The Market and Grand Place

Well, up to now we haven't gotten much time to attempt to see the sights around here (but we plan to change that soon). We have gotten the opportunity though to attend the Sunday market in Mons. It is just down the hill from our house about 4 blocks (not real American blocks, but that's the best I can do). It is open every Sunday morning from 0800 to 1200ish. The first time we went it took awhile to find what we needed, but now that we are familiar with it we can make our list and run down there quickly in the morning before church. There are booths from pastry shops in the area with sweets and breads, lots of produce wagons (my favorite is an Italian guy that is trying to teach me to say all of the fruits and vegetables in french and italian). He has the greatest pepperoni rouge (red peppers) that I have ever had, so I load up on salad stuff from him each weekend. There is also a HUGE wagon that is big rotisserie. It is filled with chickens, ribs and roasts (pork only) and baskets of potatoes. The chicken is fantastic!! We have been eating much better and healthier since we discovered the market (there is only so many meals you can create in the microwave!!!)

The Grand Place is located up the hill from our house past the front of the Cathedral. On the way you walk into what is called the pedestrian street that is full of shops and eateries (and Zane's favorite waffle cart, more on that later). When you get to the Grand Place it is an open area surrounded by bigger restaurants and coffee shops. The entire area is circled in chairs and tables from the eateries and I've heard if you go at night that it is full of people. One of the pics is of one side of the Grand Place showing the shops (with Zane's large head at the bottom). Another is of the monkey that is on a wall of the Grand Place. You are supposed to rug his head with your left had for good luck. More on adventures soon.