Travel - American style

If I have heard it once, I have heard it 20 times during my 4 weeks (so far) in Europe. Americans are criticized because they come over and spend 2-3 days in an European city, then move along to another city. The complaint is that one cannot possibly see all there is to see and absorb all the culture in such a short time. I agree, but sadly, what other option do we have? We get a pitiful amount of vacation -we get 3 weeks and to their average of 5 weeks. AND they are so much closer to other COUNTRIES, much less other cities. (I flew from London to Brussels in 45 minutes!!) At least I am here, trying to see as much as possible and absorb it all. So, if there are any Europeans reading this - cut Americans some slack!

Brussels decided that if you can't beat the city hoppers, join 'em. They created "Mini Europe", a park where you can tour Europe in a few short hours. It reminded me of a mini-golf course, but without the golf clubs...and no golf balls or holes, and add in lots of miniatures of famous European landmarks. So...almost same.

We had a poorly organized book that sort of correlated with what we saw. Being the super patient person I am, I quickly ditched the book and just took pictures of what I thought was cool. But Euro-nerd Ryan read up on it and told me things about each stop.

I liked this one because it reminded me of dad and uncle Norm. Trains are always cool.



Not sure what this is...Ryan??



Looks like the real thing, huh? Once you get up close, it is pretty flimsy.



Leaving France.... taking a short chunnel ride on the Eurostar.... I think this chunnel is not to scale....



We end up in England! Parliament and Big Ben... I was amazed. What a neat job it would be to build these things....


My official dorky act for the day....

The weird looking thing in the background is the Atomium. It was built for the World's Fair in 1958. It represents an iron molecule.....and you can even go up in it!

Guy and I went to real Sacre Coeur....we never knew there was a "front" entrance.



Detailed replica of ruins, it looked so real. Except I towered over it and the water slide in the background detracted just slightly.



Little itty bitty Pope. I want to know if those doors open.


This was the funniest thing there...I am not sure which country/city this represents (I am sure it was somewhere in that book). The little silo would "burst" into flames. Then the sirens would sounds and those 2 fire boats pulled up. Water shot forth from the little water hoses that sprayed the entire pavement area and the surrounding hillside, but completely missed the actual flaming building. If you look, you can the the ship on the right spraying the air. Calibration needed on Fire boat 2!!!!



There, I have satisfied my European critics! I did all of the EU in 2 hours - a record!

That wraps up Belgium. It was a great weekend and I owe a debt of gratitude to my tour guide, host and friend. It really makes visiting a foreign country much easier when you have a local with you. I was once told to never say good bye to a country, because it would be sad to think that I would never see those places again. So I will say - I'll see you soon, Belgium!