Brussels witnessed me entering yet another 'Era!' Not making any apologies, I wanted to see the sweetest things in that Belgian capital! Blessed with sunshine and warmth, I forged ahead! Sweet like chocolate? You already know! From 'Grand Place' to the 'European Parliament, I made that day happen with a palace clocked even though it was closed! Beer in the park? Done!
I had my game face on, fresh from a dead sleep after my mammoth 'Flanders' coach trip, I surfaced early on! 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner' would be observed, I had major moves to make in-between those crucial food and culture spots. Brussels didn't need to 'cool down or simmer', my centrally located hotel saw me jumping on the Metro with the quickness, so long 'Rogier!' Yes, those historic streets were being swept away after people had been spending their night time coins. I weaved in and out of that street cleaning operation because it was before breakfast, I wasn't about to play with my own time! Brussels knew that I wanted to see that cheeky 'Mannken Pis' before I would jet off to the United Kingdom the following day! The U.K left the 'E.U Group Chat' but I wanted to catch a glimpse of that modern looking 'European Parliament' building. Chocolate? Oh, I would be getting some gifts that were sweet enough to go! Grand, who? Honestly, I was onto those tourist crowds because during that hour they were sleeping!
Opulent Baroque Guildhalls? Not its own 'Flamboyant Town Hall?' Neo-Gothic Realness? Brussels took me to those places and more! 'Grand Place' didn't play! Early on, I wanted to snatch those 'less than touristic' views across that legendary Belgian historic square, 'Grote Markt' if you're nasty! I was on an actual mission, I knew that making that 'key landmark' move early on would allow me to serve a contrast once those tourists and enterprises could fully litter the place up! For me, I felt very small in that moment because those towering period buildings were astonishing, say what you want because my head was clear! Grand Place was on another level, another travel dream made a reality! The assignment had been understood! I didn't care about the finer details because I knew that Brussels made those miles flown worth every fiber of jet lag or tiredness! I had timed things right, I wasn't about to get mad about the tour group who shared my view, they were trying to do the same as me! Who needed the loo?! Not me, Brussels!
'Manneken Pis' was another key Belgian landmark that I needed to see before I left Belgium! Located just around the corner from Grand Place and Grassmarkt, I was able to find that 'Little Pissing Man' with my own eyes! Yet another sight clocked before the crowds dared litter that famous view, I wasn't about to miss out! Now, I was intrigued by this cheeky sight, it was nothing like I had seen! People were actually traveling from overseas to see this small statue weeing into a fountain? I was one of those people and I didn't have a problem to announce that to Brussels. My visit to see the Manneken Pis was brief, I had to keep it moving! Now, I have just done some reading to find out that the statue I saw was an actual replica! I feel cheated in one way but understand that the original dated back to 1619 with the replica from 1965. You know what, people can't be trusted and if I thought about, a fair few people have imitated Manneken Pis's actions next to the fountain! No questions! B, I wanted to take things in a royal direction.
Done with the 'Atomium', sure the transportation system saw me changing lines and getting a bit confused. Nevertheless, I arrived outside Belgium's official royal residence without realising it was closed to visitors due to some reason? I can't quite remember the reason why the 'Royal Palace of Brussels' was closed but I made my way into the nearby 'Parc du Bruxelles' to see what scenic finds I could unearth. There I found a lovely ice cold pint of lager, it was great that they accepted cash because out of China, cash is king for me! No, I didn't appreciate that 'contactless' vibe!' It felt bittersweet because it was my last official day spent in Brussels and Belgium, I wasn't about to get sad about that! The park was lovely, it was bliss to finally sit down and not worry about making another connection for at least twenty minutes. Yes, watching people pass was nice, it was great to soak in that Belgian environment. I caught the grandeur of the palace from the outside, Brussels wasn't going make me feel bitter! So, I went back to ces rues belges!
Belgium is known as a 'neutral' country, being the mediator it seemed fiitting for me to quietly visit the area surrounding the 'European Parliament'. Of course, access was a gray area because I hadn't checked online if they operated tours like the 'United Nations HQ' in NYC. Being a 'UK Citizen', I remember that 2021 day when the British flag was uprooted from outside of the parliament buildings. People had voted, I had not. I wanted to see take in that super clean and glass-cad area, it was a must! It was weird but expected not to see the UK flag fluttering but we all know how those 'E.U stamps' currently litter our British passports at ports of entry within the Eurozone. I do wish the European stye 'E.S.T.A' gets put into motion, we really don't need to be held up at passport control because a cross-section of society thought we would be better off 'out of it!' Not my words! My walk around that 'embassy laden part of town was brief, I needed to keep on moving! Which part of the city would I visit next? 'Tintin' she better don't! Train first!
Taking the train to 'Bruxelles Central' needed to be done, I wanted to get back to where I had started off that morning. It took me a few moments to get past those pedestrian diversions, they were trying to try me! I soon figured out where I was heading to, it wasn't difficult to clock my breakfast waffle spot even though those tourist crowds swarmed those pint-sized streets! I was not long ready for my main meal of the day, those 'Steak Frites' would be worth it! Yes, I was in the land of 'Tintin', 'The Smurfs' and 'Asetrix', so I thought it would be fitting to visit a comic shop to see what was on offer! Now, I saw lovely 'Tintin' comic books but the series I liked were only in French! I did visit the official Tintin shop but those prices really didn't warrant a purchase, the comics were just an idea. Those tourists were really doing the most, I was feeling glad that I had started out in that area earlier on before those tourists left their accommodation. I had some things to buy before I left Brussels, to find something sweet had to be done! Gaan!
In the land of chocolate, I had promised a dear friend that I would bring her some 'Belgian Chocolates' back from Belgium. I saw 'La Belgique Gourmande' the first time as I headed back towards 'Grand Place', I wanted to see how that majestic square looked later on during the day? Yes, it was busy but there was a buzz about it with people sat out drinking and eating. I made my own choices to see that hotpsot earlier on because I wanted to captured a rare stilness. Back to the chocolate, I walked into that 'Chocolaterie' to be greeted by the rich aroma of Belgian chocolate. I marveled at the wide variety of chocolatey treats, I was spoiled for choice! I wanted to make my purchase swiftly because the allure of the chocolates was becoming a lot to deal with, I wanted them all! I had already consumed a respectable amount of chocolates whilst in Belgium, secretly I did feel content. Satisfied with my chocolate purchases, I headed for something more substantial but you can read about that elsewhere! To go out out? Oh, I didn't!
After I had freshend up and my case had been packed, I headed back into town towards 'Kolenmarkt/Rue du Marché au Charbon'. That area served Brussels's own Gay nightlife area, I had chose a very quiet night because most places primarily opened at the weekends and on that night they weren't. I was being mindful! I enjoyed a beer or two to start with, moving on to another place for a cocktail before having another beer. I decided to call it a night before midnight because I wasn't about to board another flight either still drunk nor hungover, that wasn't part of the plan! My super full packed day in Brussels was just the ticket, I was able to see all of the main sights and more! I went to bed that night feeling very satisfied that all of those Belgian boxes had been ticked, no stone had been left unturned! Brussels won't be seeing me again but I will definitely continue to drink more Belgian beer and eat those chocolates! Getting my things together, so I departed hangover free and with the United Kingdom set in my sights!
Brussels Was A Lot!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
