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ShareI almost missed my flight to Brussels (thanks to our late edition rush) and packed amidst the chaos of zillion advices and things-you-must-do (courtesy dad). With my heart in my mouth, I zipped to the airport and the rest was a haze until I landed at the Brussels airport.
I have been to Belgium before (in 2007) ... the feeling was familiar and the 70mm celluloid called nostalgia flooded my senses. Yes, the air felt lighter devoid of the peculiar smells (read stench) that we are accustomed to and the sky was way too clear -- the poetic azure.
What followed was the chill, which the Europeans refer to as summer and clean, super broad roads; a six-lane is a no-big deal here and I couldn't help but behave like a tourist. I don't intent to use hyperbole here, but everything around seemed whitewashed, scrubbed clean and magic-like.
As much as I yearn to experience jet lag,due to my nocturnal habits I haven't experienced one till today. So I spent better part of my night in Brussels, star-gazing and counting the tips of the many churches the quaint city has. Despite being shown countless churches, cathedrals and basilicas, I still can't differentiate one from the other.
Brussels is a largely under-rated city, often maligned for being too boring. Let me tell you a well-kept secret: Brussels is a great destination, particularly if you are beer fan.
I was also taken to visit the Mini Europe for the second time (despite my protests to the contrary) and if you have no great interest in history (like me) then this IS not the place for you to be in. But the skilled artwork that has gone into making miniature replicas of the prime monuments of different cities of Europe is worth one trip.
But what is really appealing about Europe to me, what little I have seen of it, is its roadside cafés. They are not only picture perfect but also welcoming. And you would see scores of natives lazing around, with large beer glasses or sober coffee mugs.
My trip took me to Brussels, Antwerp, Bruge and Ghent. All throughout these cities there was one thing common -- cobbled streets. My perception of Europe is that of a art destination and something as simple as the cobbled streets spoke of artistry to me.
The trip defied geographical distances and packed all the cities back-to-back in a span of four days. Such a short span did not allow me to absorb any city completely and by the time I got accustomed to the nature of one, I was stepping into another golden patch of Belgium.
What I vividly remember is tripping on varieties of beer, each with their own special mug, dark and milky chocolates, food to kill for (being a veggie, I was stuck with asparagus-based dishes, that being the Belgian specialty in summers but it was to kill for).
For most part of the trip I found that I was car spotting, (thanks to the fact that I cover the automobiles sector). And I was amazed to find the best of the lot in these cities -- Aston Martin and BMW bikes, you get the picture.
If you are thinking of shopping then kindly rein in the shopaholic in you as the price tags will have you running for cover. I did what I do best -- beer buying (it costs less than water, at max €4). Needless to say, I went berserk shopping for liquor. And as the Customs allow you just two big bottles, it landed me in trouble at the Mumbai airport. But all it was worth it.
Though the whiff of home was engulfing, I wanted to go back to Belgium, as I felt that I had left a lot undiscovered. If you thought twice was good enough, I beg to differ.
First time around I only saw the tiny town of Mechelen (Infosys has its office there too) and that was all that I returned with of Belgium. This time around there were vibrant colours to the kaliedoscope, and it is be anybody's guess what the third time may bring. A 10 hours flight doesn't seem so far away (but of course the moolah holds you back.)
