Just one week ago I was in the airplane. And I said to my self: This is it, I’m going to Brussels, to the capital of Europe. It sounds as if I’m somebody important, doesn’t it? And I am.
I’m participating to a blogging competition about this year’s European elections. That’s why I’m now going to a seminar called Think about it, in Brussels, and guess what, for free! Now you can’t say that EU didn’t’ do anything for me. Well maybe you wouldn’t say it anyway. I guess EU has done a lot of good things. For some reason, people just want to blame EU of everything.
I’m finally doing this. After all these years studying French and things about European Union. As I didn’t choose to go au pair 6 years ago to Brussels for a Finnish family, now it’s my first time here, in the capital of Europe. And hundreds of lights are glowing down there as I watch through the airplane-window. Wow! This is it.
When I walk in the airport, I just follow other people trying to find the station to get to the train. It seems I’m not the only one who doesn’t manage to buy a ticket, so we just jump in the train and hope for the best. After all, what can you do if the machine only takes credit cards but says you shouldn’t use one? I thought everything should be easy here, in the capital of Europe. Not so sure about it anymore.
In the Brussels-Zuid station I have no idea where to go even though I have a map. It’s already late, dark and I don’t feel like walking around to find the hotel. I take a taxi, the driver is Arab and I here some Arabic music from his radio. He is really pissed off as my destination is so near and he mutters something like he’s been waitin’ here for an hour for the customers, but luckily he agrees to drive me to the hotel.
I feel like I’m in North-Africa or something, and this is the capital of Europe? I’m happy to get to the hotel and I give the driver some extra coins.
As I watch from the hotel room’s window, I can say my first impression of Brussels is not the best. There’s rubbish on the streets and the houses are old and creaky. It’s a ghostly view, so I drag the curtains to cover the window. After all I’m happy, as I’m finally here!
I wonder why Brussels got to be the capital of Europe? It was actually a mere chance. Someone told me it was only chosen to be the provisional capital, so maybe one day we can move the capital, let’s say to Tampere! Why not?
I see. Nobody wants it to be that far. Sure, but from where I live Brussels is as far as Tampere is from Brussels. Just think about it!
Then I fall to sleep.
(6 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5)
Loading ...
To be continued…
Actually, after living in Brussels for 6 months I have to defend the capital a bit :). Brussels is usually considered as dull and not as “cool” as London, Paris, Berlin, maybe also Tampere :). But if you think you got a great insight into the place: you met Arab taxi driver and thought about North Africa. If you continued with your journey, you could explore “Kongo part”, Polish shops, bohemian district of St. Gilles, great atmosphere in St. Gerry’s pubs and if you were lucky also getting some sun in one of numerous parks around the city. Not to mention jazz festival and a great selection of concerts,…
And at the same time, yes, the capital of Europe could be also somewhere else…Ask new member states about it ;))))…
Thank you for this comment, and please don’t take my blog so seriously, I like to show sometimes just one side of it. But I’m sure you’ll notice I found Brussels interensting, once I have time to continue my story
Just a note about the fact that you’ve been tagged in a review on thinkaboutitsomemore.blogspot.com.
Scores can be deceptive — your tactic is a good one, and we laughed at the North Africa comparison.
For Tanja I would like to comment still one thing: at least the taxis are not as expensive in Brussels as in Finland!