill me in after each scene if I was confused. It was a one hundred percent cultural experience and I'm glad that I had the chance to take advantage of the opportunity. 
       Friday night I went to "Jungle Rhum," a bar that's only a few bus stops away, for another VSG (Vesalius Student Government) night out. It was pretty cool inside with all of the music and junglesque decorations and was conveniently located as well. A group of kids wanted to head downtown from there, but that would have been completely out of the way for me, so a few of my friends and I just stopped by another bustling bar, and from there I headed home. 
        Saturday I got to sleep in and get some work done (which I, regretfully, have been putting off for the last few weeks). I met my friend for dinner near Grand Place where there's rows and rows of seafood restaurants. We got hassled by a few of the maître d's who were standing outside trying to convince us that their restaurant is the best in the area and that we really should give it a try. We actually got escorted into one--the man repeatedly told us that the first drink would be on the house and that we could sit by a beautiful fire place AND, if we weren't happy the meal would be gratuit (free). So, we sat down, but we were only given the seafood menu at first, which was très, très cher (very, very expensive)...30-40 euros per plate. But the couple sitting next to us got a cheap pizza and pasta menu (only ~10 euros) as well. I knew there was a catch. Well, my friend (Natalie) and I weren't looking to break the bank that night and without touching the pink champagne that the waiter immediately placed on our table (for free) when we sat down, we left. That was the first time that I've ever walked out of a restaurant and I felt so guilty, but the maître d' seemed to be used to it and said it was no problem. Hmmm.. After having dinner at a much less expensive, but very nice Italian restaurant, Natalie and I headed back to Grand Place for some coffee and a few Indian sweets and pastries. It was delightful and so relaxing.
        Sunday morning I finally backed up all of my computer files on an external hard drive, since someone in a Mac Store last week told me my computer might crash soon and I needed to do this asap. The hard drive that I found at Media Markt (similar to a Best Buy) on Rue Neuve was half the price of the one at the Mac store, but supposedly the best one for my computer. After that was done I wanted to do some exploring on my own. I walked to the Beaulieu metro station (15-20min) and headed down to Gare Midi for the famous Gare Du Midi Sunday Market. Notable reviewers describe it as the biggest market in Europe and here you can find anything from movies to clothes, spices, cheeses, and meats. They even sold shampoo, perfume, and cookery. It was a wild combination of sorts, but nevertheless interesting. 

"Love Bug Parade"

        On my way back to the Beaulieu metro stop, I got off at Mérode. Not realizing that almost all of the shops would be closed (since it's a Sunday), I was stuck with a grumbling belly and nowhere to go. I walked back towards the "Cinquantenaire Arch" and along the way I found a nice little Lebanese restaurant. I got a felafel pita to go and walked through a nearby park, which led me directly to the arch. Unpredictably, I stumbled upon a large antique auto show. It was called the "Love Bug Parade," which Volkswagen holds annually on the day before Valentine's Day. Well over one hundred Beetle cars, in every color you could imagine, filled the space. And so, that's the end of my week in review. Not as exhilarating as the others, but nonetheless "magnifique."  

Cinquantenaire Arch

Bonne semaine, 
Arielle