Brussels continued...

Yesterday (Wednesday) I slept in a bit since I was so wiped out from walking the entire city of Paris the day before.  So I took my time, had breakfast and then headed to the Metro station with Sean.  He was able to hang out with me for the day since his program was in small groups and he wasn't needed.  So, we took the Metro to Atomium.  This was really cool - it looked like a large molecular structure that I used to build in my chemistry classes.  The science part of me definitely appreciated it.  We were able to ride to the top "sphere" and then look out to take in the view.  We were also able to go to most of the other "spheres.".  Much to my dismay, we had to do a bit of stair climbing.  My calves were in knots from the trek up the Eiffel Tower the day before so I am pretty sure the other tourists got a big kick out of me climbing stairs like an 80 year old woman.  After Atomium, we walked over to Mini Europe.  This was a collection of all of the famous buildings, structures in all of the various countries in Europe.  All of the buildings/structures were a much smaller version of the real thing.  It was really quite neat, the detail of all of the buildings was incredible.  We ate lunch at a fantastic restaurant right near Mini Europe.  After that, we took the Metro to Grand Place so that we could do some shopping and get gifts for everyone at home.  I didn't think it was possible, but I do believe we spent almost $100 on chocolate -> it is so freaking good but it isn't the cheapest in the world, however it will make really great gifts for everyone at home.  Then we went to a beer store and bought out that store as well -> remember how I said earlier that I was a big fan of Delirium beer and it's "mascot?". Yeah, I got a mini stuffed pink elephant, some Delirium beer and my favorite part, the beer glasses with the pink elephants on them.  Although, the glasses look more like small piña colada glasses rather than beer glasses.  I was super excited!  After that we headed back to the hotel, I took a much needed nap and then Sean went downstairs for dinner (he had to eat dinner with everyone from his program).  I went upstairs to the fitness center for a much needed run on the treadmill, plus I was hoping it would loosen up the knots in my calves.  Carroll, if you are reading this, I know you are making fun of me for working out while on vacation but if you saw the waffles that I was eating you would understand.  . Anyway, so you remember how I said it was pretty warm in the hotel?  Yeah, the fitness center is like a sauna.  I had only brought yoga pants and a tank top to work out in, not knowing I would need my bikini to run in - but I wouldn't want to scare anyone by running in my bikini.  I looked like a hot tamale after I got done running.  After that sauna experience, I got cleaned up and just had dinner down at the hotel restaurant and had a couple of beers.  Then, it was off to bed since I had another early train to take me to London in the morning.  A few more observations I've made:
1) Bring extra cash for chocolate, it's expensive but tastes so good and makes for excellent gifts.
2) I really have yet to find any good Brussels souvenirs (other than my pink elephant paraphernalia).
3) I am beginning to cheat on wine and am having a love affair with beer - the beer here is fantastic and I am enjoying trying all of the different kinds.  Plus, they all come in their own unique glass.
4) I really wish that they didn't charge money to use public restrooms.  I really believe that it would cut down on the urine smell in the Metro/train stations since the homeless people seem to just urinate in the stations rather than the bathroom since it would cost them money.  The smell is the worst first thing in the morning.  
5) I am determined to learn French the next time I come to visit so that I don't feel so lost.
Til my update from London...