Ok, I’ll admit it. I went for the beer.
I am a huge Belgian Beer fan and the opportunity to actually go and see the beer culture first hand was something I had wanted to do for a long time. And with the cheap fares in Europe it was economically feasible. So Gaby stayed in Malaga with her family while I flew to Brussels for 4 days of exploration of Belgium. I had never been to Belgium before and had no expectations either way of the country.
But in my 4 days of exploring Brussels, Antwerp and some small towns in the countryside I found a fascinating country with terrific food, beautiful architecture, an interesting culture and very nice people.
In Brussels I stayed with Esteban and Lisa. Esteban is from Salta, Argentina and he lives with his Belgian girlfriend Lisa in the outskirts of the city. They were both super nice and showed me around the city during the day and to the best beer cafes at night.
Belgium was freezing cold. I arrived there the day after Christmas and when I was there the high during the day was 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) and the low at night was -6 degrees Celsius (21 Fahrenheit). As I didn’t have the most appropriate clothes I pretty much wore everything that I had.
My first day in Belgium I walked around Brussels and got to know the city. My second day there was comical. I arrived at the train station in Antwerp and went to the Information office to get a map and ask for directions to a world famous beer café called the Kulminator. The lady there knew of the place showed me what street it was on and what bus to take. I followed her instructions and when I got to the street I looked for the café and all I found were scantily clad women dancing in the windows.
The woman had sent me to the Red Light District.
I finally got correct instructions and walked through Antwerp’s beautiful old town to the Kulminator. Unfortunately the beer café that I most wanted to see anywhere in the world was closed for holiday season. I couldn’t believe it. After walking around more and exploring Antwerp’s old city center I took the train back to Brussels. I had made arrangements with Esteban to meet up near his place that evening but instead got horribly lost. I found a bar and contacted Esteban with its address. I waited for him.
The bar ended up being Moroccan and they were playing live typical Arab music. An older Moroccan lady came up to me and started trying to dance with me. She was drunk and everyone in the bar was staring at us. I politely declined her offer and she proceeded to pull me on the dance floor. I declined again and she went off to argue with another of the bars patrons. It was quite an uncomfortable situation for everyone.
Belgium was a wonderful surprise for me. Clean, orderly, people were well dressed and very sophisticated, the buildings beautiful and the countryside green and forested. I think that Belgium was one of my most pleasant surprises of the trip. I hope to some day visit again.
Oh yes, and the beer. It was amazing!
I am a huge Belgian Beer fan and the opportunity to actually go and see the beer culture first hand was something I had wanted to do for a long time. And with the cheap fares in Europe it was economically feasible. So Gaby stayed in Malaga with her family while I flew to Brussels for 4 days of exploration of Belgium. I had never been to Belgium before and had no expectations either way of the country.
But in my 4 days of exploring Brussels, Antwerp and some small towns in the countryside I found a fascinating country with terrific food, beautiful architecture, an interesting culture and very nice people.
In Brussels I stayed with Esteban and Lisa. Esteban is from Salta, Argentina and he lives with his Belgian girlfriend Lisa in the outskirts of the city. They were both super nice and showed me around the city during the day and to the best beer cafes at night.
Belgium was freezing cold. I arrived there the day after Christmas and when I was there the high during the day was 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) and the low at night was -6 degrees Celsius (21 Fahrenheit). As I didn’t have the most appropriate clothes I pretty much wore everything that I had.
My first day in Belgium I walked around Brussels and got to know the city. My second day there was comical. I arrived at the train station in Antwerp and went to the Information office to get a map and ask for directions to a world famous beer café called the Kulminator. The lady there knew of the place showed me what street it was on and what bus to take. I followed her instructions and when I got to the street I looked for the café and all I found were scantily clad women dancing in the windows.
The woman had sent me to the Red Light District.
I finally got correct instructions and walked through Antwerp’s beautiful old town to the Kulminator. Unfortunately the beer café that I most wanted to see anywhere in the world was closed for holiday season. I couldn’t believe it. After walking around more and exploring Antwerp’s old city center I took the train back to Brussels. I had made arrangements with Esteban to meet up near his place that evening but instead got horribly lost. I found a bar and contacted Esteban with its address. I waited for him.
The bar ended up being Moroccan and they were playing live typical Arab music. An older Moroccan lady came up to me and started trying to dance with me. She was drunk and everyone in the bar was staring at us. I politely declined her offer and she proceeded to pull me on the dance floor. I declined again and she went off to argue with another of the bars patrons. It was quite an uncomfortable situation for everyone.
Belgium was a wonderful surprise for me. Clean, orderly, people were well dressed and very sophisticated, the buildings beautiful and the countryside green and forested. I think that Belgium was one of my most pleasant surprises of the trip. I hope to some day visit again.
Oh yes, and the beer. It was amazing!
Steve
