It’s been a busy few weeks here in Brussels and unfortunately, I haven’t been able to update as much as I would have liked! Nonetheless I must tell you all about last Friday because it was full of surprises.

Instead of our traditional International Reporting class last Friday, we ventured to the Parlamentarium, which is the new interactive museum at the European Parliament. Now I know what you must be thinking, “You’ve already been there!” and you are correct. This trip to the museum was for the role-playing game where the 15 of us acted as MEPs from different member states and different political parties.

Liberty acting as an MEP from Sweden in the Solidarity Party!

It was fascinating to see firsthand how regulations are passed within Parliament… Or not passed, in our case. I was from the “Solidarity” political group whose platform reminded me a lot of the Republican party we have in the US. It was very cool to learn about my party’s beliefs and platform and fight in my committee meetings for these beliefs. I was a part of the Security and Defense Committee and we were battling over whether or not tracking chips should be placed in every EU citizen’s arm for security purposes. Personally, I thought this was a bit unethical, but my party was all for it, so I fought hard to pass the legislation.

After failing the regulation twice, the Council finally gave up on trying to come to an agreement and the entire piece failed. After all of our “hard work” (“interviewing” citizens, hearing from NGOs and Lobbying groups) it was sad that nothing came out of it. But this happens every day and after a lot longer period (it takes upwards of two years to pass a piece of legislation in the EU!). Nonetheless, it was a learning experience and a lot of fun!

After our stint as MEPs I had my first bagel in months! It was tasty and delicious and I wish I had taken a picture because with all of the other delicious pastries and bread they have here, bagels are few and far between.

After lunch the adventuring began. I termed it the Day of Parks because it seems as if my roommate, Liberty and myself stumbled upon park after park after park. Brussels is a very beautiful city (especially when it’s sunny!) and has so much to offer if you are willing to venture out and about!

Park #1: Look at Liberty enjoying Parc Léopold right near the EU Parliament.

Park #2:  Can you guess where we are?! No, not Spain, but with the only palm tree in Brussels in Square Ambiorix!

After what seemed like miles (it was about 3/4 of a mile…) and a few hours we finally found the Arc de Triomphe-Triomfboog (everything has to be in French and Flemish!)! It was hiding behind trees but we walked that extra 15 feet and found it!

Park #3: Can you see the Arc de Triomphe-Triomfboog hiding behind the trees in the Parc Cinquantenaire?

It is absolutely stunning and was erected for Belgium’s independence in the 19th century. Suffice to say it was a jam-packed afternoon.

Isn’t it stunning?!

Liberty relaxing casually on the top of the Arc…

 Yet, it didn’t stop there! We went to Cinematek, which is a local movie theatre that plays older films and if you’re lucky you can see a silent film accompanied by a piano. Although our movie was in color and made in the fifties, it was also in French… with Dutch subtitles… It’s called the French Can-Can if you’re interested in a story about the beginnings of Moulin Rouge. Nonetheless, I actually was able to understand the entire film and follow along with the plot which was surprising, even to myself!

After the movie we went to the Congolese neighborhood that is right around the corner from my apartment and had one of the most delicious meals since I arrived. I have an entire thigh and chicken leg smothered in a delicious brown sauce and a mountain of rice. It reminded me a lot of Thai food in that the dish itself wasn’t too spicy but you add a tiny drop of a sauce they have on the side and your mouth erupts into flames. Flames and all, it was incredibly delicious and I can’t wait to try out more dishes in the many restaurants throughout the neighborhood!

I still have so much to tell you all about last weekend and this week at work, but we’re off to catch the train to Cologne! Who’s excited about Germany?! WE ARE!

Much, much more to come soon!

Liberty&Taylor