Goodbye Brussels… hello Seoul!

I should have written this post a long time ago but moving leaves little time to stretch the mind. I feel I should honour the city where I lived for almost 7 years with some words.

Even though at first glance Brussels can be disappointing it grows on you and once you discover its hidden secrets, it’s hard not to like it. The only thing I’m happy to leave behind is the bad customer service, with a few exceptions.

My last days in Brussels were kind of emotional. I’ve tried to go to the places I like the most. The only miss was this sneaky Japanese restaurant in St Catherine – there’s only one living person I know who has actually made it there. It’s always full and they make it clear by having a “complet” sign on the door… all the time!

Otherwise, I went:

• one last time to the opera in La Monnaie and saw Jenufa with friends, after which we had a beer in the historic brasserie Le Cirio
• one weekend to Porto to celebrate my parents’ birthdays. Thank you Ryanair for helping with last minute decisions!
• to the El Dorado room in UGC De Brouckere to watch 12 Years a Slave and to Actor’s Studio to watch La Grande Belezza.
• to eat “moules and frites” in Le Pré Salé in rue de Flandres. Best mussels in Brussels, by the way.
• to Nespresso at least twice to bag as many capsules as possible to bring to Seoul – it’s a highend product here, not to talk about the Starbucks latte at 6,5USD.
• to Inno department store to stock up with clothes – fashion in Seoul is peculiar to say the least, although I’m finally in the land of extra small sizes, oooray.

For my last lunch in Brussels we ordered Turkish pizza, delivered in the office. We accompanied it with French wine and a lively discussion about curling while listening to Gangnam style and Silvio Berlusconi, alternatively.

Cheese pide

The “apero” later that evening was in a brand new restaurant / bar called Beaucoup fish. It’s worth a try and the way they bring the bill is kind of funny, at least for a Portuguese.

Tuna can Bom Petisco (PT)

So hard to say goodbye to friends.

My last morning was a mix of different feelings but sadness was the strongest. I was taken to the airport by an extremely nice Rwandan taxi driver, but didn't leave the country without having an altercation, this time with the staff at the check-in counter. This is Belgium!