This past weekend was the Brussels Carpet Festival.  It has been SO hot that as you can see in the picture, the flowers were dying by the minute.  We went the 2nd day of the festival. I can't imagine how brown it was on day 5!   Still a very cool thing to experience though. 

THE Brussels carpet!

This was the coolest street act I've ever seen.  This dog didn't budge.   I actually stood over him looking for his respirations!  At first I thought he was stuffed!  

This is HOT!  Especially when your house has NO  air conditioning!

Such tourists. Always supporting the street acts!

A plastic replica of Mannequin Piss.  If you don't know what he is, consult your friend "Google!"  You wouldn't believe the comments people say about this! 

No, waffles do not come from Waffle House.  These are  traditional Belgian waffles.

No, this isn't a picture from 1988!  It's 2012.  Yes, I'm aware that the boy in the picture has neon green shoes and a matching shirt.  This is the first day of 4th grade!!  I know, I'm a bit late.  School started last week.  I can't believe it!  4th grade.  Wow.

So far, so good with the new school year.  Today he came home needing to research interesting facts about Slovakia and Hungary to present to his class.  I suggest that he take Hungarian currency to school and discuss the conversion to euro and dollar.  He was appalled that I would suggest such a thing.  Afterall, "I'm sure the Hungarian kids in my class are aware of the conversion, Mom!"  My bad!!  Sometimes I forget that this kid is so worldly! 

Terceira, Azores, Portugal!  Ever heard of it?  It's only the one of the most amazing places on earth.  That might be because I spent a good chunk of my childhood there.  Even though I was very young, it stood out so much to me that from that point on, I wanted to go back.  So, 20+ years later, I did!  I took my family and showed them the island and all the things that I used to do as a kid.  It was a complete shock to see that the island had changed so much.  There's even a 4 lane highway now!  We all had a good time, and the kiddo even said that he wants to take his kids to the Azores in 20 years!  Can't wait for the next trip, even though it's 20 years away!  =)

Our first house on the Island.  1985

The same house.  2012

Overlooking Praia.

TORO TORO!!

The islands main bull ring

A typical Azorian fishing boat.  They are beautiful!

Looking down from the cliffs

Split Rock

Prime family photo op moment!

At Biscoits.  We swam the next day!  The salt water smell is something you never forget!

It was super cold, but I did it!  

Typical Azorian church.  This one has been abandoned, but it was still pretty!

Hanging out at the water front in Praia.

At the peak of the island.  He thought it was so cool to be in the clouds!