If you’ve read Part 1, then you know what is coming:
The BRUSSELS Christmas Market!
I was very excited to go to this market. It was raining all day Saturday and I was rather blue (ok, understatement – I cried). I felt that I needed to go back to the USA asap to experience my true Holiday traditions. I know, seriously, I can be a baby. I am truly thankful for my experiences here, even if I have my moments….
Anyway, it cleared up around 4pm and was 50F degrees. It was perfect —> off we went!
Joe's vending machine beer - for the train ride, of course! **Yes, you had insert your ID!
Bear with me, there are a LOT of pictures, so I’ll keep the chit-chat to a minimum. We entered the Christmas Market (which has +150 little huts). My favorites are below:
The Entrance - get your gluhwein! Perhaps to get a little tipsy so you'll buy things?!
Mmm, bread anyone?!
Traditional German wooden items...
My fave - glass ornaments!
After walking around for a bit (and of course, buying a couple things – HELLO ornaments), we decided we were hungry. Joe originally wanted to stop and sit down at a restaurant. I was NOT having that – how could we leave this magical (I know, gaggish) place?! I said that I was SURE there would be food to eat. Except, I didn’t say food…I tried to come up with an exciting thing Joe would want to eat…but, what came out was…”I’m sure there is warm meat available…” He was NOT enthused, but…look what we found:
Joe's food...warm meat of some sort...!
My food - Roasted potatoes & mushrooms!
And of course, how could we forget dessert?!
AMAZING...I bought a LOT of treats for the week!
But couldn't wait to have hot chocolate and this lil guy!
Belgian "Speculoos" cookies - VERY popular!
This display drew me in...it was adorbs. May or may not have bought some "stocking stuffers" for the siblings!
After meandering around, it was time to head back to the Grand Place for the light show. I’m going to be honest, it was seriously beautiful. The show had music playing throughout the centrum with lights darting along all the beautiful buildings. There were even ballerina’s and an opera singer. Yes, I may or may not have teared-up here too. Seriously, what is wrong with me?! 🙂 My pictures do not do it justice, but…take a look!
City Hall...
Ballerina's...supposed to be like a "Snow Globe"
City Hall, again!
The tree!!!! Amazing
Again, the awesome tree! I seriously LOVE Christmas trees!
A wonderful evening!
Hope you enjoyed – this was one of my favorite posts and also just happens to be my 100th post!!!!
Expats In Ghent 
Looks Awesome! I know its easy for me to say but the Christmas time your experience sounds more exciting then here! Enjoy and can’t wait to see you soon.
Thanks – it was beautiful!
I know, sometimes I want to just hit myself because I feel sad that I’m not home, but I DO get to experience all these unique things! It doesn’t make sense…I guess I want the best of both worlds! 🙂
Oh my, Sarah it was so beautiful. I love reading your posts. I kept calling John over to listen to this and look at that. He doesn’t love Christmas as much as I do, he just wanted to escape. He offered to take Jacob to school for me so he could get away. i’m okay with that, now i can go back and reread everything! Happy St. Nick Day! See you soon!
Julia’s mom
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