Belgium

Monday 19 November

Up at 5.15am and a quick taxi to the Dublin airport. We are waiting on he tarmac for 1 hour before the plane takes off to arrive in Brussels. Brussels Chaleroi Airport is about 40 minutes away from the city centre so I jumped on the local bus to take me to the train station to christen my interrail ticket. Weird feeling to just get on a train and not have to pay for a ticket, ah the joy of prepaying!

Brussels Midi Station, I left my luggage here and walked into town. Saw Manneken Pis, Grand palace, Parc De Bruxelles to the Australian Embassy to vote in the federal election (see photo, yes it is the wrong way but I don't know what rotate is in Polish!). After 3 solid hours of walking, (no rain though grey skies) I treated myself to a Belgian waffle with hot melted chocolate on it. Amazing. Caled 'jolie' by a French boy wanting a light for his cig - I told him smoking was bad for his health.

Walked back to meet my Couch Surfing host Jemiro, just after 6pm. It is the first time I have been in a left hand drive car and it feels weird! Jemiro's place is just outside the city and he rents the second level of an older ladie's gorgeous flat - she is scared of living alone. the house is 4 levels and there are paintings al in the hallway and I assume all throughout the house - the women's father was a famous Flemish painter. I feel as though I am in Europe totally.

Jemiro and I get along great, he is such a polite, friendly, nice guy and gives me a great rundown of Belgian history - much more interesting hearing it this way than from some guidebook. We go for a ride around Brussels and he points out the European Parliament, Royal Palace and the Atomium (picture, also sideways), amongst other things. The Atomium is the weirdest thing Ive come across since travelling but I guess that's one of the quirks of Brussels.

We bought some vol au vents and made tea. Jemiro sneaked off and also bought some frites (fries) which we had talked about earlier. Had a great chat all through the night before retiring on the comfy couch.

The next day we head to the local bakery for a croissant and a chocolate croissant(!) for brekky. Jemiro drops me off at Centraal Station and I take a day trip to Brugges on the train. It's a beautiful medieval (I think?) city with a small, gorgeous layout. One of its main squares has Belgium's oldest Stadhuis (city hall). In the same square there is the Basilica of Holy Blood where a few drops of Jesus' coagulated blood is kept. Make of that what you want, the basilica was closed for lunch, when I arrived, as is most of the town until 1.30pm. I go for a big walk and fall in love with the little apartments and their lace curtains.

The begijnhof is home to a 13th century religious community of unmarried/widowed women, known in Belgium as Begijen. It has gorgeous grounds and you are welcome to wander through these in silence. I almost die when I go past the giant door to the church and it opens from the other side. Try expressing shock to the person on the other side when you can't go "Jesus, you scared the bloody hell out of me!". I think I did well. The place is lovely and it's good to know if I never get married, I can always head here and hang out with all the sisters who run this place.

In the evening, Jemiro met me back at the Centraal train station and we walked through a lot more sights including the Guild Park which around its perimeters has a statue representing each of the trades represented by a union at that time (a few hundred years ago???) ie baker, blacksmith. Didn't notice a nurse up there, I must get the RCN to do something to change that!

On the way to this we came across something SO strange, one of the universities was holding a night for its students, they line the streets and drink in a convoy of trucks and semi trailers which dispense the beer. Realy weird site and apparantly alumni come back and do it every ear. There were thousands of people there, i swear. Jemiro says it is the end of 'initiation' for the new students as they lead into exam time. An absolutely giant pissup, me thinks.

While we leave the students to continue debauchery in the streets, we head to Delirium Cafe, a bar with over 2000 beers on its menu. Jemiro thinks he does the right thing and orders for me a strawberry flavoured beer because "that's what the girls like". Not me, unfortunately, it's too sweet and I've had something like this in the past and not liked it. Oh well, 1 down at least 1999 to go.

Later, Sounds Jazz Club is where we meet up with two other local Couch Surfers (photo). Clare is originally from France and George from the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. Great company, food and of course music. The band playing was really "groovy" and the club had a really nice atmosphere, full of people. We shared a giant plate of pasta and lots of red wine as well.