BELGIUM

BELGIUM ~ BRUSSELS ~ 23rd-26th May 2009

A few people have asked me how I would described my time in Brussels. The only words I can come up with are: An Experience.

There were good experiences, and some I never want to live through again.
Friday night I finally left the house about dinner time and headed to London. Went to J's place and met her scary flatmates. I was meant to sleep on the couch in the kitchen but one of her flatmates was just too scary I went and hid in J's room.
Saturday morning I got up nice & early and headed down to the train station that my train to Brussels departed from. The journey was pretty smooth, I read a little, slept a little and before I knew it 2 hours had passed and I was in Brussels. Immediately I felt lost. With everything written in French, I had no hope. I am fluent in English and that is about it. I can pick up a few words in German and French but nothing that would get me far. My first task was to order food... oh dear. I was lucky that the Cafe was prepared for people like me, and had numbers on their quiches, sandwiches etc so you just had to show with your fingers what number you wanted! Made my life simple. I then attempted to find my hotel. What a nightmare. Anyone who knows me IRL, knows that I can't read a map if my life depended on it, I really can't. So I ended up about half an hour in the wrong direction. I must have looked lost as this lovely man came up to me and started speaking in French. I just looked at him and said "I'm sorry" as I had no idea what he was talking about. Then he pointed to my map and started pointing the direction I needed to go. What a godsend!!
Finally found my hotel about an hour after arriving. Check in wasn't until 3pm, so I left my bags behind the desk and went exploring. I went down to where the buses & trams left from but just ended up getting severely frustrated with myself for not being able to read the language! So I caught a taxi, at least they know where they are going, right? For a 5minute trip it was 10Euros (For a laptop sold in a European country, I'm surprised this keyboard doesn't have a Euro symbol unless I'm just missing it?!?). Anyway I went for a bit of a wander, saw some beautiful churches and buildings. The detail in the sculptures are amazing. I spent hours just looking at the all and walking through the streets. I went to a biscuit & lolly shop, Mmmm yum. I bought this cool tin from there which I will take a photo of one day. Very old fashioned, I love it. Found some market stalls up behind 'Grand Place'. They were selling mostly handmade bracelets & jewellery, statues and things made of iron/steel, candles etc. After a few hours I decided to head back to my hotel because I was exhausted. My day had started at 6:30am so I was ready for a nap. I took a taxi back, because I again, could not be assed with trying to figure out public transport. I read my Twilight books a little more and had a nap. About 7pm I decided to head out to find some food. I was determined to take the bus this time so headed towards the station. Bad experience happened then, I was shaken up and jumped into the nearest taxi when I finally got away from the asshole, don't need to share that story publicly though. So I went back into the city and found a restaurant that had a menu that vaguely resembled some English words. It was a beautiful old place, with beautiful candles, old light shades and amazing old fashioned decorations. They messed up my meal, so I got a replacement meal for free (score!). Afterwards I was still really shaken from earlier so just wanted to go back to my room. I actually wanted to come straight back to London, but since that wasn't an option, hotel room it was.
I couldn't sleep that night so stayed up til about 4am reading my book. About 1pm I decided I should probably leave my room and sight see. I didn't come all the way to Belgium to sit in my room and read, right? Though I would have been quite content to, I pushed my fears aside and visited the big bad world. As I walked out of my hotel, I was surprised by the amount of people. Turns out there are markets in the area on Sundays. I have honestly never seen sooo many people and so many stalls in one place. It was INSANE! It took over all the streets, so it was safe to cross the road for once. Have I mentioned what crazy drivers they are in Brussels? Stepping onto the road to cross is like having a death wish. Each time I'd stand by the pedestrian crossing which had a green light, take a huge deep breath and walk - REALLY fast - and still almost be run over. They don't stop for anyone or anything. It was really nerve racking being in the taxi as they drive on the right side of the road (us Aussies and Brits drive on the left) so just turning corners even seemed wrong like we were about to get smashed. It was worse then when I went to Paris.
So after walking through the markets, I headed to the tram stop. I couldn't understand a single word, yet again, but decided what the hell and just got on the first tram that came. Thought it'd be nice to see the sights. I ended up lord knows where (cos I sure don't!) The trams are way overcrowded with people, I hid in my little corner on the stairs before choosing a stop to get off. I couldn't figure out my way back, there were no taxis around and I was terrified of people by this stage so I just waited until a tram came back in the opposite direction and got on it hoping for the best. It took me back to my stop which was such a relief. I eventually found that I was meant to catch the subway tram, underground. I didn't know they had a subway in Brussels so there you go. I got into the city, had another walk around, saw some new places and the buskers by the streets. It was a really warm day which was a nice change. I took the sunny day as an opportunity to take some photos. On my little walk I found an 'Australian Home Made Ice Cream Shop'. Of all places to find something Australian, it had to be in Belgium ;) I couldn't resist so just had to have one! I can't remember what else I did that day. I'm sure I ate at some point, maybe. I remember catching the first tram in my hotel direction and ended up at my station again. I went and hid in my room again and read some more. The amount of sirens that go off, the amount of dirty creeps that are in the area, the horns that get blasted alll day everyday, even at 3am, just made me want to stay inside. I'm sure I did something else, but its not coming to me.
I only slept an hour again that night, but decided I should probably get an early start and make the most of my last day there on Monday. I went on the Hop On, Hop Off red bus tour which takes you around to all the major sights. I was quite content to just stay on the bus, thank you very much Brussels. The 90minute tour went for over 2 hours in the end! There was a protest going on near the EU, I'm guessing it had something to do with meat?? Because there were pictures of cows but I couldn't understand what they were chanting or what was on the posters. There was also a collection of loads of tractors at one point of the protest so I guess they had some meaning. We were stuck in traffic for a good 40 minutes in the 28 degree heat (84oF) but it felt hot in the direct sun. Much like Australian weather - quite nice. I got my olive skin back which I was thrilled about - was getting a bit sick of looking like a ghost. Some of my photos are on Flickr & Facebook, they pretty much sum up all the places we visited. I had a nice late lunch at a cafe/pub there and dinner & ice cream later on.
Whilst walking the streets I found some pretty cool shops. First of all, there are alot of shops full of things all things lace - wedding dresses, veils, clothes, everything.... sooo sooo beautiful and such talented people who make them. There were also a few quirky art shops, as well as a store that sold hundreds and hundreds of vinyl record. Pure heaven!! As Belgium is famous for their yummy chocolates, there were tonnes of chocolate shops. I bought some choccy but haven't ate any of it yet.

I am sure there is SO much I am missing but I really was a little out of it the whole weekend. I have tried to see and remember the positive things though. Brussels is a truly historic and beautiful city. The churches and buildings are just so amazing - there is so much to learn about the place. If anyone ever visits themselves, have fun & stay safe!

Wow - that blog took about 4 hours to write. I am so easily distracted. I think once I recover from this trip, I might go to Rome next!