Holiday market at Grand Place, the central square of Brussels -- with original Flemish architecture, not copies. It is called a holiday market but nothing is actually sold in the Grand Place [pronounced 'plaas'] itself. Surrounding streets are closed, though, and there are vending booths throughout the downtown area, mostly offering prepared food ranging from snail soup (escargots de mer) to waffles. Photo by Eric Francis. December 23th, 2006