My dream city come true! Seriously, cities keep getting better and better as I travel my way through this world. In case those hints weren’t clicking for you,
I have ended up in Belgium!
Some general thoughts on Europe before I continue: first and foremost, people do not have spatial awareness or even consideration for other people just standing there. I was at the train station in Copenhagen this morning and a woman (clearly European) practically runs me over because she’s busy talking to her friends. I’m literally standing still and was already planted firmly there first. I scowl at her because I may be unassuming and try not to stick out in a crowd (and because I haven’t had coffee yet) but hello, I’m standing here minding my business. I figure, fine, I won’t see this lady ever again. Boy was I wrong. We get onto the train and she (plus her friends) sit right across from me.. I’m like, “go away.” In my head, I didn’t actually say anything to her. I’m particularly kind and respectful to people’s faces. So the train stops and I’m itching to get off and away from her. I don’t know why, I wasn’t late for the plane, I just wanted away. So I jump out into the aisle before she can. And she gives me a strange look, like I should have let her go first. Well newsflash lady, if you didn’t almost knock me over, I would have been kinder to the elderly. Yes, she was older. I figure, it’s a big airport, I’ll never see her again. Oh no, clearly I’m connected to this woman because not only is she on my flight to Brussels, she is actually on the train I’m taking from the airport to Brussels Central train station. Luckily, I get off the train and she continues on. The lesson of the day: the world is a really small place. So if you think you won’t run into someone again, the universe will put you in your place pretty quickly.
Back to Brussels…it’s a cool city. I got a good vibe even just walking around looking for body wash and a new pair of sandals. Yes, we’ve already discussed how small my luggage is but my fake birkenstocks broke already. So I was left with 2 decisions: 1) forgo sandals in 1,000,000 degree heat – I still have 2 pairs of sneakers or 2) drop some dough and find a pair of sandals that I can rock in the States and have people ask me where I got them and me smiling, knowingly, that they’ll never find a pair like them back home. I opted for #2 because I love when people compliment me on things I’ve picked up overseas. We’ve already established I might be a tad vain.
I’m at the hostel which is more like a B&B. I have my own room!! And I booked this tour for tomorrow afternoon. Full report after tomorrow’s tour. I’ll leave you guessing what could be worth 80€.
There She Goes... 