Mimi and Pop-pop visit Brussels, Bruges, Paris, and London!

Mimi and Pop-pop (aka Tony's parents) came to visit us in Brussels, and despite everything going wrong that could go wrong (more on that below), we all had a wonderful time.

Preparing for their arrival

Getting to Brussels

Getting to Brussels proved to be more of a challenge than expected. First, their flight from Atlanta to New York (where they would catch a flight to London) was canceled due to bad weather in New York. Not delayed - cancelled! Fortunately, Tony got them re-routed through Cincinatti. We thought we had dodged a bullet!

On arrival in London in the morning after flying throughout the night, they found that all trains from London to Brussels were cancelled until 5pm due to a fire on the tracks. So they spent a very long day sitting in the train station waiting for news on the trains. When the trains got going again at 5pm, they were on the first one out (as thousands had been stranded, we were relieved to hear they were on their way).

Visiting the Brussels Sights - in the rain, sleet, hail, and snow (yes, SNOW!)

After several weeks of beautiful, sunny, spring-like weather in Brussels, a front came through and pushed us back into winter right as Mimi and Pop-pop arrived. They trecked through the freezing wind, near-constant drizzle, rain, occassional sleet and hail, and even two snowfalls to see the Brussels sights, including the Grand Place, Manneken Pis, Parc du Cinquantenaire, Atomium, and Chocolate shops Marcolini and Wittamer. We were so sad that they couldn't have seen them under better conditions, but such is life in Brussels. One day the birds are singing and the buds are popping out on the trees, the next we're sludging through the muck of a winter storm.

Visiting Brussels' Cathédrale Sts-Michel et Gudule

The Cathédrale Sts-Michel et Gudule is the national church of Belgium. This Gothic Cathédrale was built over a period of 300 years, beginning in 1225.

Brussels' Palais Royal

The Palais Royal is the official home of the Belgian monarchy. This day we also strolled the Parc de Bruxelles, visited Mary's Chocolates, and lunched at Le Pain Quotidien at The Grand Sablon.

Frites

We walked and walked and walked, and finally found the most famous friterie (french fry stand) in Brussels - wherelse, in a shack on the side of the road. The Belgians love frites, typically eaten with mayonnaise, and claim to have invented them.

Grayson loves frites - almost as much as Pop-pop

Sick, Sick, Sick

I had all these great plans sketched out for the visit. On this day we'd do this, on that day we'd do that, etc. Unfortunately, this all got thrown to the wayside when on day 3 of their visit I woke up extremely ill with tonsilitis and sinusitis. I went straight to the Doctor who prescribed antibiotics and rest, as my low blood pressure and fever caused me to nearly faint in her office. The next two days were two of the most miserable of my life. Whole body aches, chills, sweats, fever, not being able to swallow without wanting to scream. It was terrible! Don and Susan were very kind, and instead of me being the hostess with the mostest, they took care of me (and Grayson!). They cooked, cleaned, shopped, rented movies, picked up medications, and postponed a daytrip to Bruges to help us survive the misery (and we were very thankful).

Daytrip to Bruges

On Thursday Mimi and Pop-pop finally made it to Bruges. We wish we could post all the wonderful photos they took of Bruges and its charming Market Square and canals, but on the trip home Mimi's camera was stolen - right out of her pocket. All of her photos up until this point were lost, and we mourned not the loss of the camera but of the memories it had captured.

Bruges' 13th-Centry Market Square

Fabulous Paris

On day 6 of their trip to Europe, Mimi, Pop-pop, Tony, and Grayson hopped on the Thalys high-speed train bound for Paris. I was supposed to go, but instead slept all day in an attempt to regain my strength. Fortunately, I was able to join them the very next day. Paris was fabulous, and the weather finally cleared up on our final day (go figure).

Riding the Thalys

After each train ride, Grayson would say "MORE choo-choos!"

The Arc de Triomphe

This famous arch was constructed beginning in 1806. It is encrusted with reliefs, shields, and sculptures depicting various battles won by Napolean.

Burberry boy

Daddy dressed Grayson in his finest to jaunt along the Champs-Elysées

Our little wine connoisseur

(it's just water, of course)

The Eiffel Tower, built in 1889

Polite Parisian pick-pocketing

While visiting the Eiffel Tower, Mimi became the target of yet another pick-pocketer. This one managed to unzip her backback and remove her wallet without her knowing. Oddly enough, the pick-pocketer gave it back to her after not finding any cash. How odd is that?

Outside the Musée du Louvre

Inside the Musée du Louvre

A very large painting in the Louvre

Winged Victory of Samothrace depicts the Greek goddess Nike (Victory)

The Venus de Milo is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1504

Paris at Night

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Is there a better place to celebrate your birthday than Paris?

Notre-Dame de Paris

On our last day in Paris, the sun finally came out. Mimi and Pop-pop left in the morning for London, and we stayed in Paris to visit a few more sights, including Notre-Dame, which was built beginning in 1163.

Sunday Mass at Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame, viewed from the Left Bank of the River Seine

The South Rose Window

Look Mommy - a stick!

Grayson tormenting the pigeons

(though I worry what would happen should he actually manage to get ahold of one)

The beginnings of Spring

Looks like it's time to move on

The River Seine

The Arc de Triomphe, in the sun!

Laudurée

I learned of this Paris institution from my Parisian friend, Severine. Known for their amazing macaroons, they also serve a delightful brunch, as Tony, Grayson, and I were able to learn first hand before our train back to Brussels.

Jolly London, then back to the States

While we headed back to Brussels, Mimi and Pop-pop went to London via the Eurostar train to see the sights and then hop on a plane back to the U.S. We hope that you enjoyed your visit (we did) and we promise that next time you visit, there won't be nearly as many challenges (how could there be?)!