Weekend in Brussels

We stayed close to home this weekend and enjoyed a few things on offer in Brussels. First, Eliot and I took Chris to the toy and English book library we found this week. The toy library is Francophone and offers toys for babies to pre-teens. We've borrowed puzzles and a few simple games. I was just wondering if it was time to buy new toys because, even with toy rotation, Eliot is too familiar with the toys we have here. But - I don't want to buy toys because I will just have to sell them when we leave. A library offers the perfect solution! In the same building is a children's library with all English books. Now we can get new books more regularly. Eliot has shown that he can sit through long picture books, which is really fun - although bed time can take a lot longer. We got some different toys and books at the libraries and took one of the toys - a plastic ride-on motor scooter - to a park near the library. We enjoyed the mild, sunny weather and then it was time for nap. Shopping and skyping rounded out the day.

Sunday, we were planning to go to Western Belgium to tour some WWI sites if it was sunny or to some Brussels museums if it was rainy. In the morning it was pouring, so we set our sights on the museums. As we were driving into the city (parking is easy on Sundays) with rain pelting the car I was so glad we would not be outside the whole day. The rain let up by the time we'd parked the car and the rest of the day was sunny if a bit windy. Hmmmm. Sneaky weather. We stopped first at the Belgian comic strip museum. We forgot the camera, so the website is the best I can offer. The best part of the museum was the Smurf exhibit. Yes - the Smurfs are Belgian! Eliot enjoyed watching some Smurf clips, giggling through the slapstick parts. We saw little models of a Smurf house, piano, excercise equipment, and clothing. The other part of the museum that made the most sense to us was the TinTin exhibit. TinTin is one of the most famous Belgian cartoons although it was new to me when we arrived. The metro stop closest to us is decorated a la Tin Tin. (See photo)

Next stop was the BellVue museum of Belgian history, located in the Royal Palace, which was reason enough to go. We learned a lot about Belgian history. I'd forgotten that the country was so young, created in 1830. They had to find a king and chose a German prince. We learned that the park where we have enjoyed strolls, waffles, and the playground was a battleground between the Dutch and the Belgian bourgeoisie. The line of battle went around the fountains. Here is a photo of us eating in the park back in the summer. (Can't wait for summer's return!) It is peaceful now. We played there again after Eliot awoke from his stroller nap. Other museum exhibits explained the conflicts between French- and Flemish-speaking Belgians in a helpful and non-judgemental way.

Next weekend we head to Krakow, Poland. Should be interesting - and cold according to weather forecasts.....