June 11, 1968
Wake up at 6:30 am. Get ready to leave on train to Brussels.
Hear a terrible noise outside of room like a body falling down the step narrow stairs. Turns out to be a suitcase, thank God.
Have a nice breakfast brought to our little garret. Salami sandwiches, toast, jam, good coffee. At station I wander around to kill time while we get everything straight. Man wasn't let me back in so I had to wande out and around and back in again to trains. Lady looking for bed and breakfast guests talks to us. Her deal sounds real good - 3.50, lovely room. Breakfast so big table sags down. Glad when she finds a young couple who want to change their plans and take her up on it.
Train is O.K. Also, we have good lunch. Ham topped with omlet, port wine because train lady misunderstands us, delicious cookies and coffee.
Scenery is lovely. See miles of flower gardens, windmills, green houses, poulders and dikes, etc. As we hit Belgium scenery seems to change abruptly, higher ground, big trees, hills.
The city of Brussels appears very large but isn't. One long prominade in Brussles and the streets from it make 19 suburbs.
After getting taxi we discover our hotel. Hotel Astor Pension. Large , large rooms: we have 3 beds, 15 foot ceilings, and a garden patio connecting to the boys room. We have a chair bath, which is ridiculous to climb into. Upstairs are two toilets. This must have been old old mansion. Of course its shabby, but clean and roomy.
We have a trip to waterloo in the afternoon wed. First walked, long walk, to Midi station to see about our next train trip. Then take taxi to General car to see about tours.
Then walk until legs seem to be somebody elses. Much of interest. Brussels beautiful. What you would expect a European City to look like. Contrasts to old and new not as apparaent as London. Candy shops and sweets spotless and glittering. - gold trays for candies and goodies. We see such expensive shops with beautiful clothes. Stumble on Hall of Justice building. Which is the third largest edifice in the old world. See some lovers. They are surprised. Who walks here? Rest at park. It starts to rain. We walk in it anyway.
Much filigree on all buildings forming a large square. Gold leaf trimming them. They are all black and gold. In center they have flower market. Start to set out flowers late at night, ready for early morning. Crowded with many nooks for all of these young jumping people. See a couple rush into a doorway market Les Cousens (I'm still wondering about them). Another store, le Cave. The young all over seem to be completely free, way out loose morralled to me, but I don't know. They are fast paced anyway. The Mannikin is a few blocks away. Much smaller than I thought. They dress it in different outfits sometime and on certain celebration day (I've forgotten) instead of water, he wee's beer for twelve hours and everybody in town can have their fill.
More history, have to review later. We walk to these two restaurants listed in Frommer's book. Both closed. Oh before that we get caught in rain. Have to step in nearest place. We have cakes and Bar. ordinary bar it is. I guess pinball machines (Palm Beach ones)
Continue on to find restaurant. We came across one with the kitchen in front. One has to go through the kitchen to dine. Meat hanging for all to see. Very nautical and interesting - Maison Vincent. It turns out to be tops! Magnifique! Veal, Sole, wine.