Country 3 - BELGIUM (Day 1)
When I started planning my next adventure I can honestly say that Belgium was not at the top of my list. It actually wasn't on my list at all. I knew I wanted to go somewhere in Europe, and I was debating between Budapest and Bucharest. How I ended up in Belgium was quite simple, the flights looked good. Since there are no direct flights from the USA to either of my top choices, I started looking at where I could fly. After days of checking loads (since I was flying stand-by and not actually purchasing a ticket), and connection options, my plans were taking my to Brussels. Not knowing a whole lot about this city, I started to do a little research, and decided to put Hungary and Romania on the back burner for now. After all how could a country that is known for Chocolate and Beer be that bad?
The one thing with flying stand-by (as many of my fellow airline friends know) is that you have to be flexible. By the time the day came for me to leave, the flight to Brussels was oversold. No Problem, the flight to Dusseldorf, Germany was pretty much empty. Once arriving in Dusseldorf, I bought a train ticket to Brussels, and waited for my train (I was lucky that there was an actual train station at the airport.) I got on what I thought was the right train, and settled in. According to my ticket, I had 2 stops before changing trains, but when we arrived at the first stop the conductor told me this was the end of the line for this train and everyone had to get off. Hmmm, I'm by myself, in one country trying to get to another, haven't slept, and basically not off to a good start. After a little investigating I figure out that since I got on the wrong train I now have to buy another ticket for a different train, but it doesn't leave for a couple of hours. The only thing in the train station is a McDonald's, so I am quite embarrassed to say that my first meal of my trip was french fries and a coke.
My train finally arrived, but when I boarded I noticed that it was full. Not a seat to be found. I saw a girl sitting on her suitcase on the floor, and she asked me to join her. What the hell, not the most comfortable option, but it will work. After talking to her, we realized that we were on the same flight together to Dusseldorf from the States, and we were both heading to Brussels. What a small world! The train took about an hour, and since I could barely keep my eyes open at this point, made an executive decision to take a taxi to my hotel.
I stayed at the Scandic Grand Hotel, and after checking in, the first thing I did was take a long hot bath, and an even longer 5 hour nap. Normally when I travel to Europe, I try to get my body adjusted to local time, and try not to sleep a lot the first day. I just couldn't help it, what should have taken just over 2 hours to get to Brussels took me 7,
After waking up, I decided to do a little exploring. I was staying a block away from "The Grand Place", which is an amazing square in Brussels. I explored Grand Place a Little, and then started searching for a place to eat. I was starving! As I was walking through one of the many streets filled with restaurants, and bars, when a gentleman offered me free Champagne if I ate at his restaurant. What the hell, I was sold. Since I am not a huge fan of Champagne, I was actually able to change it for Beer (which turned into 3). I ordered Carbonnade or Flemish Stew (which is basically Beef braised in Beer), French Fries (everything comes with french fries), and for dessert, a Belgium Waffle (my very first waffle of my life.) I was in Love. Everything was amazingly delicious.
I decided to walk back to the hotel, and call it a night. It has been such a long day, but amazing day, and I couldn't wait to go exploring tomorrow
When I started planning my next adventure I can honestly say that Belgium was not at the top of my list. It actually wasn't on my list at all. I knew I wanted to go somewhere in Europe, and I was debating between Budapest and Bucharest. How I ended up in Belgium was quite simple, the flights looked good. Since there are no direct flights from the USA to either of my top choices, I started looking at where I could fly. After days of checking loads (since I was flying stand-by and not actually purchasing a ticket), and connection options, my plans were taking my to Brussels. Not knowing a whole lot about this city, I started to do a little research, and decided to put Hungary and Romania on the back burner for now. After all how could a country that is known for Chocolate and Beer be that bad?
The one thing with flying stand-by (as many of my fellow airline friends know) is that you have to be flexible. By the time the day came for me to leave, the flight to Brussels was oversold. No Problem, the flight to Dusseldorf, Germany was pretty much empty. Once arriving in Dusseldorf, I bought a train ticket to Brussels, and waited for my train (I was lucky that there was an actual train station at the airport.) I got on what I thought was the right train, and settled in. According to my ticket, I had 2 stops before changing trains, but when we arrived at the first stop the conductor told me this was the end of the line for this train and everyone had to get off. Hmmm, I'm by myself, in one country trying to get to another, haven't slept, and basically not off to a good start. After a little investigating I figure out that since I got on the wrong train I now have to buy another ticket for a different train, but it doesn't leave for a couple of hours. The only thing in the train station is a McDonald's, so I am quite embarrassed to say that my first meal of my trip was french fries and a coke.
My train finally arrived, but when I boarded I noticed that it was full. Not a seat to be found. I saw a girl sitting on her suitcase on the floor, and she asked me to join her. What the hell, not the most comfortable option, but it will work. After talking to her, we realized that we were on the same flight together to Dusseldorf from the States, and we were both heading to Brussels. What a small world! The train took about an hour, and since I could barely keep my eyes open at this point, made an executive decision to take a taxi to my hotel.
I stayed at the Scandic Grand Hotel, and after checking in, the first thing I did was take a long hot bath, and an even longer 5 hour nap. Normally when I travel to Europe, I try to get my body adjusted to local time, and try not to sleep a lot the first day. I just couldn't help it, what should have taken just over 2 hours to get to Brussels took me 7,
After waking up, I decided to do a little exploring. I was staying a block away from "The Grand Place", which is an amazing square in Brussels. I explored Grand Place a Little, and then started searching for a place to eat. I was starving! As I was walking through one of the many streets filled with restaurants, and bars, when a gentleman offered me free Champagne if I ate at his restaurant. What the hell, I was sold. Since I am not a huge fan of Champagne, I was actually able to change it for Beer (which turned into 3). I ordered Carbonnade or Flemish Stew (which is basically Beef braised in Beer), French Fries (everything comes with french fries), and for dessert, a Belgium Waffle (my very first waffle of my life.) I was in Love. Everything was amazingly delicious.
I decided to walk back to the hotel, and call it a night. It has been such a long day, but amazing day, and I couldn't wait to go exploring tomorrow
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