Travel Throwback #4: Brussels

Friday 5 September 2014
Let me start this travel throwback by saying there is no doubt in my mind that Brussels, or Bruxelles in French, is the most confusing city to navigate in the whole of Europe. I can only assume that the Belgians designed their capital in the hopes that any foreigners who managed to invade their borders would not be able to escape.

"...but sometimes you are." - me

I took a day trip to Brussels in February 2009 and can safely estimate I spent 70% of that time lost. Between my travel companions and I, we had five maps and were still unable to find our hostel. We wandered the streets asking shopkeepers and passers by. The locals gave such different directions it seemed they didn't even understand their own city. A local guy confirmed this theory later when he said he had lived in Brussels his whole life and still got lost. 

After a taxi driver told us the hostel was too close and not worth the fare, I decided it was time for some official help. I found a police station and cried « Je suis perdue » (I am lost) to the countless policemen standing around and before explaining in French about our desperate attempts to find the hostel. Next thing I know the bags are loaded into the boot of the police car, we're in the back seat and being driven to our hostel. Why pay for a taxi when you have the police?

Grand Place in Brussels,Belgium
The most important tourist destination in Brussels - Grand Place
Grand Place in Brussels,Belgium
Grand-Place in Brussels,Belgium
Maison des Brasseurs in Grand-Place
Statue of Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine (Maison-des-Brasseurs) at Grand-Place in Brussels, Belgium
The statue on top of Maison-des-Brasseurs looks like he is giving the bird
Museum of the City of Brussels in Grand Place
Museum of the City of Brussels
Town Hall in Grand Place - Brussels, Belgium
Town Hall

Grand Place is the central square in Brussels surrounded by guildhalls and the Town Hall. The square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps the most memorable landmark in Brussels. Unless you count Manneken Pis, a small bronze sculpture dating back to 1618 that depicts a naked boy urinating into a fountain's basin.

Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium
Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium
 Street art in Brussels, Belgium
John Lennon street art in Brussels, Belgium
Bob Dylan street art in Brussels, Belgium
The answer is blowin' in the wind - Bob Dylan

A visit to Belgium wouldn't be complete without trying one of its best street foods - waffles. There are over a dozen varieties of waffles in Belgium alone!

Waffles in Brussels, Belgium
Waffles in Brussels, Belgium

Q: Have you ever gotten lost during your travels?

Be sure to read my previous travel throwbacks to Disneyland, Windsor Castle and London.

Erin x

4 comments:

  1. Takes me back to my visit to Brussels, although I felt a little bit underwhelmed when I went, now that I see these photos it reminds me of all of the things that I did like about the place.

  1. Unknown said...:

    Being honest, I was slightly overwhelmed by Brussels as well. Something about it just didn't click for me. I really want to go to Bruges though.

    Erin x

  1. Unknown said...:

    So is this when you met Luke? Im so intrigued..... <3

  1. Tina said...:

    Brussels is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Worth visiting the place.

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