I didn't really know anything about Belgique/België (except that they make good chocolate and good beer) or Bruxelles. But I had no expectations. I flew into Charleroi airport, and hen had to take a shuttle bus into Bruxelles. I wished that the flight was longer- I slept the whole way, even through landing! I didn't have the directions to the hostel, so at the Midi I had to find some wifi and find my way. I had only one issue getting to the hostel, but seeing as I speak sub-par travel French, I was able to ask "Où est Place Stephanie?" I found my house, it was amazing, and only just caught Karel before he went out. So I was able to check in earlier, get a map, and he pointed some things out for me to see. He really welcomed me in and made me feel at home. It was actually a 1930's aristocratic home, and it was beautiful.
I ended up walking around for 5 hours that evening. I followed the blue trail on my map, which ended up being the comic strip walk. I didn't realize this and I wondered why the mad kept sending me down dead ends. But it also took me through very cool parts of Brussels, where shops of antiques and vintage clothing were in abundance. If I didn't have to worry about baggage allowance and lugging things around I would have snapped up vintage silk scarves, hats, skits, fur jackets, bags... Oh! So much! I kept walking around, and once I figured I was on the comic strip walk I started looking at the walls that were painted with Ric Hochet, Tintin and Le Chien. They were very colourful and gave the city a very cool characteristic. I went passed the famous Manneken-Pis, and bought a chocolate covered waffle. It was difficult to eat without covering my face in melted chocolate. I wandered of the blue path in to the Grand Palace, I couldn't not walk into it, and looked all around. It was hard not to keep looking. I was also started to get tired, and there was still so much to cover on the C.S walk, so I ended up cutting some parts out. I liked what I saw of Brussels, though.
one of the many vinage shops in Bruxelles
Manneken-Pis
yummy waffles
From the comic strip walk, 'fireworks'
Another from the comic strip walk
this little piggy went to market... actually, he is just part of a bigger picture.
On Sunday I had the whole day. I got up, and set out to do the Art Nouveau walk, and the European Union walk. I also went and explored the flea market, and bagged myself a beautiful vintage scarf for €6! The first part of the walk I did took me to more markets, I was feeling sick still, and it was a bit cold, so I skipped a few. I walked to the 'Flagey', saw a nice park with duck that looked like they were on 'roids, and then walked up to the main avenue. From here I worked out that I could easily join onto the European Union walk. So I stare on for the EU Un. It's not a particularly beautiful part of the city, but a visit to the capital of Europe would be complete if I didn't walk around the part where all the action happened! There is also a beautiful garden, Parc du cinquantenaire, with a museum. I didn't go in to the museum, but the outside is pretty.
Parc du cinquantenaire
EU stars were everwhere!
After here, I walked to Jardin du Bruxelles, and then back to Grand Palace. After seeing this beautiful square again, I ventured to Godiva for a chocolate treat, And also got a hot chocolate to warm up my soul. Then it started to rain, and I had to find my way back to the hostel. I was a bit delayed by the rain, but I got home and hopped into bed to warm up... And fell asleep.
Grand Palace
more of the Grand Palace
A beautiful jardin that I came across
Only for a little though. The boys were going out for some food, and I figured that I should eat, too. We also checked in a girl who had arrived at the hostel. Karel wasn't home, an we couldn't just leave this girl outside! So we checked her in, showed her the room, and she joined us for food. After kababs, we went to Delirium Village, to a pub that had 2,004 types of beer! Too bad I don't drink beer! After 2 beers, we made our way home.
Delirium village
Bruxelles by night
Once we got home I still had to figure out what I was doing for Amsterdam; plans had fallen through, and I had no where to stay. I didn't even know where I was going! But it worked itself out! Phew! I'm finding that my stress levels have changed over the past 2 months. At the start was much more on top of things, and needed them to be organised. Now I don't really care too much. After figuring out the basics (the time of my train, to which station). I then went to bed.
Again I slept well, though a few more hours would have been great. I had breakfast, thanked Karel for his amazing hospitality and walked to the train station with Nate. I got on my brief 2 hour train to Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
xx
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