The architechture in Brussels is very ornate, and there are several Royal Tennenbaum style structures in the city, an example of which can be seen above. But I will digress for a moment to the topic of youth hostels. I have avoided these institutions for most of my trip, and if camping is not available, I will generally try to find a cheap pension. But Belgium is really expensive, so I decided to cut costs with a hostel. The first night I was in a coed dormitory room with seven other people, and the non-ventilated air was sticky and filled with the sounds of rickety bunks creaking, snoring, and other anti-sleep-inducing noises. As the moonlight at 3 o´clock in the morning hit the trees outside the window and cast swaying shadows on the ceiling above my bed, I said to myself, Michael, your too long in the tooth for this folly, old sport. The courtyard always had a fop of a guitarrist playing tortured classics, such as "The End" (the Doors), to a reluctant but captive audience. (9/02/04)

Description

:

Brussels, Royal Tennenbaum House