You Live, You Learn

Just got into Brussels this morning! I have been extremely jet lagged and the culture shock has definitely taken a bigger toll than expected. That taken, lessons that I've learned in the last 10 hours:

1.  There are no elevators. (Lugged 4 huge suitcases up multiple floors on a small spiral staircase-aka, my workout for the day)
2.  Belgians drink. A lot. Beer seems to basically be a main food group which they include in all areas of life.
3. Waiters do not have to work for there tip because gratuity is included in the check; so don't expect 5-star service anywhere on average-priced restaurants.
4. The after-dinner mint is often a cough drop
5. Learn how to speak french. I knew the simple "Bonjour" and "Merci," but some Europeans get offended when Americans just expect them to know English.
6. Pedestrians don't have the right of way
7. No one wears t-shirts or sweats. I have never, in my life, seen better dressed men/women taking their dogs on walks and doing simple everyday errands.
8. Wearing socks with sandals is cute here. I still don't think I'll ever give in.
9. There are hardly any chain restaurants.  I only saw one McDonalds within a 40-mile radius. 
10. Apartments don't have dryers.

Overall, Ixelles-Brussels is a beautiful town best described as being cosmopolitan with an urban twist to it.  The views are breathtaking and every building seems like it could tell a story from a thousand years ago. Though there is a more modern section of the city with new buildings, the town almost seems like it has been trapped in time with it's cobblestone roads, old red-brick architecture, and curbside meat/vegetable shops.