Western Europe Trip - Brussels, Belgium

This set of pictures is from the first stop on our Western Europe Trip (beginning of March, which seems like an eternity ago). I was a big fan of Brussels. If I remember correctly, we had warmer weather for most of the trip. I know at least one afternoon was rainy, but we were stuck in meetings for the duration of that day so it didn't matter too much. The weather has been so odd during this trip. Warm in February, decent in March, cold and rainy in April. But today it's finally starting to get warm and the sun is peaking it's long hid face through the clouds. Maybe just maybe it will stay dry and warm for the remaining month of the trip. Anyway, on to the pictures:

View from our hotel

 

Adam and Phil

 

In the main Square in Brussels (it was sunny but kind of chilly, if I remember correctly)

 

The tour group

 

Another view from the city center

 

A tall building (fairly self explanatory)

 

If you look at the lower part of the photograph, you can make out drinking monks. This harkens back to the tradition of monks brewing beer in Brussels (there's a special name, but it's alluding me)

 

All washed up historical figures one day end up working the street...

 

Everyone's favorite pissing little kid. That gets dressed up in something like 232 (this number is made up) different costumes. You can't really see the kid through all the clothes, though.

 

Part of the old wall. And two people that I think were speaking Italian and making out before our group of 30 Americans came upon them.

 

Two shots of a large church that looked cool (you can be the judge)

 

 

Examples of Brussel Urban Planning. I think the walls going in the wrong direction though.

 

 

Beer! Brussels has so many varieties! Like Ice Cream! But Better! (beer and ice cream are sometimes strangely combinable, though)

 

The group walking up a random Belgiesh (?) street

 

Two guys who got their heads cut off. That's what you get for standing up for what you believe.

 

A lovely day and an Art Noveu (i don't know how to spell) building

 

Me eating a waffle! sooo good.

 

The beer we drank. I forgot to eat dinner. Not so good.

 

A series of panoramas:

 

 

 

 

Geneva

So, truth be told, I've been somewhat lax in my photo posting duties. I understand you loyal readers have needs which is why I'll try to rectify the situation by posting lots of pictures in the next few days. But, of course, I can't make any promises. I do finally have some free time finally. Classes are finishing up and most of my major work is done. Our trips are over with so I've been able to hang out around Freiburg a bit more. These pictures are all from around the 2nd half of the semester, I suppose. They begin with a short one night trip to Geneva and end with the cookies that we baked last weekend (they were quite yummy). So let's get started...


Our Hotel:

 

Pretty picture:

 

Some shots from inside the United Nations building:
(They rent it out for MUN conferences on weekends)

 

 

A view out the back window of the UN building / complex. I'm fairly certain no one ever gets any work done here...

 

I've been here.

 

Empty Chair (missing a leg). Artsy (Tommy's favorite word).

 

Right across from the UN.

 

A conglomeration of birds. If it's a gaggle of geese, then what are swans?

 

An accordionist under a bridge. I swear they're all over europe. You can't not go to a city and fi

 

Trying to find the flower clock...

 

Finding the flower clock... not as cool as we thought...

 

Hiking up to a church on top of the hill

 

A cool looking church (one of the many in Europe)

 

This is the playground at the top of the hill next to the church. It's either bad english or a messed up sentiment.

 

This is actually in Brussels, but it was in the Geneva folder. You might have to make the picture to read the window...