B.Y.O.B. - Bring Your Own Bag

The cool thing about Brussels is that on nearly every block there is some small grocery store selling a variety of healthy, natural products. At least that is how it seems to be here in the Rue de Louise area. I can't say enough about how nice this is compared to the sprawl of most large U.S. cities.

The not so cool thing is that they charge you for bags. At first, I thought they were just being stingy.

"Yes, I would like another bag. Yes. Yes, I would."

That was until I realized they were charging me for them, and they were actually being polite to ask if I wanted to pay for another.

I suppose, with all the enviro-friendly-thinking going on, this is a good thing. It's only a problem if you need to buy quite a lot, which you don't unless you have just entered the country for the first time and don't have most of the basics. Beyond that, you mostly go every few days and buy very little. The stores are close, and the food is best when fresh anyway, and walking is good for you.

HINTS:

• Buy a few bags on your first trip and then bring them back.
  
• Buy small things. Steer clear of bulky items like toilet paper.
  
• Eat less.