When heading into a semester abroad, especially when traveling to Europe, there’s a high likelihood that you have a mental list of every city you hope to visit over the next few months. Europe has so many breath-taking cities that it seems impossible to hit them all –– and so, odds are that you’ll miss out on a bunch. Personally, I know that I’ve had to remind myself that these cities will always be there to tour later if I don’t get around to them during this abroad experience.
For this semester, a city that somehow snuck under my radar was Brussels –– and the entire country of Belgium, for that matter. Why? I couldn’t have told you a few weeks ago, and I definitely couldn’t explain why now. Before visiting, the first few things I would’ve listed off about Belgium were involving its famous delectable foods: fries, chocolate, and waffles. While this Holy Trinity of comfort food is most certainly worth the hype (seriously, I was having fries three times a day), there is (obviously) so much more to this capital city. Plus, I think my not having any serious expectations while heading into the few days there elevated my surprise about and love for the city and the entire country.
The first thing I was instantly reminded of when I landed in Brussels was how much of a melting pot the city is. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (or Flemish), French, and German. English is widely spoken and understood, and I heard people around me also speaking Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese. Its establishment as a multilingual nation pointed out to me that Brussels really was the perfect choice to be the administrative center of the European Union. Plus, the influence of other nations seems to diversify the people and fashion you see on the street.
Another aspect of Brussels that I almost immediately took note of was its architecture. The most exemplary place for some of the city’s amazing construction is La Grand-Place, where Baroque and Neo-Gothic architecture meet up to wow every civilian that walks by. It’s a picturesque center that’s a must for photos, and it’s filled with great cafés, chocolate shops, and more. I felt like I was stopping every few feet to peak into a little antique store or to ooh and aah about delectable waffles.
Long story short, unexpected trips can turn into your favorite ones. Saying “yes” to my friends who were stopping in Brussels eventually led to Belgium becoming one of my favorite countries I’ve visited thus far. It was a reminder to keep an open mind and never underestimate anywhere! I’m hoping to have more pleasant surprises like this as I continue with my travels.
