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Travel Photography. Brussels, Belgium.

Part 1

By Ashleigh Cropper

December 23^rd, 2016

Europe Adventures part 1

On April 19th, 2016 I woke up and Ian rushed out to get me a box for my birthday. He promptly placed it in front of me and begged me to open it right away. First thought, a puppy?! And it needs air?!?!? As I started to open it, out came some alfredo sauce, noodles, brie cheese, my passport, and TICKETS BOOKED to Europe!

(Side story...in 5th grade we wrote out our bucket lists before going to the big middle school! Our 5th grade teacher promised she would send us our bucket list before we graduated from high school. The day before graduating, that bucket list made it back to me. I really didn't remember what I wrote but guess what was #1 on my list?! Eat fettuccine Alfredo in an alley way in Italy! Ian has seen that bucket list every time we move and go through boxes. So he made every effort to reference that little alley way restaurant in a box for me!)

I just about had a heart attack...actually I was pretty speechless. Ian got it on camera. First concern when I opened it was that there wasn't a second ticket, so without thinking, I thought he was sending me to Europe alone! Threw tears, I asked him if he was coming! Don't worry, all happy tears and a big nod from him that we were going in October! I have waited/ tried convincing Ian to go with me for 6 and 1/2 years! I was beyond shocked, super excited, a little nervous, but overall ready for it to be October!

I lived in Spain for a semester abroad and loved it! I wouldn't say that Spain was my favorite place I explored in Europe though. I fell in love with the Bavarian countries instantly and anything Northern Europe. I promised myself that I wouldn't go to Italy or Paris without the person I married because I really wanted to experience that with whoever it would be. So although our trip was initially to Italy, we actually switched routes and changed it to the Northern countries in Europe!

First stop, and where we flew in and out of was Brussels! (Well I guess technically was Iceland since we took Icelandair and stopped their first.) Brussels was more of a pit stop for us and I think a great place to introduce Ian to Europe. It isn't really overwhelming and has some highlights, but not a lot like other big cities in Europe. The Grand Place instantly became our favorite spot. You can turn 365 degrees and there are old, historic buildings surrounding you at every turn. We found little alley ways and cute shopping areas full of fall decor. We ate Belgium waffles, frites, and of course chocolate!

Little Memories that can't be forgotten

1) Getting totally lost in the Brussels airport for over an hour. That airport is the WORST! Most confusing airport I've ever been to.

2) Grabbing a baguette, cheeses, and meats at a cute store and enjoying our first European meal together.

3) Waking up at 2 am to constant partying and music down the street. And then staying awake from 2 am - 6 am until we gave up and wandering the streets early in the morning.

4) Manneken Pis. I still don't get it! At 6 am while wandering we went to go find the famous Manneken Pis (a little statue of a boy peeing!) We found it within 2 minutes and arrived there with another tourist that didn't speak English. We looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, laughed and left. The hype is not worth it but at least we had nothing else to do early in the morning.