Belgium - Day 1

My latest trip is really just a long weekend break in Belgium to catch the WEC race at Spa. 

Of course things got off to a good start as my first train was delayed but that was OK as my second train was delayed too. 

At the airport my flight was also delayed, typically on 3 screens of flights, mine was the only delay. It's a 90 min delay too, now considering that the flight is only 55 mins, that's impressive. I reckon the pilot forgot something, we've all done it, you're half way across the channel and you remember that you've left the iron on, or forgot to feed the cat. 

Anyway, Tiddles has had his breakfast now and the normal rush for the plane ensued. I got on, but had no storage space as the first aid kits were taking up the overhead storage. Reassured that's normal I used the storage for the seat in front. 2 mins later, some spotty Belgium girl is going mental because someone has used her luggage space. She had a massive strop at her boyfriend about this who couldn't really give a shit. 

I was going to point out the empty storage behind her, or to the left or the empty seat next to her but decided to do the British thing and just sit there and smirk. 

The pilot made the journey in 40 mins, lazy bastard, why does it normally take 55 mins? 

Finally in Belgium I collected my hire car and then navigated my way around the most poorly signposted airport in the world. I swear getting around Vietnam was easier without a satnav using a language that has a different alphabet! 

The Corsa I'd ordered had been upgraded to an SUV which was nice. It was manual which is always fun when you're on the wrong side. 

I found my hotel easily but spent 30mins finding somewhere to park. People double park here a lot. I saw a coach double parked blocking 3 cars in, 2 hours later when I went past it was still blocking the same cars... 

It turns out that the area of Brussels that I'm staying in is Little Palestine which isn't the best. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to buy an AK from the shop next door but there's no use for one of those here. 

My room is 200 degrees and is tiny, however, they've still managed to cram a separate bathroom and toilet in there, I'll have to be careful that I don't rollover in the night and flush myself down the bog. 

I took a stroll into the centre and had a walk around for an hour or so, it's very busy today for some reason, maybe it's the first sunny day or something. I stopped for a beer as it was about that time then found somewhere to eat. Belgium is good, they have English menus everywhere and everyone speaks English, makes life much easier.

After spending far too long picking at the bones on my plate I headed back to Little Palestine. On the way back I noticed that every bar or restaurant only had men, it's like the women aren't allowed to socialise. 

I also found some more brilliant virtues about my hotel, it has a massage parlour next door, a club opposite called 'Crazy Bar' and a sex shop just over the road. It's a good job I had headed back otherwise I might have missed the chanting mob/protest that went past waving their flags and shit.

At least the hotel is good for transport, it's on the busiest junction in Brussels and has a train go past every few minutes!

Regular readers of my blog will know that when I'm away with Tim, he constantly asks if I've done the blog yet. Well you'll be happy to know that even though he's not here, I've just had an email off him to that effect!