Stop 1: Brussels, Belgium.
Pros: Cafe and restaurant culture, chocolate, diversity
Cons: Grime, slime, dirt, graffiti, worn down city, diversity
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I started my mini world tour rather unceremoniously by heading home to my parents' place in Brussels. Saying home is not entirely correct, though.
As I stepped off the plane at Zaventem airport a strange feeling of belonging overcame me. I have spent so many hours of my life in that place. I thought, maybe this is the country I really belong in. I quite quickly realised it was not so. The train that took me from Zaventem to Gare Centrale was painted with graffiti, the station was dirty and the sight of grimy Schaarbeek did not exactly lift my spirits. The feelings of safety, cleanliness and polite ignoring of others, that I have grown quite accustomed to in Finland, were replaced by a feeling of having to tighten my grip on my bags.
But there are also good things. I spent an hour writing my diary in the middle of a square, which felt so central European with its multicultural, bohemian cafes and cobble stones. It was a welcome change to the frankly rather undiverse neighbourhoods of Helsinki. Later in the evening, we had a lovely meal at a 16th century restaurant near Sablon. Absolutely delicious food and gorgeous setting. I'll take you there if you ever come to Brussels.
Diversity. There is lots of it Brussels. It means that there are many different kinds of people here. Some people are different in a good way, others, well... I love it and I hate it.
I do feel in a way that a part of me is at home here in Brussels. But then again, it is just my restless European soul that always feels like I belong to the place where I am not permanently. I'm a drifter. I hope to find peace when I retire. Until then my feet will continue to want to travel and move.
