On the last day of Brussels we were getting ready to leave from Brussels to Maastricht to spend the last 4 days of our trip, so we had the chance to go around the city to discover its amazing art and architecture as well as some of its history. For me one of the best things about Belgium was its chocolate that had a taste filled with spirit. I was also amazed with its beautiful streets and buildings to the extent that on every corner or every street we go, I see something different and more beautiful than the one before. Other things as well that I loved about Brussels were, first the waffles, which were simply perfect and second was the bar that had more than 2000 beer brands from around the world. For me I tried some of the best beers I have never tasted in my life, specially the fruity flavored beer (Wish we had that in Egypt). It was very different for me to be in a country like Belgium. We also enjoyed taking pictures everywhere, and enjoyed the beautiful sight seeing around the city. Being able to speak their native language, which is French, was great for me as I was able to practice one of my language that I hardly practice in my country. It was simply one of the best days of the trip.
Generally speaking, I have spent some of the best days of my life in this trip. Its timing was perfect for me on the personal level. The sad part was meeting the right people, but in the wrong place or time as it would have been very different for all of us if we lived in the same country. I guess that we would have stayed as united as we were in this amazing trip. Our group was one of the best things in the trip. For me, I find that the trip was very successful as we had a strong integration between different cultures. I was very happy to meet such great people as each one was unique in his own way. Finally, I really wish that all of us would be able to meet up again, which might be possible in the near future, hoping that CST-Egypt and CST-Palestine would come to light.
Imagine that your train has delayed and it had to stop somewhere in the middle of the way! Let's say that the outside is freezing and you have no idea where you are. When you look around in the darkness, you see the group of young people who have all different faces- lookings and are singing a song where none of the words are similar to European languages. Which questions may come to your mind? Let's get closer to those people...
"We were in our 10th day during trip so we have spent all the time together for 10 days with sharing our past experiences, discussing about global challenges, trying to understand each other. I know the sound is nice even it may have many difficulties in it. Until this day we all stayed together with the whole group in Cologne and Aachen. But at this moment we were in Brussels which referred as capital city of European Union. It's such a busy city, is not it? That was the reason why we were in Brussels... To understand how European Union works, to feel a bit closer to working life style of the Europe, to meet people who are actively involved in this life. We were so excited to learn a lot as usual, to ask questions and to tell the different stories from other (our) countries...
We started the morning meeting with half of the group, the other half stayed in a different place since groups were divided into two.
Honestly, it was the longest time when some of the people could not see each other...Therefore we had a happy and smiley morning even if we felt so tired. Then, our first visit was to the European Youth Forum which aims at increasing the participation of young people and youth organisations in society, as well as is involved in decision-making processes and work actively as a youth organization.
After presentation we had a discussion which mainly focused on how to build sustainable youth NGOs in all around the world and how to create cooperation between each other. After having so productive talking, our stomachs were ringing the bell "lunch time!”
Let's try French Fries??Let's try waffles?? Let's try special chocolates??Or let us have all of them :) That was our exact lunch!
Afternoon was the time for enjoying Brussels with our lovely tour guide in spite of rainy weather. When you are in Brussels and if somebody asks you “what is that building?” try to give the answer: “wauw, it may be a parliament building” .You may be right 50% since there are many, many parliaments in Brussels!
Time to say goodbye to Brussels…We arrived at the train station almost one hour before the time of departure despite having many people from Mediterranean countries! There was a simple explanation: our organizer was from the Netherlands. After a long waiting which was strange for most of us, we took the train and got ready to change our country.”
Welcome to our beginning point: a train which has delayed…I hope you are now a bit more familiar with us. :)
Time: 18.00 19.00
Country: Belgium Holland
City: Brussels Maastricht
Spoken Language: French-Flemish Dutch
People: serious/busy/suit/orderly Relaxed/young/jean/funny faces
Buildings: very high lower and cultural
Mean amount of a meal: 10€ 7€
City Facts for Brussels
Not to do;
• Do not choose a restaurant which is close to the center of big cities!
• Do not trust the Belgium trains!
• Do not buy chocolate from the shops ( cheaper in super market)
• Do not forget to carry all the time your coats and umbrellas for in any case
• Do not forget to go the pub that has any kind of beer in world( more than 100 kinds)
• Do not waste money for French Fries ( mothers can make even better)
• Do not forget to try free chocolates from the any kind of shops ( yes; it’s free to try)
If;
• If you need to make international callings , try small shops which has special phone box ( 30 cent per min. for most of the countries)
• If you need chocolate immediately, enter special chocolate shop and ask them " can I try your special tastes?"
• If you need to leave your luggage to somewhere, try the boxes in train station since hotel may not allow you
