"A mind ... stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions" O.W. Holmes: Platform 9 ¾, Grand Place, Mannaken Pis, Carriage ride, 900 year old church, waffles….

Thursday, April 18, 2019. The kids asked to be woken up extra early (6:30am), so we would have time to visit Kings Cross Platform 9 ¾ before catching our train to Brussels. Thanks to Tommy Haughton for the recommendation. So worth it! (Yes, we are a bit obsessed with Harry Potter these days!)

We arrived at our super cute hostel (Sleep Well Youth Hostel) in Brussels about 3pm. Ridgely, said, “This is the BEST place!” When I asked her what she loved about it, she said, “our small room so we’re all close, 3 beds, our own bathroom, a window, and reading lights over the beds.” Easy to please!

We then walked (Haughton navigated) about 10 minutes to the Grand Place, which is stunning. According to one article, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is surrounded by the guild houses, City Hall and Maison de Roi. Every other August, they set out half a million begonias, making a 77x24 meter carpet in the square. The Grand Place also has a rich “Horrible History” worthy past including multiple burnings and beheadings.

We then went on a carriage ride and saw the infamous Manneken Pis (statue if a boy peeing). There are numerous legends about its origins. The driver said that a bomb was about to explode and a boy extinguished it by peeing on it. We also saw the old stock exchange (which now houses beer) and the 900-year old St. Nicolas Cathedral.

Finally, before turning in, the kids enjoyed some authentic Belgian waffles. Yum!

I will add that the kids stayed up WAY too late playing Top Trump Harry Potter, a game we got at the Harry Potter store. I woke up at midnight and made them stop, turn off the light and stop talking….. zzzzz