07/08/2022
One way bus ticket to Brussels
At a relatively early age, I discovered that to change my mood I needed movement. I started to use trips as a tactique to get over heartbreaks. And it usually worked well for me. Traveling makes me feel alive. I am always eager to learn new things, visit new places, discover new cultures.
This time, I was home in Strasbourg, feeling pretty low, not wanting to talk to people. I was waiting for my work/salary situation to unfold. I meditated in the morning and realized that a short trip would be a good solution to get myself out there. I checked one or two bus companies' websites and decided to buy a ticket to Brussels. It was a one way ticket and I was leaving the following day.
I took the bus in the morning and just left. I didn't plan anything. I just thought that I would be guided by what I would feel being right for me at that moment. On my way, the bus got stopped and checked by the customs with a dog. They were looking for big sums of money and drugs. When the agent asked me if I had drugs with me, my reaction was 'Are you kidding me ?'. It was a super funny situation, because, of course, she wasn't kidding and she didn't know me. It felt as an insult to me though, since I have never done any drugs and am barely drinking alcohol.
Arrived at the Midi Station in Brussels, a friend of mine, that I met while I was living in Egypt, came to pick me up and showed me Brussels in such a different way : on a motorcycle. Very grateful to hims since it gave me such a different perspective of the city. I used to be a regular guest in Brussels for work some years ago, but this time felt different. Now, I felt so free, so bold, so ready to be me and to show my true self to the world and especially to myself.
Since I was on a low budget, I decided to take a bed in a hostel. OMG, never again ! I got one in the centre of Brussels, the location was great though. I had a bed in a mixed dorm of four. Which was out of my comfort zone but was kind of ok. The worst part happened during the night. In the dorm next to mine, there was a drunk guy who was complaining about his life, crying and vomiting. I was super tired, but could not really sleep. I wanted to go to Amsterdam afterwards, but decided not to, based on this experience. All the affordable places to stay there were only hostels.
Nevertheless, my stay in Brussels was super cool. I took my camera all around the city and walked it through from one end to another. I was just walking, very inspired by the atmosphere of the city, that I used to come to so often before. At one point, I saw a church in the far, and felt that it was calling me. I walked some kilometers to reach it. When I got near, I realized that it was called Saint Maria. Such an interesting coincidence.
I ended up deciding to attend a salsa/bachata party at night after such a long walk and had such a great time dancing and meeting new cool people, that I didn't regret going there.
After spending a couple of nights in Brussels, I decided to take a bus to Luxembourg. Europe is great for traveling. Everything is so near and you can find very affordable solutions.
Have you ever taken spontaneous trips ? Usually, they end up being the best ! Would you dare going somewhere unplanned ?
