11 May 2012

Benelux #1

Crossing into the Schengen Zone was more difficult than usual. We got stuck right outside the 'Chunnel' for about 90 minutes. Good thing Sam and I had a pack of cards and a power outlet to run his laptop. Eurostar trains are generally a fantastic service, so don't take my comments as complaints; it only added to the adventure. Plus we sat with a few lively British couples that were not lacking in funny quips or jabs at the delay.

Holland and I are on great terms. The Dutch and I see eye to eye on many things, I resonate with quite a bit of the national 'personality' of Netherlands. I was excited to get back and show Sam around and above all, visit my family! But before we arrived in Amsterdam, we had to make a pit-stop in Brussels.


Our two objectives for Brussels were very simple, foremost was to eat what I call the "Belgian Trifecta" which is comprised of: Belgian chocolate, Belgian fries, and of course, Belgian waffles. We also wanted to spend a few hours walking around the city and get a feel for it. We arrived a little late in the afternoon, but luckily we got right into our hostel and out the door (with a top-notch tip for a good place to look for waffles).

Within a few hours, we had gloriously accomplished our goal. More on that success in my upcoming food post.

We also enjoyed walking around the city and stopping in on random cathedrals and telling Jack Handy jokes and Nacho Libre quotes to pass the time. 6 miles later, we had gotten our fill of Brussels, but still made room for a few more of those divine waffles. p.s. “When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or waffle heaven, choose waffle heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not...mmmmmmm boy!!"

We woke up and booked some train tickets to Amsterdam the next morning. I love trains, and there are few places more lovely to train through than Holland. This year has been kinda schizophrenic in its weather patterns from what the locals said, but nonetheless it was breathtaking to see the orderly housing plots, canals, and tulips fields once again.

Once we rolled into Amsterdam, the adventure really took on a few twists.






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