Christmas Came Early

Manneken Pis, a famous Brussels landmark

I don’t know if I have ever been so well looked after. I returned from Belgium last night. I spent time with my host family from Belgium. It was wonderful. I got to meet my host sibling’s children (who unfortunately for me and fortunately for them speak better French than I do).  I had the best time and I miss them already.

They sent me back with tons of wonderful presents. As they are Belgians, most of it was food (and warm clothes). I came back with:

• Tins of fish from Brittany
• Giant packs of the best kind of Belgian Waffles (Gauffres de Liege) covered in chocolate
• Pralines from Leonidas
• Pralines from Corne
• A pot of Nutella (This was, unfortunately a casualty of airport security. They said it was a liquid. I think they wanted it for themselves.)
• Belgian chocolate (Yes, this is different from Nutella, pralines and chocolate covered waffles.)
• CD’s
• Jewelry
• Warm, clothes that will make me look très Eurpoeanne (or at least less obviously American)
• Super cool paper placemats that teach you French (a painless way for him to learn some French)

I think they were afraid that I would go hungry in Switzerland. I ate so well in Belgium (posts to follow) that I feel a bit guilty that he wasn’t there to taste all the goodies. He was able to have yummy waffles for breakfast and will, undoubtedly, have pralines tonight. Thanks for everything.