ERASMUS TIMES: Brussels. Belgium.

Oh, hello. A couple of weeks ago me and the others (or should I say the others and I) decided to make a 'blind booking' with Germanwings and take a little adventure. What is a blind booking, you may ask? Well, for the modest sum of €66, Germanwings will send you to a surprise location in Europe on your selected dates. Our destination turned out to be Brussels, Belgium.

Our flights ended up being quite early, which meant we had to got to Stuttgart by train the evening before and dawdle overnight in the airport. We got the night train, which facilitated for many encounters with characters and interesting types. One such character was 'Jesus von Nazareth,' who tried to strike up conversation with us, which was an alarming incident. We then had a little stopover in Ulm, which was spent in Burger King (wherein they were playing The Thrills; oh the nostalgia). The airport was fairly desolate by the time we got there, but we managed to dick about until check-in.

More than just Grand Place. 

Our hotel in Brussels was thankfully near the train station. Unfortunately, this area happened to be what many of us independently referred to as 'the ghetto.' Once checked in we all went for a sorely needed nap. We then roamed the ghetto for awhile, hastily retreating to the hotel before long. After another brief nap we ventured to the city centre, where we saw the Grand Place and got our dindins in the Hard Rock Cafe.

The following morning we sought out the European Parliament, like the good European citizens we are. Unfortunately we were not able to take a little tour, but we got by, by taking a little wander. In the information centre we amused ourselves by looking for documents translated in to Irish (oh EU, you were really duped into that one), most amusing of which was the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in Irish.

Tir gan teanga...

While reading the dutch 'Metro' on train (well, I say reading...),  we noticed an ad, stating that Kodaline, an irish band, were playing a free gig in the main station. Based on Katie's high level fandom of them and the striking coincidence of it all, we went along. The mini-gig was most enjoyable and Katie got a photo with the band (naw!). Also worthy of note is the fact Ron Swanson/ Duke Silver plays drums for them.

 Ron Swanson                       Drummer from Kodaline

One of the highlights of the trip had to be the visit to La Belgique Gourmande in the centre of the city. They must have seen me coming, as they were playing Arcade Fire and Queens of the Stone Age, as well as offering free samples. I got myself some delicious truffles and they we went for another wander around the city. 

While Brussels might not have left the most wonderful impression on me, we still managed to have a nice time. Anyone we encountered or asked for directions while on our travels were friendly and helpful. Parts of the city were very beautiful and there was plenty of noms to be had! The EU Parliament and Kodaline were pleasant novelties and the chocolatier will be missed, despite our fleeting encounter. One lasting impression the place left on me was the language. I'm really up for learning Dutch since; what a lovely language! Perhaps a visit to Bruges or Ghent would be preferable in future, but Brussels wasn't all bad.