Saturday, January 19, 2008

Leonardo de Brussels

Bill and I flew to Brussels Thursday night. Actually, we flew to an airport outside of Brussels, as we were flying Ryanair (they've chosen to identify themselves as "the low fare airline"), and then rode a bus to a metro stop in Brussels city. We bought a ticket at the counter in the airport and were directed to go out and to the left. There was an unlabeled bus standing in relative proximity to a sign saying "Buses to Brussels City." We boarded and in few minutes a driver got on, said nothing, checked no tickets, and started the bus. We wound up in Brussels City, so that was good.

Friday dawned rainy with a cold wind. At least, that was the weather around noon when we headed out to the Leonardo da Vinci exposition at the Basilique Nationale de Koekelberg. The exhibit contained many of da Vinci's works along with those of his contemporaries and students. We really enjoying seeing several of his codexes with notes and drawings. Models of many of his machine and weapon designs were also on display. All the descriptions were in French and Flemish. Luckily an English audio tour was available.

After the exhibit we stopped by a restaurant for a light lunch. We accidentally ordered ice cream. Tasty, but not the best on a blustery, cold day. I really should have reviewed my limited French. Mmm, Dame Blanche.





A short time later we found a middle eastern restaurant and successfully ordered falafel and kofta. Friday evening we went to the Grand Place. More on that and the Rue de Restaurants later.

3 comments:

mom Gunter said...

Hi Kids

Loved your post on Brussels. Bill you look might cute under that umbrella. I do believe you both look Irish!!! I loved the ordering of ice cream by mistake. I got quite a chuckle. Boy that ice cream looked good. The Irish must do everything in a big way. Whipped cream and everything. It's cold in Huntsville too. It is in the 30's for a high today. What is falafel and kofta??????? love you two

Unknown said...

Hey you two! I love the scarf - got it yesterday. I miss you all the time... and ... looks like we may get there this year! I am planning and hoping and waiting to get finished with all things UAB. I will be contacting you as soon as I know anything about potential times we can come. How are you? I love the blogs.

mom Gunter said...

Hi again kids. I just checked my mail and was surprised and delighted to have a package from Ireland. I dearly love my cross necklace and the tiny water colour and card. The glass on metal cross is so unique and just beautiful. I will wear it to church tomorrow. I will be the only one to have a handmade necklace from Dunquaire Castle in Galway, Ireland. I feel so special! I love you two! Thank you so very much.