It turns out that I went to Brussels to eat.

I thought that I went to get away from Sofia's winter and to explore Brussels but while there I spent a large portion of my time eating (and drinking).

For the record, that makes for a pretty great holiday.

[caption id="attachment_4435" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Kriek Boon Belgian Beer "]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4435" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7111/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4435 " title="Kriek Boon Belgian Beer " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7111-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4442" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="My first Belgian Beer in Brussels "]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4442" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7112/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4442 " title="My first Belgian Beer in Brussels " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7112-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

As it turned out the weather in Brussels was more or less the same as in Sofia. I had to wear my winter coat, scarf, hat and gloves and once or twice after being outside I thought: burr, I could really use my long-underwear but I didn't bring it with me. Even though it was cold, I saw more of the sun than I'd seen recently in Sofia so that was nice.

So as luck would have it cold weather plus plenty of walking around, Belgian beer and a variety of semi-sinful treats made for a wonderful weekend away.

What follows will either wow your or make you shake your head in disbelief. Either way, I hope that you enjoy the photos and a glimpse of my holiday through food.

Oh and I did do more than just eat but that's another post. <!--more-->

[caption id="attachment_4437" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Belgian Waffles"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4437" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7175/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4437 " title="Belgian Waffles" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7175-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4438" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Waffle Stand near Manneken Pis"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4438" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7171/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4438 " title="Waffles near Manneken Pis" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7171-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4436" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Waffle Up-close "]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4436" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7174/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4436 " title="Waffle Up-close " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7174-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

I went to Brussels with my friend S. We had a great time together. We wandered around the city. Took lots of photos. Ate a lot of food. Meandered some more and then ate some more.

We (gasp) didn't hit up a single museum but that's how it works sometimes. I guess you could say that we soaked up modern-Brussels and we had a blast doing it.

[caption id="attachment_4439" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Chimay Blue "]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4439" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7214/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4439 " title="Chimay Blue " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7214-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

Here's the two day food run down: five Belgian beers, two waffles, one cone of French fries (and mayonnaise and ketchup) and the better part of an hour in a chocolate shop. All of this was interspersed with coffee and some pastries plus a couple of real meals.

The chocolates. Oh the chocolates. Don't even get me started. Many of the shops were so beautiful and tempting. S. and stumbled into this lovely shop Elizabeth's and spent a lot of time ogling the chocolates before buying ourselves and our friends some. It was a wonderful way to spend an hour.

[caption id="attachment_4440" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Chocolates "]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4440" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7219/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4440 " title="Chocolates " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7219-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

Eating our way through the city was fantastic.

And kind of gross.

But really more awesome than anything else.  Brussels is such a grown up city but there's also some great "street food." If you can call waffles and french fries street food. This kind of street food is a little more refined than some places but you can't beat a warm waffle on a cold afternoon or a cone of pommes frites after walking around all day. This street food is just grown up enough for the cobble stones of Brussels.

Decedent? Oh yes. Could you live like this? Heck no.

But a little indulgence now and then is okay. <em>Right?</em>

[caption id="attachment_4441" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Eaten Street-side Pommes Frites"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4441" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/03/06/brussels-some-eating-highlights/img_7238/"><img class="size-large wp-image-4441 " title="Pommes Frites" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_7238-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

Sure I really want my own waffle iron now and I have a hunch I am going to be dreaming about Belgian waffles for a couple of weeks but isn't that what travel is about?

Needless to say, I am going to have to eat salads this week (and maybe next week too).