Brussels: Les Oeufs Impérioux

I was going to check out the Brussels Museum on Tuesday to hopefully learn more about the city (remember, no Lonely Planet!), when I became distracted by -- and later absorbed in -- something distinctly un-Belgian: a traveling exhibition of the Romanov family jewels, featuring the world famous Faberge eggs!

The story goes that Faberge and his workshop churned out at least one of these things every year in time for Easter, each more encrusted with finery and outright splendor than the last. Basically bourgeoisie from the word "Go."

A sampling from my English language audioguide, reproduced from memory (Picture a haughtier-than-though British female's voice.) :

Set against a translucent porcelain background, exquisitely cross-stitched with a fine emerald-and-gold lattice, each intersection painstakingly decorated by a cluster of five diamonds, meant not indiscreetly to represent Nicholas' five beloved children, the 1911 egg boasts an ornate patchwork of enameled portraits, that of the czar located at the crest, set beneath a fine moonstone emblazoned with the royal insignia...

Good thing I've got so much time on my hands at the airport.

OK, enough of this Europe business; it's off to the frying pan! Next transmission from Delhi.