Brussels was never a top travel destination for me. In fact, the city wasn't even on my radar until Caron mentioned that she and a friend were making a trip there and wondered if I wanted to come along. Airfare was a mere €40 round trip, and I couldn't pass up a deal like that. So I bought my tickets, booked a hostel, and started researching.
The internet doesn't seem to like Brussels very much. The reviews and blogs I read suggested choosing a different Belgian city, Antwerp or Bruges perhaps. There were a few fans out there who talked of the chocolates, the "frites", and the Grand Place Square...but even these said that there really wasn't that much to do there. I guess that should be expected from a town whose biggest attraction is a two foot tall statue of a peeing boy...
So it was with low expectations that I woke up Friday morning and made my way to the bus stop. I was early-my flight wasn't until 1:45pm-but I didn't feel like hanging around the house doing nothing any longer. The bus and metro seemed to be running quicker and more efficiently than usual. I made it to the airport in record time. There was nobody in line at security (something I've never experienced. I just walked right through, it was so weird!) so I ended up getting to my gate two hours before take off. An hour later I found out my flight was delayed another forty five minutes. We waited at the gate for the longest time, until finally they made an announcement saying the gate had been changed. Ugh. So after walking ten minutes to the other gate, more waiting in line, and having someone take my seat on the plane, we finally took off.
I had told Caron that I'd wait for her at the airport. She was supposed to get there forty minutes after me. But with the delay we got in nearly an hour later, despite the small airport, Caron was nowhere to be found. There was no wifi to contact each other, so I went ahead and got on the shuttle that would take me into the city, hoping we'd be able to communicate once we were both at our hostels.
It was 7pm when the shuttle stopped in front in the train station. I found the tram I needed to take to the hostel and got off on the right stop. From there I walked a few minutes to the hostel.
I was tired. I had a major headache, and I was already nervous about having had to navigate through a new city in the dark. So when they told me I had to pay in cash, I was upset. Nowhere on the website had it said that credit cards were only allowed for payments over €100. I complained, but was pointed in the direction if a cash machine. The machine wouldn't accept my card. It was only when I went back and told them this that they allowed me to pay by credit card. Dumb.
As if that wasn't frustrating enough, I didn't realize I was checking in at one building and staying in another. The building that I'd be staying in was a ten minute walk from the check in one. Frustrated, I took the room keys and a map and started walking. So far, Brussels was not my friend.
Then I came to the street where my hostel was located. I was suddenly in the "old town", where beautiful buildings lined small, pedestrian streets. People were everywhere. Every other store was a chocolate shop, and every window was decorated for Christmas. I dropped my bag off at my room and went back out to explore, no longer feeling as exhausted or frustrated. Thirty seconds from my hostel is the amazing Grand Place, a giant square with absolutely gorgeous buildings. It was so cool to see them all lit up, with people milling about the square, taking pictures, and eating waffles or fries. The negative feelings I'd felt at the beginning of my time here quickly dissolved. Brussels is beautiful.
There were so many people about that I felt completely fine taking a stroll through the square and the many old streets surrounding it. I hadn't eaten since lunch, so I bought a traditional Belgian waffle for dinner. They have lots of options for toppings: whipped cream, chocolate, strawberries, nuts, bananas, and more. But I got the classic: a freshly made waffle sprinkled with a bit if powdered sugar. Wow. I'm pretty sure Belgians laugh at our sorry excuses for waffles. This was almost caramelized on the outside, with a hot, fluffy inside that tasted much more like a doughnut or cinnamon roll than what I've know to be a waffle. It was THE BEST. SO good!
When I'd finished the waffle (which didn't take long, considering its size and it's deliciousness) I was about ready to head back to the hostel. But first I wanted to try some of the famous Belgian chocolates. It was difficult to choose a place; I bet I saw 20 different shops tonight! Eventually I went into "Elisabeth's Chocolatiers" and got just two pieces to try. Milk chocolate filled with caramel, and a coconut milk chocolate truffle. They came in an adorable little box that didn't stay closed for long. Both were very good, but the truffle was heavenly! I'll have to go back so I can bring some home. Then again, they might not last that long :)
As I walked I caught glimpses of statues, fountains, churches, and other buildings that I'll have to check out tomorrow. I'm meeting Caron in the morning and we'll see where we go from there. We didn't plan a lot for this trip, but sometimes that makes the experience even better. I had a wonderful end to my first night here (even with a not so wonderful start) and I'm excited to see what the rest of the weekend holds :)
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