Arriving on the Thursday evening, my first impression of Brussels was the way it lit-up in the darkness, once I stopped panicking about tram directions. This was my first time travelling to another country alone but I think the Belgian transport system isn’t too difficult and they all have card readers, so its simply tapping like TFL once on-board. Save the Bonjours for Boulangeries, trust me. Meeting my friend and her colleagues in the city, we walked through Grand-Place, the central square, which was adorned in blue lights. In true Brussels fashion, we had drinks outside of European Parliament, surrounded by many other interns. It’s such a youthful, vibrant, and multicultural place to be.
Aside from Mannekin-Pis, waffles, beer and chips, I didn’t think I knew that much about Belgian culture. Since my friend was at work, Friday was my day to make like Anthony Bourdain – ‘Be a traveller, not a tourist’. The only spot I had in mind, particularly to escape the rain, was the Magritte Museum and so that became the central base for where my wandering took me. From Pâtisseries to parks to antique shops, I explored with French/Flemish music playing in my headphones and little worry for anything else. Coming from a family that makes sure to do as much as possible on holiday, I feel like you can form a different relationship with a city this way. Waking up hungover on Saturday, the main thing on my agenda was to at least try a waffle but other than that I was happy for us to wander aimlessly before heading to Ghent. We didn’t follow it exactly but stumbled along the comic strip trail, seeing the Smurfs and Tintin, before inhaling some famously delicious liege waffles.
Just 30-minutes away via train, Ghent is a magical medieval and more traditionally Flemish city. We were shown around by a native friend on an evening stroll and were amazed by its architecture and Dutch influence. With its canals and bikes, it reminded me of Amsterdam, yet still holding its Belgian character with a castle randomly in the middle of it. I’d recommend getting a drink in Het Spijker, its possibly the coolest tavern/bar I’ve been too and is intimately lit by candle-light. Ghent and Brussels are now two of my favourite cities I’ve visited, perhaps because of how artsy they are but I think because I fully emersed myself in noticing my surroundings. It certainly helps to have locals to give you pointers too. And not arguing with complaining family members.