Today is my final day in Brussels. I cannot believe that this four month adventure is actually coming to an end! It has been a whirlwind trip full of challenging and amazing moments.
Last night, we went downtown to celebrate my roommate Nora's 21st birthday. We ventured to Delirium for one last time, wandered through the beautifully lit Grand Place, and danced at a local club. It was enjoyable and carefree without the stress of work and classes. I began to feel sentimental, wishing that I had taken more advantage of the beautiful city while I was here. But ultimately, I have no regrets and I am extremely grateful for all that this experience has brought me: the memories, the adventures, the new perspectives...
In honor of this being my final entry, I've compiled a list of the top 10 things that I've missed about the US and the top 10 things that I will miss about Brussels.
US Top 10
10) The PAC workout center
9) Free water at restaurants
8) Riding in a car
7) My Blackberry/texting
6) The ease of communication sans language barrier and time zone difference
5) Efficiency of banking and bureaucracy
4) American football
3) My Wardrobe
2) Starbucks/Panera/Smoothie King/Target
1) My family, friends, and pets
Brussels Top 10
10) Sunday markets
9) Daily integration of environmentally friendly options (i.e. motion-operated escalators)
8) Acceptance of dogs
7) Belgian beer
6) Fanta Zero
5) Daring fashion choices (and amaaaazing boots!)
4) Belvita chocolate cookie snacks
3) Ease of travel to other countries
2) Breathtaking view of Grand Place at night
1) My roommates
Last night, I got a taste of a classic American Sunday when I went to a local bar called “Fat Boy’s” with a few of my friends. Appropriately enough, Fat Boy’s is an all-American sports bar near the European Parliament where they screen ESPN and American football while serving up American style grub like chicken wings and nachos…yum yum! In my longing for a simple American indulgence, I asked for a Bud Light off of their bottled beer list, but I was unfortunately told that they actually didn’t have it – slightly disappointing! Something about how the shipments kept coming in expired. So I settled for Hoegaarden – when in Brussels, after all!
The crowd was surprisingly American, as well. It was very bizarre to encounter at least 25 random Americans in one place in Brussels. I never would have known there were so many in this city! The Eagles game assumed the prime position on the big screen, but it’s probably just as well considering the disappointing performance by my Ravens. As I watched McNabb and the boys dominate the field, I realized just how heartwarming it is to root for a pack of aggressive men in tight pants. It was very refreshing to realize that Americanized fun is not completely inaccessible in Brussels.
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