« So, Brussels - the capital of Belgium and the cultural and political center of the entire European community. To be honest, the first impression was just awful. We arrive at the airport, which is located 50 km from the city, and there are no specific signs on how to get to the city, plus... paid internet. Well, after some struggle, we find the bus that goes to the city... and of course, it costs €17 per person. Then, luck is on our side, and this bus takes us to a station that’s just a 5-minute walk to our new home. Everything seems fine there, BUT apparently, internet here is worth its weight in gold, because it is soooo slow. So, I’ll post the rest of the photos from Barcelona when I get home. Later, we stroll down the street and encounter a lot of Arab-Muslim establishments, as well as plenty of Muslims. They’re mixed with groups of 4-6 African Americans who give us strange looks. At this point, my hand instinctively grips my phone in my pocket))))) I just want to go home, to mom... »
Everything is quite expensive in Europe! Money seemed to disappear unexpectedly 😂, especially in Amsterdam, where public transport costs between $1.1 to $6! It’s definitely worth buying a travel pass for a few days. In Belgium, we managed just fine, as there were no hiccups 🤫. However, in Amsterdam, the metro efficiently got us around 🧑✈️. Museum tickets price range is about $11 to $32, but students generally enjoy discounts.
Grocery shopping will set you back about $11 to $33 for regular items 🛒. In general, bring whatever snacks you can 😊, we returned home with empty wallets, and our journey turned out not as budget-friendly as we had hoped 😅, but what matters is that we flew back feeling recharged and excited, and in 10 days, we’ll be off again to Sochi ❤️🔥✈️!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! »
Why spend years saving up for trips when you can see everything all at once in Brussels?
The local attraction, Mini-Europe Park! Here, all the sights of Europe are built to human scale. The entrance fee doesn’t seem worth the experience... and honestly, prices in Brussels are just outrageous. They think $2 for 0.5 liters of water is normal! 😒 »
And the treat that everyone loves in the Benelux countries is waffles! They're super tasty! You can choose any filling you want - chocolate, jam, caramel, powdered sugar, chocolate spread, whipped cream, and fresh fruits! They pile so much on top that even a Nutella lover like me had to scrape off some of the filling - otherwise, my teeth would stick together. The waffles here in Brussels cost €2, while in Amsterdam, they go for €4. »
The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable, always up for a chat about music and ready to help you find what you're looking for. Whether you're into rock, jazz, or classical, there's something for everyone here. Some days, you might even stumble upon special deals or discounts that make the experience even more delightful.
If you're a music lover, "Harlequin" is a spot you don't want to miss! 🥳 »