{exploring love} two hours in Brussels

One of the things I have learned with my recent travels is this: seize ever opportunity that comes your way. This isn’t a Europe lesson. This isn’t a traveling lesson. This is a life lesson.

I decided to take the train for my trip to Amsterdam. It’s quickly become my second favourite way to travel. Second only to driving myself! Scratch that, it’s equal to driving in that, while I can’t stop whenever I like to snap a quick photo, I also am not distracted by driving and can read and enjoy the journey.

On the way to London, I had a connection in Brussels that was “unfortunately” delayed which caused me to miss my connection. “What’s that? I can have two hours to explore Brussels!? Yes!” The more… let’s say, cautious… traveler would have taken this time to stay close to the station, find some free wifi, and catch up on emails. That was not what I was meant for. I immediately threw my bags into storage, hastily grabbed one camera, my phone and charger, wallet, and started walking away from the station.

My initial route found me in a less-than-desirable part of town. A bit rumpled around the edges. I chose not to flash my camera around to everyone there. Having absolutely no idea where I was in the city, my first plan was to find a map. Any map. “Do you sell maps? No? Can you tell me where I am? Oh, nowhere near the center? Oh, okay, no problem!” So, I hopped on the Metro. Again, having no clue where I would really end up. I just picked a station off the Metro map with a church. There always seems to be a church in the centre of the city.

And this is how I found myself wandering through Brussels for an hour in the middle of a crazy thunderstorm. And I was so happy! Not only do I love thunderstorms, I love getting lost. Yes, that’s right. Getting lost. Because you always come to that amazing moment when you find exactly where you are.

I’m also happy to report that I did, indeed, make it back to my train on time.

The following are from my “real” camera taken around Grand Place (a big grand square) in the middle of Brussels.

This is what happens when you let someone else take your photo. I still kind of like them though…

A few of my iPhone shots for good measure…