Brussels with Nick 2023
Table Of Contents
- Setting Out For Europe May 13, 2023
- Andrew Delivers Me May 14, 2023
- Retrieving Valoria May 15, 2023
- Nick Arrives May 16, 2023
- Brusselin’ Around May 17, 2023
Setting Out For Europe
May 13, 2023 By TheCuriousCyclist Filed Under Advice Tagged With brussels23
It’s like I’m already in Scotland!
My cute little collection of money from Foreign Parts
Very compactable duffel bags for flying with the bulky touring stuff.
An extra bag and mattress… But how to fit them in the luggage?
Partway through the final disassembly.
This tangle of extra weight put the box over 70 pounds. Drat!
Okay, this time I need to remember how all these bolts go. Perhaps this photo will help.
The duck horn is on the ‘must not lose’ list for sure.
Good grief. Is there usually this much stuff to wrangle?
Andrew Delivers Me
May 14, 2023 By TheCuriousCyclist Filed Under Advice, Amused, Introspection Tagged With brussels23
Classy transport to the airport.
Hooray for vans! Everything fits.
LET’S DO THIS.
I don’t know which adds more personality… This or the pile of random parts next to it.
Look at those tiny little wheels! They actually did the job!
What, are they trying to make me homesick before I leave?
Ready to move luggage or star in a Space Invaders sequel…
The skin of the plane.
HURR I WILL MOVE ALL YOUR CRAPOLA
I’ve always been fascinated by the complexity of the hardware inside jet wings.
Bye England! See you again soon!
Oh look, my bike is already on the plane ahead of me! Airtags are awesome.
The hotel gave me a shuttle run exclusively for my box and gear.
Assembly begins later. First I need to get another bike…
Retrieving Valoria
May 15, 2023 By TheCuriousCyclist Filed Under Curious Tagged With brussels23
Now that I have a spare moment, it’s time for a snack.
The best I can do is a train that passes my hotel and drops me back at the airport. Way better than none!
Thanks for the roadblocks. Arrr!
Not the creepiest place I’ve dragged my bike. But certainly on the chart.
Nick Arrives
May 16, 2023 By TheCuriousCyclist Filed Under Curious, Happy Tagged With brussels23
Outside with a big empty box! More travel logistics…
Hmmmm; that’s not gonna work.
Wrapped up and set behind the shipping counter. Handoff complete!
You mess with a bike, you get greasy hands. This is the life you choose.
Time to board a train with some very heavy bikes!
Welcome to Brussels! Nick wanted a photo next to the Smurfs.
Into the crowd we go, seeking snacks.
Tired but ready to explore.
Good ol’ St. Nick!
I didn’t even know this church was here. Apparently it’s been here a very long time. It was originally part of a chunk of the city defense walls around Brussels.
Frozen in the act of bestowing wisdom no doubt.
Contemplating.
A nice little square.
Too bad we couldn’t go inside and poke around.
A dramatic way to fill a fountain!
Reminds me of cats I know…
Now that is serious ‘stache.
This looks like a reference to some legend about explorers being led by a local guide. It’s probably apocryphal. (I mean, the explorers probably just stabbed the guide.)
Not sure who this is supposed to be, but their position over the door is welcoming…
BLEEEAAAAARRRRRGGH
CONTEMPLATE YOUR GOOSEY FATE.
What better thing to immortalize in bronze than agony and dread?
My favorite thing about this is the rope they tied to keep it from spinning around.
In case you didn’t notice Mary, there’s a spotlight to point her out.
When he saw the camera, he demanded we take his picture.
The proprietors.
Meanwhile, the locals are so bored with the square they’d rather just doom-scroll.
So many smokers in Europe. Even young people. I’m finding it hard to get used to.
Another anonymous tourist. The light was good, so I pressed the button.
Every now and then, the Belgians feed a bird some waffle.
People love to do video chats in the middle of the square, to show the folks back home where they are.
Hustlin’
I don’t know who they are, but the light was good.
Belgian pride!
Welcome to the land of snacks!
Sweets from Syria.
No matter where you are in the world, you’ll find sticker tags.
Bikes often get to go both ways down a street that’s one way only for cars. It’s helpful, but a bit harrowing.
You can’t do this! Unless you’re on a bike!
I’m not sure when this food truck last moved anywhere!
Saving the cobbles for later.
Mysterious narrow alleyway…
So much to see!
Nick thought this was epic.
A plaintive though somewhat rambly note glued to a wall.
Seems like there are even more bicycles here than two years ago.
Locked up while we explore on foot.
I just love all these different vertical surfaces.
So many corners… A feast for the eyeballs.
Spot the hidden cameras!
A super cool restaurant window.
Nice to see that restaurant from a few years back is still thriving.
I know I took a picture of this two years ago, but… LOOK AT IT!
The Force guides his every waitering move.
I thought I’d had tiramisu before. I was WRONG.
Got some free time… Let’s make some repairs!
I wonder how many times this happens…
The bike looks odd without the seat.
Straightening some bent links with the help of the pliers.
You mess with the bike, you get the grease.
If not for regular sweeping, this alley would be deep, crunchy pit of cigarette butts.
Brusselin’ Around
May 17, 2023 By TheCuriousCyclist Filed Under Curious, Happy Tagged With brussels23
Not great, but at least I don’t feel totally dead.
So many baked goods, so much wifi… How will I consume all of it?
Seen this in several different cities. Same material, same subject matter. Why care for a dog when you can evoke sympathy with a fake one?
More sticker tag mayhem. Each one is a little self-contained mystery.
Bike cops are the best cops!
Back out into the brightness.
We went through the doors thinking there was a grand hall inside. No; but there was this charming courtyard.
It’s official!
Our hotel has a pretty subtle entrance.
These sidewall generators always make me cringe a bit from how inefficient they are. But, better than riding in the dark, of course…
Time for Nick and I to crash the cathedral!
Communing with the …. Instagram.
Looks like there used to be some amazing gold leaf painted onto this. That must have been splendid!
I remember being fascinated with this last time.
I assume this has something to do with hell and the devil.
It’s the cathedral in the cathedral. I smell a Dan Brown plot device…
“Hey can we get one of those ‘don’t tread on me’ flags in here? No? Alright, just asking.”
Eerie artistry.
Do you feel insignificant?
Add to your collection of heroic figures: The Jaws Of Life Operator.
There he is, getting ready!
A very modern building that curiously seems to blend in with everything else.