Les Marolles

Wednesday, la Toussaint, was holiday. We decided to soak in the sights around the lower part of Bruxelles in the neighbourhood commonly known as Les Marolles. A glass elevator connects the upper town to the lower town. Despite the cloudy and windy conditions, this vantage point offered a really great view of the district. Its claim to fame is the daily flea market on the Place du Jeu-de-Balle. This is where Hergé had Tintin find a small bottled ship replica of the Licorne and consequently fall upon the map to Rackham le Rouge's treasure. Inspired to shower his parents with the spoils of a pirate's life, Edouard embarked on a mad hunt for bottled ships. We sorted through old wooden pipes, bowling trophies (?!), assorted china, needlepoints of Jesus, buttons, and baubles. Hunger put an end to his treasure hunt. Edouard ate a hotdog from a vending cart; the first one I've seen in Brussels. The rest of us stopped for onion soup, tartine and expresso at a small bistro.