Cold in Brussels

I never really thought about the weather conditions in Brussels. I just thought that it is somehow similar to that of France. So I was ill-prepared when I arrived at the airport and was welcomed by rain and strong winds! I was literally shaking because I was so cold. My coat was still inside my checked-in luggage! And the possibilitty that we would walk in the open to go to the airplane (a bus brought us to the loading area) never crossed my mind! Just one of those experiences.

Brussels is a small city. I think it only has three metro lines (Paris has 13 or 14, plus the city rails). I decided to just focus on two areas since I had limited time. The Atomium and Mini Europe area, and the Grand Central area. I am to say that I was able to find the "must-see" places even without a map! This happens when you did not prepare for your side trip!

I saw so many chocolates stores and entered shops of beers. I saw the statue of pissing boy (pictures when I get back). I ate a panini while looking at buildings. I basically just walked and walked until I got tired. And took a lot of pictures and only had one my own taken.

Saturday night saw me inside an Irish pub. I met around ten new people. The interesting thing was that not one among us was Belge! There were Bulgarians, a German, a Polish and several Italians (and two other people whose nationality I did not hear). It was interesting to exchange stories about how we got there. What I found so "international" about the situation was one Bulgarian was working in Macedenia for a Chinese company. He is in Brussels togetehr with his girlfriend who is studying in Netherlands. It was a fun albeit a smoky night.

I had a short yet a wonderful time in Brussels. What made it more meaningful was the kindness of this Bulgarian couple who became my friends while they were in Manila. And here, halfway around the world, we just laughed, talked about the international business situation, and planned to see each other again somewhere (either in Asia or Prague) someday.