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The Unexpected Gift Of Belgium
How a small mistake led me to an unforgettable travel experience
My flight is super early — 6:15 am, to be exact. I board the plane with a plan to read a chapter of a book for my research paper, but, I fall asleep within minutes. I wake up just before landing at Brussels Charleroi Airport. After getting through immigration, I rush to find food, I’m starving. My first meal in Belgium? A delicious traditional hot dog. As I leave the airport, I’m thrilled to see a local bus service connecting Charleroi to major cities like Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges. I had expected to travel to Brussels first before catching a FlixBus to Bruges, but this will save me a lot of time.
I buy my ticket and notice the bus is leaving in just a few minutes. I think there’s enough time to grab some coffee. The ride goes smoothly, and this time, I don’t fall asleep. We make one stop before reaching Bruges — Ghent. The bus pulls into a large parking lot, and a few passengers get off. I’m not that tired, but something inside me urges me to get off too, but I ignore it, staying in my seat, knowing Bruges is only an hour away. I watch the driver finish his cigarette, throw the butt on the ground, stomp on it, and say something in French to the other passengers who are also smoking. They hurry back to their seats, and he starts the engine again…
