Day 113: Paris, France - Oostende, Belgium

Today was my last day in France, and I am pretty bummed out about that.  It was nt fun for me, leaving what has kinda become my home.  I woke up in the morning intending to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  However, it clearly was not meant to be.  There was a problem with my train line, so what would have been a 2-train ride turned into 5.  By the time I got there, it was later than I needed it to be, and there was a HUGE line for the tower.  

The line starts with the old man in a coat on the rightm goes forward, bends to the left at the generator, and ends at the green building with yellow signs. 

 I ended up just walking around the tower a bit and enjoying being in Paris.  I got a crepe, my last meal in France, and took the metro home.  I ate a quick snack, packed up my stuff, and left.  The walk was as terrible as I thought it would be.  My stuff was just so heavy!! I think I’m done doing that, thoug

I walked along this street for hours!

I made it to Gare du Nord about 30 min before my train, so that worked out well.  My train was run by Thalys, a Belgian company, and it was the nicest train on which I have ever been.  I was in 2^nd class, but, it looked like 1^st on the TGV.  My seat was really comfortable and reclined pretty far, with tons of leg room, I had a huge fold-down tray, a fold down foot rest, a waste basket in the console, and a power outlet for each seat.  It was great.  

The train was full to Bruxelles, and then it looked like this.

The ride was pretty quick, and I got a little sleep.  When I arrived in Oostende, Maarten was there to meet me.  He took me to his house and I ate some food and then cake,, with his family.  They were all very nice.  Because Maarten’s brother, Stane, is visiting, I am staying in a room in the hotel where Maarten works.  It is pretty nice, and close to his house.  

This is my whole room.  I like how compact stuff in Europe is.

 After I got situated, Maarten took me on a little tour of Oostende. It is a very nice town and I had a good time.  It definitely has very different feel.  I think in part to its location on the North Sea.   When we finished, we got some drinks in the hotel bar, and then I headed to my room.  

The cathedral is beautifully lit at night.

It was rebuilt in a neo-gothic style after zee Germans bombed it in WWII.

Me, and some boat that is all lit up for Christmas.

Martin bought me this beer.  It was really good.

This was so good.  WAY better than the crap in America.

I am very excited to be in Oostende and experiencing something new.  I think this will be a good visit.