It was a year ago I visited Brussels just a few days before the terror attacks in Brussels airport and metro station. Needless to say how horrifying and painful it is to read about such attacks and realize innocent people get killed as a result, but this one was somehow different – I was there, right near that metro station in European quarter just a few days ago! I can’t even explain that feeling when you realize you might as well have booked your flights a few days later and boom, here we go!
I understand many people would limit or even stop their travels to Europe, and many did, but that’s not what I think as an effective way to fight terrorism. Horrible things happen and will continue to happen in all over the world, but that shouldn’t stop curious minds traveling and exploring the world. Along with those bad things there’s so much beauty, kindness and affection in the world, and I’m sure the simple human kindness will surpass brutality if we all start to care about each other a little bit more.
Btw, there’s a book with a genius title I came across recently – “All I Want To Know Is Where I’m Going To Die So I’ll Never Go There” (makes perfect sense in our days 😀 ) by Peter Bevelin, who was described as “one of the wisest people on planet” by Nassim Taleb, another talented author whose “The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable” book is highly-highly recommended by me 😀
So finally about Brussels, the waffle smelling city. Though Belgium is mostly famous for its chocolates, waffles here are no less delicious. And their smell… mm~… it comes from every corner of Brussels from the little shops selling those freshly made waffles, which literally melt inside the mouth. I can feel that smell every time I think of Brussels.
The Grand-Place was described as “the most beautiful square in the world” by Victor Hugo who lived in one of the houses in the square during his exile in Brussels. And Hugo was right, that square is truly astonishing. Worth mentioning it gets covered by a giant flower carpet every year in August, and it surely makes it more beautiful.
Apart from chocolates, waffles, the most beautiful square in the world, and of course the Manneken Pis (which btw was quite disappointing due to its small size), Brussels is famous for its mussels, though that sounds a bit surprising because Brussels is quite far from the sea. Anyway, I like the phrase “mussels in Brussels” 😀 And they tasted not bad.
Another thing Brussels is praised for is its comics. There are comics all over the buildings in Brussels, and even a museum dedicated to Belgian comics. Nice characteristic of the city.
Though all of this is really cool, I have to admit Brussels is not the place I would be excited to visit again. Maybe one more time in summer season just to make proper pictures, as I ended up with grey unhappy pics this time due to the nonstop rain.
Anyway, enjoy them =)
The Royal Palace of Brussels
The king of Belgium does not live here as it’s too accessible to public, but as one of the locals noted – “The king is just a usual guy like us, at home he walks in underwear and watches Netflix” 😀
The Grand-Place
Victor Hugo’s “The most beautiful square in the world”
and the couple strolling in a rainy-rainy day
Brussels Town Hall
Situated in the most beautiful square
La Monnaie, opera house
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, a Roman Catholic church
Street art in Brussels
The famous comics on all over the buildings
John Lennon
“I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll…”
Mussels in Brussels
Oh that rain…
The yellow building
His Majesty Mr. Manneken Pis
The famous statue of the pissing boy
There are funny replicas of the statue everywhere in Brussels shops
Let’s not forget, we’re in the country of delectable Belgian Chocolates!
The Grand-Place at night
The first signs of Spring
Yeah I was always wondering why mussels are so popular in Belgium. And to be honest I am suprice I haven’t plan any trip there yet as its a country of chocolate and waffles what we all love! Your photos are beautiful! I am glad you had a wonderful time there despite the awful event!
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Thanks Ada! 😊 Definitely worth a trip just for the chocolates and waffles, you’ll love it! 😊
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MMM mussels in Brussels sounds delicious (I too like saying that now haha). I am glad to hear you were safe from the attack and cannot imagine the feeling of having been just a few days shy from a terrible event. Brussels is definitely a city we want to visit for its chocolates, waffles and now mussels 🙂
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Thanks a lot 🙂 Definitely worth a visit. Enjoy 😉
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The last time i was in Europe I almost went to Brussels, but couldn’t fit it in … the great pictures from this post really make em with i had. Loved the architecture, and the quirky comics around town.
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Thanks Bruce. Hope you’ll get a chance to visit Brussels sometime soon 🙂
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Lovely pockets of town and countrysides makes Brussels as among my travel dream destinations in Europe. Plus the rich architecture of the buildings you feature adds another layer of visual charm.
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Thanks Marky. Brussels surely has an impressive architecture and beautiful buildings
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shame on the rain but at least it didn’t stop you. You have some really great shots of the city. I fell the same about the attacks! don’t let it stop you, we need to show our support by still visiting.
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Thanks for your supportive words Kevin! 🙂
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As I sit here reading your post, it’s breakfast time and I’ve been becoming increasingly hungry with the thoughts of Belgian waffles haha. Belgium and Brussels would be a fantastic place to visit.Somewhere I’ve wanted to travel to for a very long time. That John Lennon street art is absolutely incredible.
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Thanks Adam! You’ll never get hungry in Belgium haha, there’re so many delicious chocolates, waffles, and all kinds of other food to try, definitely take a trip there if you get a chance! 🙂
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Wow! My lovely Bxl! I’ve been living there three years and explored every single corner. I didn’t realize how I missed it till now. The pics and descriptions reminded me all. And Brussels is all this and something more. Sometimes I compare to a Chinese box. And always changes: every time I visit I discover something new
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That sounds really inspiring, you made me want to revisit Brussels! 🙂 Even on my 2-day trip I noticed there’re so many hidden corners in the city. Most of the street art and comics I came across just accidentally, so I imagine how many of them I missed…
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I am with you and terrorism should not stop us from visiting places around the world – in fact we should make it a point to go to these places. I have never been to Brussels but I love your pictures of the street art – how cool is that big kitty on the bike!!
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Totally agree!
Brussels is definitely worth visiting, the street art is especially unique there.
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Bummer that it rained the whole time! But it looks like your pictures still came out beautiful. The contrast between the buildings and the sky is great.
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Thank you 🙂
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I remember hearing about the terrorist attacks. So scary and heartbreaking. It looks to be a beautiful place to visit.
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It surely is, I’d say it gets more beautiful in the summer season.
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