This morning, I woke up at about 5:30 AM and was out of the hostel by 6AM. I started walking in the general direction of St Pacras International Station, but knew I had a coupe of hours to arrive so wasn’t in an urgent hurry. After walking in a circle for 30 minutes and getting nowhere, I stopped for breakfast. After breakfast, I guided myself to the St Pacras International Station with Google Maps, which led me on the one hour, 2.6 mile walk to the destination. The walk was very enjoyable, especially because it led me through several places I wouldn’t otherwise have seen including Russell Square, as well as a park in a residential neighborhood with two tennis courts and a bunch of park benches. Also, I passed by Alain de Botton’s “school of life” storefront. That was pretty cool
The destination of the walk was St Pacras International Station, located below the historic St Pacras Hotel. The hotel was beautiful, well-maintained and I’m glad I got to see it.
After the two hour train to Brussels, I walked from the train station to Menninger Hostel. The walk led me through a poorly-maintained, Muslim/refugee-occupied area. The hostel is located at the edge of both the dilapidated Muslim area and the City Center Downtown area. I left my stuff at the hostel and made my way to Downtown for the 2PM walking tour. I aimlessly walked around for a hour, but really enjoyed two French-speaking ladies signing/dancing/performing to songs such as Yeah (Usher), What’s Love (Ashanti), Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, and more. Their level of talent was off the charts and they seemed to be having such a great time performing. These street performers simply don’t disappoint.
At 2PM, I met up with an all-aged free walking tour through the City Center area. I should’ve known beforehand, but the tour ended up being boring, dry, and could’ve/should’ve been condensed to 20% of the time it actually took. The lady did take us to many cool spots and overall it was a good use of time.
Floorplan of Galerie De La Reine
Typical street in Belgium City Center
The main building in Brussels Town Place
A building at Town Place
Some extravagant facades at Town Place
The main building at Town Place
Mall with a whole bunch of nail salons
Belgian Waffle Shop
Menu at A La Because (Hidden Bar)
St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church
Water fountain with sculpture “Don’t take directions from blind man”
Street where the river used to flow
Homeless Cathedral (interfaith banners)
Homeless Cathedral
Boy pissing statue
Lace Designs
After the tour, I was hungry and decided to go all-out with a Chicken/fries/sauce sandwhich (extremely heavy) and a white chocolate waffle (extremely heavy). Then I continued on to visit Royal Palace and the nearby park.
white chocolate Belgian waffle
Chicken Frites Sandwhich
Friteland (where the above sandwich was ordered from
Another photo of indoor shopping mall (with a bunch of chocolate stores)
Gardens looking up toward Royal Palace
Fountain near Royal Palace
Water fountain in the park near Royal Palace
Water Fountain in the park near Royal Palace
Park near Royal Palace
Water fountain in a small near Royal Palace
Cathedral near Royal Palace
Old building near Royal Palace
View from near Royal Palace
River at the edge of Downtown Brussels
While at the hostel tonight, three Irish people suggested that I visit Ghent tomorrow while I’m visiting Bruge. Bruge is an ancient Medieval town, but according to them, three hours is enough time for Bruge. The remainder of the time can be spent kayaking in Ghent. This is a great idea and I’m definitely looking forward to visiting Ghent.