Nothing more comfortable than train blogging! (although we got no wi-fi here, so I’m posting it later or tomorrow)
Wednesday afternoon got on the train around 14:00, but unfortunately a minor migraine went to become a big one towards the end of the trip, that lasts something like 5 hours. It’s not that long but thinking of the small difference in the price, maybe the airplane would be a better solution.
The trip is sweet, the train goes really fast – something like 300km/h in some parts – and during the 1st part of it (Aix – Lyon) you get to see some small villages and stuff aside. Then it’s mostly fields so nothing interesting.
Arrival at Brussels around 19:30 and quickly by observing people I realize wearing a t-shirt wouldn’t be such a good idea. The moment I step foot on the Gare du Midi (Brussels Central Trains station) I felt the chill and quickly opened suitcases and wore my leather jacket. (remember: I left Aix at around 25C in a summery weather). Later people told me that the previous days it was too hot also in Brussels, so it was just a matter of luck.
A bit shocked from the number of people and trams, buses, metros that surrounded me, I walk to find the Tram I should get to go to my hotel, and quite easily find it, of course by asking a number of people. First impression: Polite people.
I find my hotel, and even with a really bad headache/migraine going directly out to find something to eat, and see the city. I am so curious. On my way to find food, I get a call from a net-buddy Greek friend living in Brussels for years, who proposes to show me around with the car for a bit. Finally we end up to a neighborhood called Plade Du Chatelain. The sky’s grayish, sun lightly visible and even with the leather jacket, I am quite cold. It’s around 20:00 and the bars are FULL OF PEOPLE who have just finished their jobs and enjoy some alcohol. I realize: THE NORTH! We have a bite, and I quickly head to the hotel. It’s 22h, I’m tired, freezing, and should get ready for my interview Thursday morning.
After a good night’s sleep, refreshed and maybe a bit stressed for the interview, I head to the office after having a small breakfast and changing to “business look”. I’m there in no time. The tram/metro system in Brussels is just amazing. You can go EVERYWHERE in no time. The interview ends around 13h, and I head back to the hotel, to change to a more “touristic” comfortable look in order to start my visit to the town. I ask some directions for the tram to a girl standing at the bus stop and after I say I’m Greek, I get a shocking reply: “Milas Ellinika?” (do you speak greek?) she goes. She had spent 1 year in Crete in an Erasmus program, born in Germany, worked in France, living in Belgium. The spirit of Brussels: Multi-national! She wishes me “enjoy you stay” and goes bye.
Off on foot to see the maximum of stuff I can. The city’s beautiful, no doubt. There I am, to the ancient city, Grande Place, walking through the “Greek” kebab places (lots!!!) and having a greek cheapish lunch to one of them, called “Thessalonikios”. Greek salad, souvlakia, and finally I was FULL! Walking a bit more and then back to the hotel. Fixing a meeting with another Greek friend who’s a trainee in the European Commission for later this afternoon. As I get back to the hotel, I realize my trip is about to end next morning and I decide to change my travel plan. After a small marathon, I find the TGV – France offices and change my ticket for Saturday giving me +1 day.
Around 19:00 we meet with Nap. in the “European Union” area, where most of the EU buildings are located, to go to “Place du Luxembourg”. That’s the area where all the foreigners working in the EU and other services of the EU gather after work to have beers. LOTS OF PEOPLE! And beers! Lots of beers!
Next day, tourism and shopping day. But first: BELGIAN WAFFLES! I ask and locate a true Belgian waffle shop and give myself a treat. Brussels has EVERY possible fashion brand you can imagine. I’m going all over and around, and meet some new people. Get into chatting with a funny guy my age, working in a fast-food place I grabbed a bite at, and he explains me a bit about the citys’ nightlife and which people go out to which place. Apparently, there is a “student-Erasmus-cool” side of the town, and there’s the “EU-suits and neckties” neighborhoods. I’m like maybe I’m coming back for the longterm so the guy’s goes next time I’ll show you around and stuff. My positive impressions for the people living in Belgium get even more positive. Cool!
Back at the hotel to change and freshen up. Meeting with two new Belgian friends for a late-lunch (or early dinner for the Europeans?) around 18:30h at another part of the town (The Stock Exchange). I get more and more familiar with the number of metro lines going in and out and about into every one of them. Easy. We eat and talk a lot about the city, and the Belgians, and the differences between cultures habits and the like. Seems it’s pretty chaotic in Belgium with different areas of languages, economy etc. It will take a while to learn all these but had a quite good introduction.
Dinner finished, and I’m off to Montgomery square where apparently there’s a big outdoors mobile party which is held In Brussels during the summertime, each weekend at one different place. And this would be the opening one. Easy stuff, metro, there in like 15’. Again, PEOPLE! But LOTS OF PEOPLE. And Beers. LOTS OF BEERS. Outdoor party with a deejay. (Why the fuck don’t we do stuff like that in Athens?) Young people, older people, businessmen and students, partying all together having beers chatting etc. I have a couple of beers and I meet some other friend who was hanging out there. I get introduced to a wonderful group of people, all working there, having a night out after a week of work. We get into chatting and drinking, and they give me some more info about the city. Later that night, we head towards an apartment for the after party. But, before that, they should make me taste another Belgian Specialty, FRITES! (fries)
We arrive at one of the most popular take-away fries place and start ordering the fries. The woman has a strange accent. I can’t understand where she’s from but I have a strange feeling. She’s hasty and talks fast. Someone from our group asks her where’s from. Yeah, you got it: Greece. LOL. We get into talking. She’s been there for forty years!! And now with grandchildren and all! Damn! Greeks. We’re fucking everywhere. I love us 
We take our original Belgian fries, made by greek hands and head for the after party. Unfortunately I can’t stay up long cause I have to get up pack my stuff and get on my train the next day. The night goes on a bit more. And my description fades away…
Saturday at 12, on the train. I get settled on my seat ready to come back, feeling really satisfied with these past three days. Out of the blue, I listen to my birth language: Greeks talking some seats away from mine. I head over, say hi, and we spend the rest of their trip talking about the city and their impressions. Two eye-doctors doing some practical training in Brussels. So polite they even invited me to stay over instead of going to the hotel next time I visit Brussels.
The trip flows nicely, even though the Greeks stop at Lille, less than an hour after Brussels. I didn’t even realize how time went by. I’m thinking how was my psychological condition when going there, and how it is now that I’m leaving. Great change of mindset. About the city, I feel reassured, or even enthusiastic! Exactly what I wanted. The size, the mix of people, everything. As we go southern and southern, the weather isn’t’ getting any better! Strange. Rain at Lyon. But as we arrive at Avignon, the Sun makes its appearance again. And Aix. Here we are! Don’t get me wrong, the fact that I liked BRU doesn’t mean I hate Aix. On the contrary. But I think Aix made it’s way. There’s nothing more to take from that city. But it still feels like home.
Bus to the center, quickly home to leave the stuff and prepare for the Swedes goodbye dinner.
