Saturday, June 17, 2023

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Brussels, Belgium

8:00 AM

Holed up in a hotel in the city center of Brussels I have the television on to a station that has music in the background while showing panoramic views of various landscapes. It is quite soothing while I write about yesterday’s adventures. The hotel that I left in Amsterdam was conveniently located near Central Station, which I loved, but its location was in the heart of the touristry section, which I didn’t like. After a brief walk and breakfast, I gathered my luggage and backpack and headed to Central Station. There I took the train to the Flixbus station and waited for the bus to Brussels. The bus, although packed full, was clean and comfortable. Happy the transportation vehicles all have phone chargers. My phone does seem to be losing battery life rather quickly, although I try not to use it except when necessary. I need it for directions for sure. My seatmate on the bus was a nice young guy who I conversed with during the three-hour journey.

At the bus/tram station in Brussels, my ability to find my way was impeded by the fact that French is the primary language, lack of signage I could understand, and not being able to find help readily. My hotel room was not close by. When I finally got assistance, I walked about a half mile to the subway (Metro). Again, I had difficulty figuring out the correct train to take, but eventually got on the right one. I had to count on my fingers after each stop to ensure I got off on the right one because there was no announcement and I probably wouldn’t have understood it, in any case. The train was stifling hot and very crowded. My hotel was not far from where I got off, so that was lucky.

After another cooling shower I headed out to find a place to eat. I don’t like the city center of Brussels. I did not feel comfortable or even very safe. I needed to focus keenly on my location – where my hotel was (across from a Domino’s Pizza), which direction I was headed in and how to get back (I stayed on the same street the whole time). The sidewalks were crowded with café and pub seating. Homeless people lay about or congregate together. It smelled of trash and graffiti is plastered everywhere. I went inside a church and admired the beautiful stained glass and alter. There were about three people sitting in chairs in meditation and a man asleep on the floor. I think I heard one of the women hiss at me for taking a picture of the balcony, although I tried not to be obtrusive.

Looking for a someplace to eat took some doing. Inside pubs when I asked if they served food, I got a “No, only drinks,” response. I finally settled on a little restaurant because the slim, blonde woman with short hair smiled at me, clapped her hands as I looked inquiringly at the menu and made me feel welcome. Both that meal and the one the night before was Italian. I might just as well be in Italy for my food choices! The food and service were great. I took a picture of Georgina, who owns the restaurant with her husband. She is from Puglia. She graced me with a nice small drink of Limoncello after my meal and sent me off with a blown kiss. Nice.

Back in my hotel room I made plans for the next day. Deciding not to go to Paris because I really felt it would be too difficult to navigate the language and city, I booked a bus back to Netherlands. By the way, the bus prices are unbelievable. $20.00 for one way from one country to the next. My meal cost more than my bus ride!

I hadn’t wanted to spend my whole time in the Netherlands. England, France, and even Germany is so close, but I now feel comfortable in the Netherlands. Not Amsterdam; too expensive and too crowded. I’m heading back to Maastricht for the night. There I will enjoy walking about the historic town and learning about it more. On the recommendation of my bus mate, I will stay in a town called Urtecht at least the night before my return trip home next Wednesday.

Frankly, I wish I were going home sooner. While I’m enjoying my solo journey, I would rather be with someone I like traveling with. It would make the stress a bit easier to handle. And going early would alleviate my concern about how expensive this trip is, the greatest cost is hotel accommodation.

Until next time.