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Not including today, I have only five more days left in Europe. This time has gone by like a trip on the autobahn…a blur. And I still have things I need to do before I leave.
I’ve had more adventures here that I have not yet blogged about. So you all get to “enjoy” our European adventures even after I’m back living in the states.
One of the things that’s been setting me into a slight panic before I leave, is what to take with me. There was less panic each time I left the US, because I knew I’d be back and friends would be visiting (with prizes). Leaving Italy was another story. Even though we have a few cities near us with decent areas of authentic Italian restaurants (pizza!), groceries, and pastry shops, it’s never the same as the real thing. So what to bring home? I missed a few things even while living here in Belgium. Luckily I had a chance to go back to Milan last month and pick up a few things I missed. Now I turn to my time in Belgium and think about what I’ll miss. What can I bring with me? Not much. Most of the things I love here in Belgium are perishable. Or are extremely heavy (beer!). But I’m sure there will be at least one box of pralines for us in my baggage. I can’t take too much, since I’ll also be traveling with the cats.
Traveling with two cats is strange. It makes me sick to my stomach with stress and worry. And I’m sure they’re not too happy while traveling either. I could be guessing this from the constant meowing and the cowering in the back corner of their kennels. Keep your fingers crossed for us on the return to Boston! I’ll be documenting the trip so that I can blog about our experience. A lot of good information came from people who wrote about their harrowing pet travels on blogs and websites. I am going to do my best to pay it forward. Plus it will keep me busy, which will easy the worry a bit.
Chris probably won’t start missing things for a while since he will probably have to come back to Europe a few times this year (and he’ll be in Italy two weeks after I leave). And he’s associated this year with a lot of hard work, where it’s just been one big adventure (and housework) for me.
When you travel, do you always bring something with you that you can’t do without? Food, books, music, clothing, etc? Add a comment about it, or answer one of the following (click on “comment” to bring you to the comment section):
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If you were leaving the US to live in a foreign country, what would you need to take with you (that you didn’t think you could get in the new country)?
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What do you think you’d bring back from Italy (even if you’ve never been there)?
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What would you bring home from Belgium?
I’m curious to hear about what others think about the comforts of home, and of course souveniers from life.
I’m most certain that this is my last blog until I get home next week. Like I said, I got a ton of stuff to do still. Until then (and since there are no photos in this post) please feel free to enjoy the photos in my flickr…photos usually make it there before I blog about them.
A bientot and ciao!
Belgium has great chocolate. Belgium has great bread. Put the two together and you have a great breakfast (or anytime) treat.
Sunday: Jacques Callebaut Matinettes And Granules
While at a dinner with Chris’ coworkers, we were told that there was chocolate that you could get to put on bread to eat for breakfast. This is one of those times when I wasn’t quite sure if the person was kidding around with the Americans, or this tale of chocolate on toast for breakfast was true. I’m well acquainted with Nutella, so I figured I’d check out the grocery for this toast chocolate.
And deep in the rows of the local grocery, I found the treasure I was seeking: Jacques Callebaut granules and matinettes.
Some Chocolate you just find by accident.
Saturday: Frederic Blondeel
We found Frederic Blondeel when searching for the Delirium Bar. A bar that supposedly has 2000 beers.
Thought their website does not do justice to the elegance of their shop, it does give you an idea of their selection.
The shop is located in Place Saint Catherine. The square that is famous for it’s seafood restaurants (very plentiful in this square). There is a Metro stop for St. Catherine…so it’s hard to miss!
In addition to the amazing chocolate selection, the shop also serves The, Cafe, Chocolat Chaud (Hot Chocolate), and other various beverages. It is decorated in earth tones and has some beautiful columns that I can’t begin to explain…just gorgeous. I wish my photos captured the warmth and rich atmosphere of this shop. We enjoyed the shop alot, including the open chocolate workshop in the back. We sat and had espresso, it’s excellent! Although beware that they were about twice as big as an espresso you’d get in Italy (these were more like a double shot size).
The shop
