So many beers, so little time...

Hello from Brussels, the capital of Europe. This is my fourth trip to Brussels, but the first for pleasure. It's Judy's first time in this centuries-old city.

Danielle, Judy and Pol

Brussels is an enormously interesting city and is rich in history. For the casual visitor, to be honest, it has limited sightseeing charms. Nevertheless, the highlight of this stop has been the chance to spend time with our friends Pol and Danielle vanden Ende. Pol and I became friends while we both worked for Honeywell – me in Phoenix, Pol in Brussels. We haven't seen each other in about 10 years, so it has been great catching up with him face to face.

We spent yesterday evening and Pol and Danielle's home in Rebecq, a pastoral farming village just outside Brussels. After a delicious dinner at their home and much conversation, we made our way to La Taverne Du Moulin, a local pub located in a mill dating back to the 1100s.

Ah, beer! Have I mentioned lately that Belgium is the most amazing country in the world for beer? Lambic beers, abbey beers, brown ales, wit beers. You name it, they've got it. I'm not going to go into a lot of detail here about the subject. Suffice it to say that both Pol and I love Belgian beers, and it was good to get a chance to once again indulge our passion.

Pol and Dan

Today, after a visit to Brussels' famed Gran Place and surrounding attractions (including the city's symbol, Mannekin Pis), we met Pol at Cafe Mort Subite, downed a quick lunch and a beer or two and set out through Brussels on foot. Later, we met up with Danielle at the Hotel Metropole, a sumptuous old hotel where I used to stay on Honeywell business trips. Another beer or two, and it was off to dinner. Finally, we said our adieus, and it was back to our B&B.

Speaking of our B&B – in contrast to the comfortable but slightly cramped quarters we've had at other stops on our trip, we're in a huge room at the Brussels Guesthouse. Plenty of room to spread out, which is a nice change.

Tomorrow, we board a train for a day trip to Brugge, in northwest Belgium. Brugge is a stately, gorgeous city known as the Venice of the North. Lots of sightseeing, canal boat riding and, of course, eating and drinking ahead. We haven't had any Belgian waffles or chocolate yet, so we'll have to indulge tomorrow. Must – go – on – diet – back – in – Phoenix!! Must – go – on – diet – back – in – Phoenix!!