Day 6- Leaving the Hustle and Bustle of Brussels-Waterloo

Day 6

For now, this post is just going to be words and pictures will be tomorrow. I am tired and we have an early morning and late night planned for tomorrow, so I am saving the uploading of pictures for tomorrow.

Today we slept in after our crazy day in Paris and decided last minute to go to Waterloo. We had no idea what to expect. In fact, we thought we may just end up walking into a field with a monument, but we were pleasantly surprised. It surpassed our expectations! Today may have been my favorite day so far.

We took the train to Waterloo (about 30 minutes away) and when we arrived we saw a welcome center with an amazing gift shop, a place to watch a Napoleon Documentary, wax museum, panoramic view of battle and tour around the battlefield and a giant hill with a monument of a lion representing peace on the top of it. There are many steps (last thing we wanted to do after all the steps we climbed in Paris) to get to the top of the hill, but the view was amazing. We got great pictures of the countryside where the battlefield was at and some of the pretty scenery around it. After we went up the hill, we took the tour around the battlefield and it gave you a picture of exactly where everything happened. After that we went into the building that gave you a panoramic view of what the battle would have looked like. We than watched two Napoleon documentaries. After that we visited the gift shop and museum and headed back to Brussels. I learned so much and had such a great time in Waterloo. It is beautiful there.

When we arrived back in Brussels, we decided to change before dinner. The temperature change is incredible. It is back down to 57 degrees. We decided to head to the section of town called St. Catherine's and found a restaurant called Le Crustacean. The boys got lobster and had a great time eating it! After that, we explored a Hungarian market set up outside. Phil found some delicious bread for tomorrow morning and some honey for our tea at home.

Sorry this post is weak right now. I will update it better tomorrow. :-) Amsterdam tomorrow. Can't wait.

Day 5- Parading in Paris

Day 5

Paris. Do I need to say more? I had been looking forward to this day for a long time. I had been there before and absolutely loved it, but I wasn't sure if it would feel the same the second time. Although the newness of the city was gone, it was that same feeling of LOVE. Paris has a certain energy that is contagious. There are many things that draw people to it. It's busy, cheery, pretty, bustling, international and warm. Those words don't really do it justice, but I try my best. Although, I'm drawn to Paris' charm, I will admit that when we arrived back to Brussels, I felt relieved. To me, Paris does not feel like a home to live in. It is a town to see, make memories in and leave. The very things that draw people to it, could very easily steer them away. Enough ramblings for tonight...let me get on to our day.

We began our day on the speed train. It only took us 1 1/2 hours to get to Paris. It is a really fun thing to do. (The U.S. has really dropped the ball on this!) When we arrived we mapped out our plans for the day. We decided on the whirlwind tour! We tried to see as much as we could in one day. A lot of this time was spent in the metro getting from one place to the next.

A picture of us by the map!

After we figured out our plan, we began at Notre Dame. We even got to hear a local school choir sing some hymns inside. The music echoed throughout the church. It was wonderful.

After we got out of the metro

After we went to Notre Dame, we headed to the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately when we arrived the top was closed. The wait for the elevator was ridiculous and Phil and I didn't really feel like climbing up all the stairs to go up to the part we had seen before. We decided to go take some pictures where we could see the whole building, and Lou Ann, Gary and Patrick decided to face all the stairs!

On the way to the Eiffel Tower

Amazing street that we found

After the Eiffel Tower, we took the the metro over the the Arc de Triumph. None of us had ever seen this or been to the top, so this was a completely new experience. Although you have to walk up even more stairs, it is totally worth it. The view from the top is amazing.

This picture looks so fake for some reason!
Inside the Arc
View from the top

After we finished at the Arc, we headed towards the Moulin Rouge area. We finished up some shopping there and ate dinner until we left for the speed train.

Gary bought some corn from a vendor on the road.
Phil and I in the streets.

Outside the Cathedral



In the scary trolley.
Saying goodbye to Paris

Overall, it was a great day. Although it was a whirlwind, we saw so many great things and made so many memories. We are so grateful for the opportunity to see so many of God's amazing earth!

Day 4- Taking a Break in Brussels

Day 4

After reading yesterday's post, I'm sure you understand why we decided to take a break in Brussels. We decided that we needed to rest up and take it easy after our crazy adventure with the bikes.. We slept in and ate breakfast and decided to try and stay indoors to avoid becoming overheated. Today was the perfect day to check out some museums in the city and take in the scenery on the walk there.

On our walk to the museum.

The royal palace again.

They fixed the gardens today. Looks so much better.

If you look closely, you can see the guard protecting the gate.

Phil and I outside of the royal gate.

The first museum we went to was called the Museum of Musical Instruments. This is a picture from the 10th floor observatory.

Here is another view.
They give you headphones so that when you get close to the different instruments you can hear what it sounds like.
Here are our little volume controls.
We saw many different instruments.

I thought this thing was so crazy! I am not sure what it is called.
This is the process of what it looks like to build a piano.
No matter where I go, many children on field trips will find me.
Listening to some of the instruments.

This is a picture of an instrument that sounds like the top of glasses when you get them wet! Isn't that crazy? I have never seen one before.

Phil listening to some french horns.
Patrick listening to some woodwinds.
Lou Ann and Gary walking around together.
:-)
After we finished at the musical instrument museum, we headed to the information center to find out about some more museums in the city. We decided to go to the Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van Belgie. (LOL) We were able to look at artwork anywhere from 1200-1600. It was amazing. A lot of the art had Biblical themes, so it was fun to try and figure out the story that went with the picture. (We couldn't read the signs. Ha Ha)

I picked up a shirt in the information center.

Pat and Lou Ann looking through the travel brochures.
Nothing is superimposed about this picture.
Pat with the museum behind him.
Phil liked this picture.
This was such a beautiful place!This is a picture of what the museum looked like downstairs. We were on the second floor to look at all the different pieces.


After we finished at the museum, we headed back to the hotel to rest and relax before dinner. (We made our usual stop at Haagen Dazs as well.) We decided to eat at Italian restaurant a few streets away from our hotel called Altro Mondo. It was so delicious! Here are some pictures of us enjoying the meal!