The four hour tour-bad spelling--odd keyboards/ipod

For our first full day in Brussels we began at 830 with a visit to the Council of the European Ministers. The permanent rep of Denmark gave us a lecture on foreign policy. The variance of national interests with the international goals was a major theme of his talk. Different member states behave differently and thus there is an interesting dynamic within the council. It would be like if each state was soverigb and could chose to act with the group, but only when it was convenient for them. He discussed this issue, among others in the Q and A session. Next we went to planet chocolate. I was skeptical at first, but it was so neat. We learned about the history and had a demo. The highlight of the trip was the tasting. Now I do not eat candy, don't eat chocolate unless it is in baked goods, never have craved chocolate. With that being said, it was amazing. So good, creamy, smooth, delightful.

After that I went for a run with Elisabeth and then we went on a bike tour.

The bike tour. That was an experience. Let's start out by saying I do know how to bike ride. I learned to ride when I was younger and go biking on occasion in the summer. These bike were not normal. Mine was too big. It was adjusted to the lowest level but my feet did not touch the ground. They were cumbersome. So needless to say it was difficult. The tour guide was interesting but the weather has been dreary and rainy our whole trip so my focus didn't last the entire time.

We did go all around the city. My favorite part was the milk protesters. Right now the EU farmers are upset because of the low price of milk. This week one of the eu institutions are discussing this. So to voice their opinion the farmers drive their trackers into the city and clogged up traffic. It was well organized- there were hundreds of farm trackers in the streets with signs, honking. It was such an incredible sight to see John deer farm trackers driving through cobblestone street under historic arches.

We also stopped at the place where they have the best French fries in Belgium and according to the New York Times they are the best in the world. I tried then- even though I don't really like fries ie the idea if frying qusi vegetable. But I thought my friend Jackie would be disappointed if I didn't. They were very good. We also had a Belgium beer, and then hot back on the bikes.

The tour was very long, four hours. A guy from our class ran into a car! He didn't get hurt, however, he did break a piece off the smart cats back light. The driver was not happy. I fell on to another member of the group, ran into a parked car and a pole. It was a memorable way to see Brussels. I recommend it bit you should get a bike that is your size.

Today we had two different meetings. We had some free time and a group of us walked around the city. We got caught in the rain, got a little of course, but then found a train station. We got waffles. So good. They had crystallized sugar at the bottom. I had nutella on mine.

Just got back from another run. Elisabeth and I found a cool park with a room tower with a nice view on top.