Brussels Christmas Market

This past weekend, I had that opportunity to go the the Christmas Market in Brussels with a friend. No husband, no child, just a friend....it was great.  http://www.belgiumtheplaceto.be/729-christmas-markets.php
We wandered around for a little while to find it, since we got off the train at a stop too early. After that invigorating walk, we found what we were looking for. The market does wander around the downtown area quite a bit, and it wasn't easy to find all the pieces of it. However, both of us were without husbands and kids, so we weren't in a hurry and since we were riding the train, we indulged in some gluhwien with rum. Sweet nectar from heaven, I love that stuff.
Anyway, several of the booths were food related, which suited us fine. We had bratwurst from a German booth, that was quite tasty with the bread they serve it with. Then later we had waffles, I had the Liege waffle and she had the Brussels waffle. They are different shaped, but that was really the only difference we noticed. Both of them were wonderful! Many booths were of the knitted outer garment/accessory kind. There were some cute hats, Sesame Street characters, Hello Kitty, animals, all with ear flaps and braids. If my son would leave a hat on, I would have spent the euro to get him one. Jewelry was another big theme, and lots of leather bags, wallets, etc.
The market also had an ice skating rink that you could rent skates and wait in line for, two different sledding hills (Not up to my husband's sledding standards, but it will have to do for Belgium), an enclosed ferris wheel, an inflatable "Funny Christmas Ice Monster," (we didn't go in) and two of the most amazing carousels that I've ever seen in my life.
I was impressed with the carousel near the Eiffel Tower, it was two stories, pretty cool, but these were awesome. Both of them would be considered "Steampunk" in design. Very Jules Vern-type, cogs, gears, etc. Almost all the pieces to ride on had moving parts and exposed infrastructure. A few of the pieces were hanging from the ceiling, one was a flying fish that the child peddled, another was a man with moving flight wings. Both of them were just the coolest things, so original and the kids we watched on the carousels loved them.
The market was confusing and was busy, but it was a great time. I'd love to go back in the evening with my husband, because there's obviously a nightlife scene there, or go back with the hubs and my son. Both would fall in love with the carousels and I'm dying to get inside the funny Christmas ice monster.