Project: Explore Brussels!

What a week! 

Last week was a very busy week in the office, I was able to work out my plan for how I was going to split my Global Mobility role and the Brussels office HR role - the HR Manager and everyone in Brussels were all so welcoming and helpful in my first week - as well they gave me many tips on what to do in my "off-time" while I'm here.  Below is a pic of my office in the background and then me as well but you can barely make out the office in the pic, its called "The Blue Tower"

Jay and I continued to explore the city last week and weekend.  We took care of some personal stuff like signing up for the gym, opening up a checking account here,  (turns out without a Belgian bank accuont it is very hard to sign a contract at a gym, rent a bike, etc), finding the local grocery store, etc. We still need to find a place to do our laundry - not a surprise since both Jay and I HATE doing laundry and put it off as long as humanly possible!

Wednesday night we went to an incredible outdoor market by our apartment - pics soon to come, as they do this EVERY Wednesday night!  We were so impressed - at the market they were selling everything imaginable - we tried an Italian meat and cheese plate, homemade tapinade, oysters, tons of great cheeses, fruits we'ver never seen or heard of, and of course some wine and beer!  Turns out it is the place to be in Brussels on a Wednesday night so we went out for some drinks and had late night pizza at the local joint - the best pizza I've EVER had!!!  I'm looking forward to moving into our more permanent apartment where we will have a full kitchen and will be able to buy more from the market to cook each week.

Friday night we explored the Flagey neighborhood and went to the popular Belga Cafe - tons of beers on tap and a really chill atmosphere... not as great as Cafe Delirium (Jay's fave) with the 4000 plus beers, but a good second choice!

Saturday and Sunday we spent time exploring the city and the local parks and sights to see... Saturday we happened upon another market (clothes and food) in the St. Gilles area (which  was quite convenient as I was freezing my tush off and needed to buy a winter jacket - didn't quite fit in the first round of suitcases!) and then wandered around town viewing the tourist attractions.  That night we came back and booked our upcoming two weekend trips, this weekend in Ardennes (in Southern Belgium) and then the following weekend in Amsterdam to spend the long weekend when I have the day off for All Saints Day Nov 1st.  Sat night we also tried a Brazilian restaurant which was abolustely amazing!  We are starting to learn "patience" at restaurants which is something that both of us are going to have some trouble with... people definitely take their time dining out!

Sunday we explored Bois de la Cambre and the Abbey de la Cambre - both absolutely breathtaking.  What's nice is the fall is still so beautiful here!  After that we decided it was time to hit up a local pub and watch the English Premier League soccer matches that were going on, quite exciting!  From there we trekked over to "Fat Boys" (guess that's what they think of us Americans..) to watch the Patriots - of course in over time play - by that time we rolled out of the bar - WARNING for those that come to visit, Belgium beer is STRONG - just ask Jay .. especially if you've been "tasting" all day ;)

This week we are looking forward to our first live soccer game in Belgium on Thursday night, Anderlecht (the local Belgium team) vs Athens - we can't wait!!  One of my co-workers was very kind and scored us some tickets that her husband wasn't using - its much harder to get tickets to sporting events here (not many seats so not many are sold online)

More to come soon - we are having a great time and keeping quite busy, my poor brand new Kindle isn't getting much use at all!