German Spy Museum
24 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
Next, I went to the German Spy Museum. It was geared more for kids, but it had some cool things for adults, too. There was a password strength calculator. I have a password manager which generatesЧитать далее
Topography of Terror
24 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
Last stop of the day was to a place just outside of a museum called the "Topography of Terror". This is the last part of the Berlin Wall that I saw. We passed by it yesterday, but we didn't have timeЧитать далее
To Belgium!
25 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Im off to Belgium! First part of the train ride is to Cologne. For this trip, whenever I could, I treated myself to 1st class tickets and pre-selected sest. :-D
I have a 90 min layover ther. We areЧитать далее
Speedy Thoughts
25 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Send "speedy" thought. Train is running behind schedule, and I didn't have as long before my connection as I thought. Speedy thoughts, please!
Late
25 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
We're not going to make it on time. We're going to be late getting there by about 45 minutes. I canceled my ticket and rebooked a new one. The bad news is that the new one cost €67 MORE than theЧитать далее
ПутешественникIts €67. I.e. 67 Euros. € is the sign they use instead of $
Finally
25 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
We finally made it to Cologne (Köln)! The conductor said we could exchange our tickets, so I went to see if it was too late. Since I had already canceled the original, they said I couldn't do it. OhЧитать далее
DB Lounge
25 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
One of the benefits that I get with the 1st Class ticket I bought was that I get access to the DB Lounge. Free food, soda, wine, and beer. Nice chairs. Quiet. And only a 8 min walk from the trainЧитать далее
Köhln (Cologne)
25 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
The cathedral in Cologne is beautiful! I didnt have time to go in, but after seeing it, I'll definitely go in next time!
On to Belgium!
25 июля 2025 г., Германия ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
I don't think I'll be able to go back to 2nd Class after this trip in Europe....lol.
Bruxelles Midi
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Made it to Brussels!!!!!
Hilton Garden Inn Brussels City Center
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Just checked in! It looks like this will be a nice hotel too!
Grade Place
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Here are some of the buildings in the Great Square.
Legends Walking Tours
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
The walking tour company that I used in Berlin partners with this company in Belgium. Let's see how they compare!
Guide
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
We met our guide for the evening, Maryam. And we're off!
Town hall
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
The places in this square are beautiful. However, there are a few things wrong with their Town Hall. It's not symmetrical at all.....lol. Statues are different, the windows are different, the clock isЧитать далее
Leather Tanners
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Our guide told us a story about how the leather guilde in Brussels needed something to help them with their leathermaking process. It turned out that a substance found in urine worked great. PeopleЧитать далее
First prison
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Originally, this building was a prison because it was close to square where the trials were held (Great Square). They made an underground tunnel to transport the prisoners back and forth. That tunnelЧитать далее
ПутешественникIt's a hotel now, so the tunnel is closed off on both sides unfortunately
Saint-Jean Square
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
In this square, they punished women who adulterated. They eventually put up a statue of Gabrielle Petit in the middle. It is ironic because she was very devoted to her country and her family. HerЧитать далее
Tower of the masons
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
This is part of the first wall around the city. The tower was used for prison for important trials to help make sure they didn't escape.
Water
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Water came down from this street to supply the rest of the city with water. This location, specifically, is right outside of the city wall, where the poor people lived.
Peter Bruegel
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Peter Bruegel is a famous Dutch painter who lived in Belgium. One of his paintings was called 126 Proverbs. It contains 126 proverbs from Dutch that exist in Dutch, although many have EnglishЧитать далее
Palace of Justice
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
This is the Palace of Justice. It is the largest one in the world.
Dessert
25 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Stopped back in the Grande Square for a drink and some dessert waffles! Definitely weren't authentic Belgium waffles, so I'll have to get some real ones tomorrow.
Frit
26 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Stopped for lunch and got some Frites (French fries) with garlic sauce, and a fricandelle (a porc or chicken sausage - mine was porc). The fricandelle was ok, but the fries were great!
Charles Buls
26 июля 2025 г., Бельгия ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Charles was a mayor of Brussels starting in 1881. He was a big supporter of the Flemish language in the city and even made street signs in both French and Flemish. He also fought to keep and restoreЧитать далее
That's really neat! [Sharon]