Fellow fellow, Janelle Frost Doughty with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Colorado and German Marshall Fund coordinator Christina Elvers, my new favorite German. 
Medieval town of Bruges in Flemish Belgium. 
It's known as Venice of the North. 
No cars allowed in this walled city of some 20,000 where any French I was using in Brussels is no good – Dutch or English only. 
There's a new movie out that is filmed in Bruges. It's called: "In Bruges" and is a drama about two hit men cooling their heels in Belgium. With Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes. I haven't seen it but the town is so cool it might be worth it for that alone; here's a review at: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/02/08/2008-02-08_in_bruges_there_will_be_blood.html. 
Bruges is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. 
Brick spires in Bruges. 
Back in Brussels, I met with Anja Hartwig at an NGO called “Eurochild” today. The organization is very similar to Child Welfare League of America in that they promote the welfare and rights of children across Europe. 
Belgian chocolate is everywhere!
Recycling bins found on many streets.
Signs of America's influence ... and Valentine's Day in many store windows. I guess it helps sell all that chocolate. 
Bakery in Brussels. 
City Hall, Brussel's Style. Someone asked: when was it converted from a church? Response: "It has always been city hall!"
Naturally, an early on stop was a streetside Belgian waffle stand.
A bikers' town: free loaner bike program.
