Brussels 2004

Pictures from my trip to Brussels in late April, 2004

1387 (2004/04/16)

I went to Brussels.

1394 (2004/04/16)

Brussels has an amazingly large number of parks - it's nearly impossible to walk more than about three blocks without running into at least a small one.

1403 (2004/04/16)

Did I mention there were parks?

1405 (2004/04/16)

and tourists.

1407 (2004/04/16)

Where there isn't enough space for a full park, there's usually a sculpture, either historical or modern. I found all of the sculptures to be quite tasteful and artistic, and was thoroughly amused by this one which appears to be a duck-man with a jet backpack.

1408 (2004/04/16)

This was one of the most interesting pieces of technology I saw. When you wave the correct RFID card, the columns retract, making the street passable to vehicles...

1506 (2004/04/20)

like this.

1419 (2004/04/16)

Much of Brussels is not lit at night, which is quite unusual to someone used to the United States, where every building and walkway is lit up like high noon. However, some places are lit, such as this plaza, which gets my award for "most gratuitous use of blue LEDs".

1426 (2004/04/16)

Artistically, I think this is one of the best pictures from the trip.

1430 (2004/04/17)

Oh, look! Another park! I wish we had parks like this back home, although I'll admit I don't wish for the taxes that support them.

1438 (2004/04/17)

This is one of the buildings in the "Grand Place", the central square of Brussels and heart of the tourist district.

1448 (2004/04/18)

Another park, this time with a view of the city. The central building, with the scaffolding, is the Palais de Justice (courthouse).

1453 (2004/04/18)

Many of the parks were sculptured enough to qualify as gardens, or at least blur the line.

1459 (2004/04/18)

What's the significance of this picture? Was it the scowl on the woman's face? Was it the way the people dress?

No, of course not! It's the waffles! It's *waffles*! From a *truck*! A truck with *waffles*! That you can buy! and eat!

1484 (2004/04/19)

Buildings on the Grand Place again, this time at night.

1488 (2004/04/19)

The Royal Palace