Yareah Magazine

Silvia Cuevas Mostacero

Let’s take a train from the Gare du Nord in Paris to Brussels. I have always liked travelling by train, although if you are alone (as I was) it could be pretty dangerous, in the sense that you can be easily robbed when you are having a nap.

Belgium, one of those countries in Europe whose history we do not have to study, thank goodness, because it is rather complicated. They are always messing around about Flanders and Wallonia, and, trust me, you would desire to have travelled by train if you take the car. You do not have enough time to read the signs in Dutch, French, German… by the time you do, you have passed your exit.
When you are in Belgium you should visit Bruges (or Brugge) a city out of a tale but do not go alone or you will feel really lonely. It is a place to visit with your partner, that is for sure.
So, what do we know about Brussels? Since we are part of the European Union, that it is the capital city of it. That they have great chocolate, great beer, great mussels and Hergé was born there and… Well, we probably know quite a lot although we just do not realize.
I have been twice in Brussels. First time I went alone just for tourism. Flower- filled Grand Place, Atomium, Manneken Pis , the usual thing. Behind this last statue there are several legends, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen, in Ransbeke (now Neder-over-Heembeek). The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung it in a tree, to encourage them. From there, he urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.
Second time I stayed at a typical “European three stars hotel” (except for Spain). That means not having a bathroom in your room and having to share one with the whole floor. But that time I went for a double wedding and so I had the opportunity to see the city hall inside without being a tourist.
It was the perfect place to celebrate those weddings. There were people from Spain, France, Italy, England and Germany, the best delegation of the Union. We had a great time and of course, the celebration was great too, Mariachis included, and a visit to the Casa de Galicia, that you should not miss (the best place to eat Spanish food wherever you are).
I remember an English man telling me that he would rather be playing golf in his country than being there. I told him “Of course, you would!” and then he “Oh! Do you play golf?” and I “Are you kidding me? Seems pretty boring to me” and then I just left him thinking Spaniards are different. Smoothing things over, you see.
Although there are many good things about Brussels and places to visit I have to say it is not a place I would live in. Too much rain, too much cold and people always working. It is not a place to live if you are Spanish, I guess. How could I survive in a city where you cannot spend hours in front of a cup of coffee in a bar because they will ask you to leave? And I would not like to live in a country represented by a peeing boy, anyway. So, right, Brussels is a good stop on our way to Amsterdam ;).

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This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it SILVIA CUEVAS MOSTACERO All our life is a journey; A journey through places, people and ages. A journey in which there is always a seeking: of Love, friendship, recognition, in short, Hapiness. This section is intended to be a journey too. We’ll travel from one place to another or we’ll have the experience of changing from one state of mind to another. We’ll tour round places or visit several ones. We’ll wander, go on trips of many kinds and move through myths and legends of the world or even the universe. I invite you to join us in this uncertain journey in which we’ll find (or not) our destination.