Location: Brussels, Belgium

Meag: Today started off pretty uneventfully, the usual hostel toast breakfast (bleh) then we packed up and checked out before heading to the train station. We had to go up a very steep hill to get to the bus stop, so Savanna was basically hunched over at a 45 degree angle climbing with her backpack. It was quite a sight to see. (S: don’t I sound attractive.)

We hopped on the train and arrived within a few hours in Brussels. Aside from some initial metro confusion and surprise by the number of heavily armed soldiers, it has been perfectly lovely so far. Our hostel is nice and close to the historic centre and the beds are very comfy… I passed out very quickly for an impromptu nap.

Sav: While Meaghan napped I did research on Brussels and everything we might want to see. 75% of my list included beer, waffles and chocolate. A testament to our travel diet I would say. Finally I became so hungry that I had to wake Meags up for dinner. We decided to go over to a Japanese ramen place a few blocks away and then on the way there we were greeted with the sweetest of surprises. Another Christmas market! How does this keep happening?! European Christmas markets are amazing! In Brussels they actually call it ‘Winter Pleasures’ as it is the second most diverse city in the world, with 60% of residents not being born or raised here, and hence a good portion of the population not being Catholic.

We decided to forego the noodles in favour of a savoury crêpe and pizza ‘boulles de noël’, topping the evenings food off with baggies of assorted homemade Belgian gummies and chocolate. After briefly exploring what promises to be an infinitely interesting market, we wrapped up and got our frozen butts home to the hostel.

M: It was pretty late by this point, so we hung out for a little bit before I was somehow very tired again and passed out. Apparently Christmas markets are tiring! We’ll be back tomorrow well rested and dressed warmly.

S&M

(P.S. Our blog is somehow currently in the top 5 TravelPod blogs…whaaaaaaaat?!)