Things I've Learned From Belgium

The four basic food groups are french fries, mussels, chocolate, and beer.
     Remember in the movie "Elf" where he says that the four main food groups are candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup?  Well...he was wrong!  In Belgium, the main four main food groups that everyone (or at least us) ate everyday were french fries, mussels, chocolate, and beer.  Perhaps, not the healthiest diet, but we were walking a lot to make up for it!

It rains a lot there, too.
     We had only one day during our stay in Belgium that didn't rain at least a little.  Maybe we're bringing the terrible weather with us, but I hope it doesn't follow us to Amsterdam.

They have really good (and strong) beer--and they're very proud of it!
     You've noticed that we've been drinking a lot of beer on this part of the trip, and there is a good reason for it.  Belgian beer is delicious!

Swans can make any city more romantic.
     The swans swimming through the canals somehow made the city even more perfect.  Imagine if Rochester had hundreds of swans instead of geese.  Perhaps, we would have been known for more than the Mayo Clinic!

Waffles can be eaten any time of day.
     Belgians eat their waffles for an afternoon snack with nothing on them, but they also offer them with caramel and chocolate sauces, fruit, and sugar.  The possibilities are endless (and worth experimenting with when we get home!)

French fries can (and should) be topped with more than just ketchup!
     I love ketchup, so I was a skeptic when it came to other French fry toppings; however, I now have to admit that I have been converted.  I think my favorite combination was mayonnaise, thousand island dressing (sort of), and dill vegetable relish.



Kari's Top Three of Belgium:
-The picturesque views of Bruges
-Amazing chocolate
-Rochefort 10 (my favorite Belgian beer)

Jeremy's Top Three of Belgium:
-Bruges
-Belgian Beer
-French Fries

Things we would like to do someday...
-Bike in Bruges--We had plans to bike to the North Sea and/or the Belgium/Netherlands border, but the weather didn't cooperate.
-Tour a Trappist brewery--I don't know if this is even possible, but we have left with a new appreciation for this type of beer and would like to learn more!
-Day trip to a smaller village--We are very glad that we slowed down for a day in Brussels, but if we ever get back to Belgium, we would like to at least day trip to a smaller city to get a different perspective of the country.