Brussels with IOGT-NTO

So last evening I got back to Stockholm after three incredible days in Brussels. It felt like it was more than 3 days though, because we had quite a jammed packed schedule and did tons of stuff!
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Three of the four of us who were chosen to go to Brussels lives here in Stockholm so me and the other two guys were on the same flight, departing at around 7:00 in the morning on Monday. At Brussels airport we met up with our fourth member of our group and all of us were greeted by one of the IOGT girls who worked at their office in Brussels. All of us took the shuttle bus in to the city and then she guided us to the office. There we met with the other girl working there and they had an introduction about the upcoming days etc. Then we headed out for lunch together at a really nice hamburger restaurant. It was sooo good. After lunch we went back to the office and worked and prepared a little bit for the next days with seminars and meetings. Plus, another girl from UNF joined us! Then we left the office and took the subway to a restaurant close to Le Grand Place and had dinner at a great restaurant. I had to try Moules Frites...I just had to. And it tasted really good! Then they followed us to the hotel where we stayed and even though we were all soooo tired we still stayed up quite late, talking and chillin' in the lobby before going to bed. 
 

Gorgonzola burger!



Dinner menu!



Moules Frites!
The ceiling of the lounge at the hotel.
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On the second day we headed "The house of Norway" to attend a seminar regarding some alcohol policies and other stuff (actually, the details of this is confidential until Friday this week). We met several different parties and other NGO's and it was a really interesting seminar! Also, the IOGT lady from the Sthlm office who was in charge of arranging this trip and the study circle that we had earlier joined us! It was great finally being the complete group! After the seminar, we went and had lunch at a Italian restaurant. I had a big plate of carbonara! Then we headed to the EU parliament quarters of town and first went to a interactive planitarium where the whole idea and full history of the EU was explained to you. It was very interesting and fun! Then we went and visted the parliament! Even though they are in Strasbourg (I think...) this week and the whole parliament was empty of politicians, it was quite powerful to walk around in those halls. I loved it! After that we went to a meeting with a european NGO confederation which also was interesting! The final stop of the day was dinner at a Maroccan restaurant. The place was beautifully decorated and the food was amazing.

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During lunch...

 

Outside of the parliament!



Inside at the planetarium..



This part was quite interesting. You could move those black things across the map and when you stopped at one of those white markers you got the information about that city/region on the screen. Pretty cool.

My favourite room! 360 view!



When we got back outside it was sunny :D



Inside of the parliament building..


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The lightning on this pic is ridiculous but hey...still awesome :D



On our way to the Maroccan restaurant..



Food!



I had lamb with plum and almonds!
Beautiful streets close to our hotel!
 
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On the last day we started off with a meeting at the "Sveriges Ständiga Representation". Kind of our embassy in Brussels. There we had a meeting which was very interesting! After that we went to the more "tourist friendly" parts of Brussels and did some sightseeing and bought some souvenirs. And of course had some Belgian waffles! Then we went and had lunch at an amaaaaaaaaazing restaurant called "Les Filles". They had a set menu and served organic, locally produced food (so the menu changed every day after what ingredients and goods they had to offer). It was so delicious and the interior was so cute and gave off a very homelike feeling. After a long lunch we went and got our bags (which we had stored at the hotel) and said goodbye to everyone after they showed us to the shuttle bus taking us back to the airport.



At Parc, by the hotel.















The royal palace!







Hella old indoor mall!



WAFFLES!





At Grand Place.



The famous peeing boy...





More waffles!

So much chocolate...

Tools...also made of chocolate.



A pic from the restaurant where we had lunch.
At the airport, going back home.
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These three day were truly amazing! Brussels was an amazing city and I really liked it there. The people I met were all so kind and it's strange thinking that we'd never really met before, because we immediately all hit it off and joked and laughed until we almost couldn't breathe. It's like we've known eachother for years! And personally, hanging out with other IOGT and UNF people has been so uplifting. Not having to worry about being the only one not drinking alcohol during meals, not feeling uncomfortable in other's presence and not having to try to be considerate when talking about drugs with others in my company. We're all on the same page. Drugs are wrong. It's that easy. Even though some of us took different roads to find that answer, we all arrived to the same conclusion. I really want to keep in contact with other IOGT/UNF members. It all just makes so much sense. I will remember this trip forever!

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