Isn’t it Cold? Erasmus Experience in Brussels

GOING BACK FROM BRUSSELS                                                                    February 9, 2013

... The time in Brussels, Belgium moved so fast and all of a sudden, after the workshop, I found myself maximizing the remaining morning free time during the following day to see some more of the beautiful places in the city, the de facto capital of Europe, where the European Parliament or Parliamentarium is located.

... The building is so elegant and to some extent, sensitive, with its all-glass facade and modern construction. The main entrance is so wide that I can hear cars coming back and forth with dignitaries going in and out, hurrying up almost late to attend the session. At the entrance, there’s a semi-circular display showing some of the most important historical events in modern-day Europe.

... Luckily for me, there were no sessions when I visited the place. It is almost barren except for tourists sipping their cups of coffee in nearby surrounding trattorie.

... For many people, Belgium is just a small nation blessed with neutrality and its capital, Brussels, chosen as the symbolic city of the Pan-European continent. For me, it is not just the symbolism, but, the deep culture of the ancient people who lived and dwell in this historic place during the past, The Brabants, they themselves are something inspiring.

... Brussels is a not-so-clean city with lots of graffiti. A disciplined and a place that exudes power, graffiti is an expression of sentiment, resentment and dissatisfaction. Perhaps the one thing clean in Brussels is its intention and more importantly, its aspiration.

... All the flavours of an international community, black cars in diplomatic plate numbers and stickers, lively old town, but, what can be seen deep down into its villages is something that I’m looking forward to see and experience in the near future.

... I said power because even the taxi driver exuded so much confidence. He showed the way, called the shot and hardly listened when I asked something about the direction and the time I needed to reach the hostel.

... He simply told me that it was a long way to the hostel as he drove past series of streets deep into the city. I sat in surrender and prepared my wallet knowing that it will be another costly city joyride.

... He had every reason. It’s midnight, snowy cold and I still need to find the hostel. My eyes can’t seem to enjoy the twinkling neon lights anymore. It was cold and the bed is too warm to ignore. It didn’t matter to me then if the bunker was filled with unwanted bed mates, cockroaches and lice.

.. During that last day, I tried to visit Atomium, but, wasn’t as successful. I went back to city centre starving. Belgium is a maze of streets to a novice traveller like me. I enjoyed the outskirt and the modern train system. I wish the same for my country, a wishful thinking.

... It was fast. I felt like I’m running out of time, so fast that I need to go to the airport soon after eating in a standing-up position in one corner of a store where eating was not actually allowed. Because of persistence and a smiling request, the store receptionist pointed to a corner away from the eyes of discriminating customers.

... It was so fast only to find myself stranded in the airport because of a helicopter crash that hugged most newspapers headlines in the whole European continent. I observed a young mother of three with her daughter sleeping atop a luggage guarded by her two brother siblings while she was busy talking to another person at the other end of the line, most probably, her husband.

... People were crammed in every corner of the airport halls and walkways, many among us were tired and weary as we verified out flight schedules immediately after the debris were cleared and were given a go-signal. I sat curiously in one corner looking at the faces of those people once strangers to me. I can feel the frustration, the anger, the worry, the patience and the longing to go home from their inquisitive eyes and body movement, as well as, the feeling of surrender for those with cancelled flights.

... Finally, we were instructed to move into the holding area and asked to wait. I felt relieved and relaxed as I enjoyed every moment of it. It was a precious moment in life that I think will never happen again. Young students took the opportunity to open and compare their notes while talking incessantly from one corner sitting with their limbs in upright position, notebooks in front of them. Sitting in one corner, I observed a daddy playing with his two children, both kids curiously looking at what their father was doing. He was speaking Polish.

... Immediately, I felt at home in South Charleroi, when I heard his dialect. I don’t have doubt because of the intonation and its emphasis on the second syllable. It feels like travelling back home. It was my first plane travel from Poland to another country in Europe. Many intra-European air travels soon followed. I was in the middle of contemplation when the announcement to board the plane back to Warsaw filled the air. I stood up and carried my bag over my shoulder.

... I looked down to see the city lights as they faded from my view. Tired and sleepy, I fell asleep and woke up arriving in a thick Polish snow as the airplane maneuvered to land in her airport named after her famous son, Frederick Chopin, the musical genius.

... It was midnight when I arrived and found myself immediately boarding a numbered bus going to the city centre. Inside the bus were expressionless men in thick coat. I felt relaxed. By now, I’m already used to them. They are my classmates.

... In time I saw the bright light that says “Warzsawa Centralna”. I got off and immediately looked for something to eat. I found a lonely sandwich store parked in one corner facing the famous Warsaw landmark, the Palace of Science and Culture.*

... Then, I decided to satisfy my stomach in that lonely street stall selling hamburgery, kanapki and zapiekanki. I ordered two kanapka, ate one while looking at the landmark, which was once dubbed “Stalin’s Dick” by complaining Poles, brought the other one to the hostel and digested it with the help of a large bottle of Coca-Cola.

... Walking in the middle of the day and night when most people are asleep, I found it scary at first. I summoned all my strength and went to the direction of the hostel written in a small piece of paper I printed in Brussels. I don’t seem to find the place.

... Young Poles were spending the night away in noisy discotheques and cozy night clubs. They’re drunk and yes, they’re happy. I smiled while walking towards the hostel, got lost and helped by two young adults who noticed me looking for something all over the place.

... I’m not in a hurry, but, it's almost Valentine's Day and the immediate problem is where to sleep in this snowy evening. With the help of the young couple, I found one hostel in the middle of Warsaw somewhere near a street called Nowogrodzka and accepted the first price offer for a single room for 4 people. I found myself alone in the room because, maybe, it was still a non-tourist season.

... I woke up early after getting enough rest, opened my notes once again to prepare for the examination which I started long before I went to Brussels. I usually find time reading my notes in between travels, inside the bus, in the train or train station or during flights.

... In the end, I found out that, aside from Valentine's Day, it was almost winter break. The first semester of my Erasmus Mundus stay was finally over except for one more class and examination that I have to finish. Then it will be the next travel experience, something an Erasmus is not exempted from.