Belgium

Brussels
We rolled into the European capital after a simple 3 hour train ride. A quick tram into the centre of town and pretty much to the door of our hostel. We were told by the hostel staff that an annual street picnic was on so we naturally strolled into a nearby supermarket and grabbed some biscies and hummus. The Belgium people are different… We found a thousand strong crowd making themselves at home on the main road in town. The local coppers had shut off all four roads into the biggest intersection and the masses spread out their rugs, unfolded the card tables and chairs and delved into their bulging picnic baskets. All afternoon the roads remain closed and the Brussels community just chill out on the main road.

 After spending an hour or so with the locals we trekked off in amongst the city streets, taking in the hidden gems in the form of shops, cafe's and well placed wall art on former boring walls. Eventually we located the famous waffle outlet and ordered two regular setups (icing sugar only) and they didn't disappoint. To add insult to injury we ordered the 2nd most famous dish in these parts no longer than 20 minutes later. Belgian's to this day will tell you they came up with the fries idea before the French; they sell you cone shaped cardboard full of beautiful chips covered in your choice of 10+ sauces. Although assaulting the arteries, they are amazing on the taste buds.

During the evenings we cooked and enjoyed the French Open finals and Euro soccer qualifiers before retiring to our private room on the top floor of the hostel exuding a lofty sought of feel, complete with bath and skyline windows.

Ghent
A quick train ride up to the city of Ghent. Arriving around midday we caught the tram 5 minutes out of town to our hostel. Not just any accommodation, but a barge hostel floating on one of the stunning canals that glide though the city. Very cool setup they have on the boat with great facilities, comfy little private and chill out rooms and everything is eco friendly! After checking in we headed out into some average weather but a very 'well worth it' city. We have to recommend the 'Use It' maps that we discovered back in Brussels. They seem to be a non-for-profit travel agency that produce very cool maps for many European cities and small drop in centres run by volunteers that dish out info about the cities/transport as well as free tea and coffee. Look them up! This cool map took us to some great little gems including cafe's, bars, parks and a very interesting psych museum that took us through the history of mental healthcare along with a neighbouring art gallery full of works done by people with mental health illnesses. Art…. one thing that these unfortunately blessed people can match any other human in. Seems to be a platform for all.

After a morning at the psych museum we trammed back into town and discovered the best waffle I have consumed to date. "Halves" we suggest and agree on. Before walking 50 metres and finishing the first we were on our way back for another. It seems to be a simple batter with what looks to be brown sugar balls mashed in randomly. After being in the waffle'er for a minute or so, what comes out is nothing short of perfection!! Later that day we referred back to our map which suggested a traditional, local eatery for dinner so off we went after the standard afternoon guts-up. It didn't disappoint and with full bellies we jumped into a little pub to watch the Germans take on the Dutch in the Euro soccer. Really recommend a visit to Ghent, obe of my fav's.