alive: Brussels

I’m sitting on a crowded Eurostar high speed train looking out the window as Brussels slowly vanishes into the hazy landscape. It began to drizzle as we made the walk from the hostel to the train station. Now, approaching speeds of 170 miles per hour on the train, the sky begins to clear a bit with spotty rays of sun. In an hour we’ll be under the English Channel. I reflect on the past two days in the city of Brussels.

Stark in contrast to Amsterdam in many ways. Similar to Amsterdam in many ways. Heck, it’s all Greek to me right? Brussels is fast moving, moving fast. Less bicycles. More cars. Many languages. Much history. Less debauchery. Wealth. Less personality.

Did you know that ketchup costs an extra .50 euro? Bathroom use runs at least .30 euro. Plastic bags at the grocery cost. Free wi-fi costs 5 euro an hour. Free wi-fi?

Quite honestly, I find myself more and more out of place the longer we are on this journey. This place is a world away. It's cold and uninviting. We do not belong. The culture here is dark and mysterious. Humans from all across the globe walk the streets speaking in their select tongues, praying to their own gods, consuming their niche cuisine and gathering in their ordained districts. Bo and I stick out like sore thumbs. We are American through and through…

Nevertheless we are here and taking it in. Most of our days are again spent on our feet combing the cobble streets taking in the sights and history that is Belgium. We have grown weary of the food and have been posting up in establishments like MacDonalds, Pizza Hut and Burger King.

All the while our time is spent in good fun, laughing and playing in the Belgian streets with smiles on our faces. Saying hello to strangers. Giving change to the poor. Tipping servers as is customary in the States but not here.

The monuments of history are out of this world. Civilization is old. Humanity is ancient. We get to see the proof in these European cities. It’s a wonder that my eyes enjoy and relish.

Still taking a few photos here and there. Sometimes I'll well up with inspiration, and at other times I could care less. It's an odd opposition within me a times, but it seems to work. Enjoy - or as everyone says over here - Cheers!

Belgian waffles from a street vendor are ridiculously good, and addicting