One day. Four Countries. Three planes. No problem.

Leaving Boston!

Well, I made it. While the travel wasn't seamless (a late takeoff in Toronto making my layover in Frankfurt down to the minute-I literally had enough time to walk off one plane and into the boarding line of another-and also taking a Brussels native's advice and almost riding the wrong train with her until a group of us figured it out and got off), it was overall, pretty stress-free. I even got to play the role of translator on the train with the same Brussels native and a nice Canadian student trying to get to a different location in Brussels. My french also came in handy checking in to the hotel where, of course, I couldn't get into the room for a few hours because there is only one room key and my roommate, who arrived before me, is such a heavy sleeper. Now, when I say heavy sleeper, I mean to the point that she slept through 15 minutes of her loud phone alarm, she didn't hear me pounding on the door, nor did she hear the desk receptionist calling the room. No problem, the Americans in my group in the room next door took my things and I had a lovely excuse to walk around the city a bit and sample my first espresso. Truly a different experience over here. Street cafés galore, live bands, craft booths and cobblestone streets; c'est magnifique. 

Gare Centrale (Center train station) in Brussels!

Espresso, fruit, and yogurt

Some booths and things-one sold beer candles!

After making it into the room (with the help of some hotel staff), I took a nap until my 5 PM orientation meeting in the hotel lobby. The meeting was held by none other than our professor for the upcoming weekly class. His dual American-Brussels identity paired with a bit of spunky humor has definitely got me excited for the weeks ahead. After some forewarnings and handy tips about life in Brussels (beware of pickpockets!) we were off to a group dinner and then...yes, we christened our arrival with...our first Belgian beers. Dad may be proud to learn that we stopped in to a compact, three story joint that does in-house brews and I made sure they brought me the darkest of their specialties. A perfect commencement to our adventure. I can already tell we're a silly, fun crowd. Tomorrow the city tour awaits! 

Me in la Grande Place

Some bar shots