I've been set loose in Brussels...

... and I love it!

The capital of Belgium (and the European Union) is really a beautiful city, completely underrated if you ask me. I've stayed here before two years ago and thought it was nice, but this time around it's like 'wow' all over. I don't know if it's the new neighborhood or the fact that I'm here to stay (for at least three years, OMG) but it's absolutely gorgeous. Green, ever-moving, young, diverse and hip.

And these were taken just on a walk around the neighborhood. The city bustles with old buildings (in excellent state) and modern buildings and just generally sights to be seen.

 

It also just so happened that the Royal Palace was exceptionally open to the public on a Monday (it's open to the public all summer, except Mondays). It's a beautiful place, sober on the outside and as luxurious as it gets on the inside. We're talking dozens of crystal chandeliers and gold on the walls/ceilings, not to mention Belgian millinery and other things like a gorgeous harp.

I can't wait to explore the fashion side of the city, I've already seen a lot of fashionable people - I just have to get up the nerve to ask them if I can take their picture (in French!) and I'm good to go. How about you, friends? Do you dare ask stylish people if you can photograph them? Are you into streetstyle?