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So, I arrived in Brussels. Loved Eurostar. Way better than flying.
I had a choice I could go back to the hotel and be miserable and lonely, or I could explore. Decided to explore. Got the train into the city centre. Got lost trying to find the station. Getting lost is the way I learn an area. Eventually got to Brussels Nord. Chose a direction at random, guessing it was probably south. Turned out it was north. Took a very long time to work that out. Have now explored the north of Brussels and decided it's a bit grotty. Also accidentally managed to find the red light district. It's bizarre. You have prostitutes in windows. Illuminated by red fluorescent tubes. I never knew you could window shop for prostitutes.
The hotel I chose was a really awful choice, Expensive to get to from Brussels Midi, and while it is only 1.5km from work, I can't actually walk there. There's an impassable road, which is a shame because Zaventem proper is actually quite nice. I will be getting the bus this week. Decided to get a pass. Took forever. Queue at the travel centre and people always have complicated queries. Eventually got it. Then looked at the timetable. Seemed I had 40 minutes to get the train. Was irritated until I heard Zaventem mentioned on an announcement. Rushed to the appropriate platform and got on the train just in time. Yay!
Then found I couldn't work out which way the buses were going, and lost the bit of paper with bus numbers on. Couldn't find a taxi rank either. After traipsing around the city for several hours I just wanted to get back to a comfortable hotel. I pretty miserable by this stage. Asked for directions in a bar. Barman called for a cab. I ordered a beer in return. This made the evening immeasurably better. It was a very good beer.
Not sure how I feel. It's hard to maker a proper judgement when I've just arrived. I'm going to be a bit grumpy this week though.
I had a choice I could go back to the hotel and be miserable and lonely, or I could explore. Decided to explore. Got the train into the city centre. Got lost trying to find the station. Getting lost is the way I learn an area. Eventually got to Brussels Nord. Chose a direction at random, guessing it was probably south. Turned out it was north. Took a very long time to work that out. Have now explored the north of Brussels and decided it's a bit grotty. Also accidentally managed to find the red light district. It's bizarre. You have prostitutes in windows. Illuminated by red fluorescent tubes. I never knew you could window shop for prostitutes.
The hotel I chose was a really awful choice, Expensive to get to from Brussels Midi, and while it is only 1.5km from work, I can't actually walk there. There's an impassable road, which is a shame because Zaventem proper is actually quite nice. I will be getting the bus this week. Decided to get a pass. Took forever. Queue at the travel centre and people always have complicated queries. Eventually got it. Then looked at the timetable. Seemed I had 40 minutes to get the train. Was irritated until I heard Zaventem mentioned on an announcement. Rushed to the appropriate platform and got on the train just in time. Yay!
Then found I couldn't work out which way the buses were going, and lost the bit of paper with bus numbers on. Couldn't find a taxi rank either. After traipsing around the city for several hours I just wanted to get back to a comfortable hotel. I pretty miserable by this stage. Asked for directions in a bar. Barman called for a cab. I ordered a beer in return. This made the evening immeasurably better. It was a very good beer.
Not sure how I feel. It's hard to maker a proper judgement when I've just arrived. I'm going to be a bit grumpy this week though.
