Originally, my easyjet ticket didn't confirm/book, so we spent quite a bit of time assuming I was on the same flight as Steph and Gil. However, we discovered a few months before that, I had not actually received any confirmation. We thought that this meant I would miss the trip, but after quick scan of cheap airlines I was able to find a flight leaving about ten minutes after their flight and at relatively the same price. So while we left at approximately the same time, we were on different flights there and back (Steph and Gilberto came back on Monday, while I came back on Sunday). Anyways the the three of us went to the airport together early that morning and met up again 2 hours later in Belgium.
Now, the people in Belgium were much nicer than the people in Ireland...North Ireland, I should specify. For example, we took the train from the airport to downtown Brussels and when the ticket collector came he told us that we were, mistakenly, sitting in first class. When we made a move to switch seats he told us not to worry, he was running the whole show and it was fine by him. Hell. Thats even nicer than the people in Switzerland. And France. And well..most people who work on trains are jerks out right.
Anyways upon arrival into downtown Brussels we wandered for a bit - stopped inside a gift shop - then got waffles. Because seriously, how can you go to Belgium and not get waffles? Or french fries (turns out they invented them). We were mostly hanging around that morning in the city square waiting for Ine. A friend of ours (who Gilberto had met initially) who had lived at the foyer until January. As we stood around the square we watched a bunch of Thai performing artist (? -- assumption) bring materials and such into wherever they would be performing, we marveled at the architecture, and we picked up a gift for Ine who was letting us stay at her brother and sister's student house for the night. And then suddenly, admist all this gazing, I looked over to my left to see Ine running towards us - the trip could begin!
Ine gave us a quick tour of Brussels, including bringing us to mannequinpis (or whatever that guy peeing is called). He was dressed in army clothes (aparently he has over 300 costumes... and I can't help but wonder if they ever don't clothe him). The army get up was for some sort of festivities that were occurring that day. Some sort of veteran thing as all these old men with crazy mustaches were crowded within that little square. We gawked at the insane facial hair before moving to have hot chocolate in this art-nouveau type building where enjoyed a pretty great view of the city. Following our hot chocolate and dime tour of Belgium we hopped a train and headed for Gent - a cute little University town where Ine had arranged for us to stay (in her brother and sister's apartment). Ine and Steph spent a couple of hours wandering Gent while Gilberto and I checked out a castle. We were given the audio tour, which was actually a big ol remote thing with a screen showing some movie that they had made to explain the history of the castle. Unfortunately it was too long, kind of boring, and really distracting - so I turned it off after a couple of chapters and Gilberto and I wandered through the rooms trying to appreciate its history despite our ignorance.
Now I can't remember if it was in Gent or Belgium, but at some point while wandering streets with Ine on our way to cute little pub, we realized that street music performances were in full force - more festivities, imagine! Anyways, our favourite, was by far, or at least my favourite by far, was a pretty large band with hippy arty super cool looking peoples playing trumpets and large marching band type instruments. They were a lot of fun, jumping up and down and dancing with the crowd that had gathered - including a little boy who kept wandering near them.
That night Gilberto and Ine went to a party while Steph and I hung back. We hadn't brought bed sheets or sleeping bags and thus spent most of the night trying to figure out what to use to keep ourselves warm as there were not sheets - including covering ourselves with pillows. Needless to say it was a cold night - but one that brought the next morning and a day trip to Bruges - a gorgeous, small but touristy town in Belgium. We spent the day in Bruges doing a walking tour that Ine had printed off for us (not a tour with guides - just a suggested walk that she found on their tourism website). While there we also ate french fries - which apparently were invented in Belgium and are therefore some sort of...I duno, national snack. Apparently Tin Tin is also a Belgium creation. Imagine. All these great things from one little country. Gilberto and Steph took me back to Belgium, where they would spend the night and the next day, while I headed back to Geneva to work on Monday. I was certainly upset to leave so early as Belgium is a really cool country, and one that seems to be calling me to return. But until then, I have these great memories, and of course, a photo blog:
