🇧🇪 BELGIUM (Brussels)

A Brief Pause Before the Final Chapter

Brussels, Belgium was the eighth and second-to-last country on our itinerary. Arriving there, a wave of nostalgia and travel separation anxiety slowly started to set in—that familiar, heavy feeling I always get whenever a memorable trip is drawing to a close. Our first stop in the city was the Atomium. When we paused to pose for a picture with the giant structure in the background, I made sure to proudly show off my newly bought Tissot watch. At the time, I didn't fully grasp the historical significance of the site. It was only years later, after becoming a big World Expo enthusiast following the Dubai Expo 2020, that I realized the Atomium was the centerpiece of Expo 58—the famous 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. Had I known that back then, I definitely would have spent more time exploring the surrounding grounds and photographing other leftover pavilions from the fair.

Our next stop was the famous Manneken Pis. Before getting there, I was really curious to see why a small bronze statue of a peeing boy could generate so much hype. When we finally arrived, my mother was visibly disappointed and confused as to why huge crowds of tourists were gathered around something so simple. Standing there, I reflected on how even a quirky, humorous piece of public history could hold its own artistic charm and draw the world together. Shortly after, we had free time for lunch, which triggered another familiar family argument. My dad insisted on eating at the very first restaurant we saw out of anxiety that we wouldn't find food before departing. We settled on a tiny restaurant hidden in an alley in central Brussels. Slightly annoyed, I finished eating before everyone else and walked off alone to grab snacks I actually wanted and pick up my refrigerator magnet souvenir.

We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through the heart of the city and doing a bit of shopping. The highlight of our walk was standing in front of the Grand Palace, admiring its impressive Gothic architecture and detailed facades. Even though our stay in Brussels was brief, it left me with a clear desire to return someday—if only to properly explore the Expo 58 grounds and dig deeper into the city's rich history.

Boarding the bus to leave Belgium, those bittersweet feelings grew even stronger. Sitting in my seat, I couldn't help but reflect on how fast time had flown by. It felt like just yesterday I was panic-buying last-minute winter jackets at home and meeting my family at the airport, full of anticipation for our European tour. Now, with so many incredible experiences already behind us, we were heading toward our final destination—ready to close out an unforgettable holiday.