Breakfast in Brussels

Today's passport stamp may look a little different. Note the train in the corner. And it says left London... and doesn't say where I went. 

Look at me! I'm different.

Brianne, Jeremy, Jenny and I left at 540 am on Saturday to catch a train to Belgium. Being a nervous flyer, it was a nice change of pace for me. Except for the screaming baby whose parents decided not to do anything about it.

Eurostar

Now being in Brussels for a mere 8 hours meant we had to be strategic about what we wanted to see. And luckily it is a small city that is easy to conquer.

As soon as we figured out where the heck to go...

Hey Guys!

But once we did... we took the pretty streets of Brussels.

Grand Place

Now the big attraction in Brussels is the statue of the peeing boy. Homage to him is everywhere...

But when we were there he was dressed like this...

Carnival! Peeing boy.

A little bit of a bummer but it was funny as hell.

Next was the Cathedral. Which was very different than most. It wasn't gothic at all inside.

And there was a lot more to see.

Best jump shot!

Grand Palace

Mercedes Museum

Like my new car?

And all that stuff  was amazing. But the real reason we went to Brussels was the food. We lived on a balanced Belgian diet.

Waffles

Yes, that is a waffle truck.

Chocolate

Beer

And fries

All and all, it was the best way to spend a day. In a lovely city, in another country, with delicious food and good people.

This weekend is a change of pace.
AMSTERDAM!

Peace out.

Exploring an ancient world

Finally getting caught up with Italy.

The Saturday during our trip Jenny and I jumped a 615 am tour bus to Naples and the ancient city of Pompeii.

The trip was... okay. It was definitely the easiest way to see those place and Pompeii was AMAZING... but Naples really didn't do it for me. The only pretty place was right on the coast.

Also a little bit of a damper was the food. We went to a restaurant for a free meal from the tour and this was the only option for people who don't eat beef.

Yes, it was as gross as it looks.

But along the way we stopped at a local jewelry shop that makes jewely by carving shells. It was so pretty

And I got my Italian souvenir 

Carved from a local Mediterranean shell

And after that we finally arrived in Pompeii! It was one of the most incredible sites ever.

A casted man

  

And after a 3 hour tour we headed home.. but not without seeing Vesuvius 

And that was the last picture I took before it erupted... 

Tehe just kidding!

And with that, I am all caught up on my travels ad just in time. Because tomorrow... i go to...

BRUSSELS! 

But just going for the day because everywhere in Europe is just a short train ride away!

I will check in after my time in Belgium.

ROMA!... and my return

Hello!

So sorry I have been in blog blackout. But time to finally catch up. London has been a little crazy since I got back. Disney has been amazing though. Definitely the greatest place I have ever worked. I love it. But first... REST OF ITALY TRIP.

After Jenny and I spent wednesday in Florence we left for Rome Thursday morning. We we got there.. we put our things in the hostel and had to move on to more important things like pizza and the Pope.

First Roman Food!

Once our bellies were full... onto the Vatican!

Basillica San Pedro

wax pope... creepy

Next... sistine chapel! Which according to every person we asked.. was to the left. They forgot to mention the GO AROUND THE HUGE WALL part.

But once inside...

Illegal picture... shhh don't tell anyone.

Sometimes you worry that after hearing about something you're entire life, it might disappoint in reality (mona lisa is really not that cool...sorry Leo) But the sistine chapel... was breath taking. We sat in the room for 30 minutes marveling.

Then it was on to other sites of Rome...

The Trevi fountain was so pretty! Of course I made my wish... it was nice during the day... but at night...

... amazing. The girls and I stopped by after this dinner

Best Gnocci... ever

 We sat by the fountain sipping nice Italian wine. Life could literally not have been better.

Salute.

The next day... Jenny and I had a mission:  conquer Rome.  Starting with this bad boy.

Hello Colosseum!

Ancient Rome was magnificent. And the weather could not have been better.

So excited!

Hello Forum!

All that Ancient Rome made me Hungry. It was time for a good meal

Then it was off to the Spanish steps... yes more steps. We love them.

But the view was worth it.

Sunning on the spanish steps. Not  a bad way to end the day.

Our last day in Rome was more of the standard awesomeness.

Sites

And great food that still haunts my dreams.

And with that last lick of Gelato... it was Ciao Roma!

Next post... our day trip to Naples Pompeii!