Brussels (Belgium) | Another Go - 23 Aug, 2023

I passed this reflecting pond in Brussels, close to where I stayed. This is one of the nicer parts of this strange city, Brussels. 

As I prepare my things this morning, I notice I am ready to leave Amsterdam, though I still long to return to Utrecht. That city really made a strong impression on me. "What time does your train leave Amsterdam?" asks Bruno. My is scheduled at 1pm. How about you? I reply. "I'm leaving at 1220 p.m. Want to take the tram together?" he says. Sure thing, it would give us more time to visit, I reply. 

Over the last couple of days, Bruno and I have spent a fair bit of time together. I enjoy his presence because we also respect each other's time to be alone. While traveling, I noticed that people struggle to spend time apart when they make a strong connection. It is important to me, and I also allow space for others to find time for themselves.

I have been to Berlin yet, but I hear it is a great city. You'll love your time there, Bruno, I say. "Yes. I am looking forward to it. I can't wait to try wandering and discovering the city on my own," he says. Flaneuring is not for everyone, and you may not like it, but I love it and feel it allows me to connect with a city. I hope it works out for you, I say. "I've never been to Brussels either," he says. I'd like to see what I think of that city the second time around. Most people have told me that they don't like it. I'm keeping an open mind, I tell him. 

We arrive at Amsterdam Centraal to confirm our platforms and departure times. Then we exchange hugs and part ways. I am going to miss Bruno. He was a pleasant surprise, and I am glad I spent as much time with him as I did. I hope he finds his way in Berlin and eases up on judging himself.

The three-hour train ride was uneventful, exactly how I like it. When I arrived at Brussels Midi Train Station, this time, there was no pungent smell of urine near the tram stop. In fact, I noticed that the place had been totally cleaned up. All the homeless people, mattresses, and other belongings had been removed. So in addition to it smelling better the aesthetics were improved, too. It's a beautiful day in Brussels today. Maybe the weather is finally turning, and I'll be able to take advantage of the shorts I brought on my trip. So far, I have worn pants close to 95% of my time here. I keep hearing from locals that it is unseasonably cool this year. 

After checking in and dropping off my bag, I head to wander Brussels. The picture below sums up what I experienced in Brussels reasonably well. The city is diverse, and it feels like the architecture is a mish-mash of styles juxtaposed next to each other. I notice the skyrise buildings in the background, the older buildings in the foreground, and strange forms in the middle.  

I ping Céline and ask her if she has any news on her car. "The insurance ruled my car a total loss. I've already found another one. I really like my Dacia, so I am going to buy another. I am just waiting for the money," she writes. Wow! Things move fast in France. I am sorry. I know how much you liked it. I am happy you find another one. It is a good choice. It protected us well," I say. "How is it up north?" she writes. I let her know about my adventures in the Netherlands and also how I am struggling with Brussels. "Brussels has some nice areas, but they are disjointed and can be hard to find at times," she writes. I'll see if I change my mind after flaneuring this afternoon. 😅 After a few more back and forth, we wish each a nice day and continue on with our afternoons.

Porte de Hal (Halle Gate) reminds me of the Porte de Calihou in Bordeaux. Halle Gate was built in 1383 A.D. and once served as one of the main gates to the second wall of Brussels. In the 19th century, it was renovated into a neo-gothic style and now serves as a museum. It is a magnificent building, and I wonder what the medieval city of Brussels looked like because, other than this gate, I have seen little remnants of it.

The marquee for Cinema Nova makes me laugh as I pass by. I wonder, what if we simply accepted each other as we are like on this marquee? The Cinema is a one-screen theatre dedicated to independent films and videos, which is run by a non-profit in Brussels. Their manifesto states, "Nova was created to explore and articulate the realities and alternatives of an increasingly commercialized and polarised society. A society dominated by media technology, the ethics of privatization, and the conformity of images. It was born from a desire to develop tools and a space for research, reflection, connection, confrontation, creation, and experimentation in the realm of images, particularly in Cinema." No wonder why this place resonated with me.

I am finally starting to lean into Brussels. It's an eclectic and diverse city with a well-known street art community. There's even a Bansky Museum with all his works on display. The street art in Brussels is more refined than in Bristol, United Kingdom. However, Streetartcities has an interactive map for Brussels that depicts all the art and locations. One of my favorite pieces is the one below. I couldn't help but laugh at the irony when I saw this. It reminded me of people I know in the United States who claim to live in the most accessible place in the world, yet they frequently find themselves slaves to their consumerism, which keeps them from being free to do what they genuinely want to do. 

I flaneured for hours today in Brussels, and although I found some places that resonated with me, I can't wait to leave this city. Overall, I wish to spend less time here in this city. I walked through too many places, like the staircase leading away from the Justice Palace reeking of uric acid. On this trip, I found a city I loved, Utrecht, and one I didn't care for, Brussels. That's unusual. I have not had such strong reactions like this previously in my travels. I visited lots of cities that were beautiful and many that were just ok. I like that now, I am having these feelings.