Brussels is like New Jersey. And I mean that in the best possible way.
When I started investigating my trip to Brussels in January, I was faced with a large amount of negative reviews. People complained that it's ugly; it's boring; Bruges is far better, et cetera. Of course, those people probably never gave Brussels a chance and were instead just ready to pass judgment on a city that perhaps didn't have as many quaint pastel houses as Bruges. What fools.
I, however, found Brussels to be quirky and full of energy, interesting people and amazing food. And yes, that's how I see New Jersey.
Now, I will grant you that Brussels may not be the best place to go if you're middle-aged or don't have a good group to chill with (or aren't willing to make hostel friends). It's a hangout city.
When in Brussels, you walk around and indulge in frites (I recommend dousing them in garlic mayo), waffles and chocolate. Don't get chocolate in a tourist shop. Go to a supermarket and buy some Cote d'Or or Jacques. It's just as good and far cheaper.
And there are, of course, the bars. One sip of Belgian beer and you'll repent every Natty Light you or your friends ever drank at a frat party. And, while I suppose everyone does need to see The Delirium Café, where there are 2,004 varieties of beer, I recommend going to other bars as well. Ask around for local hole-in-the-wall hangouts. Also, not too far from Delirium is a place called the Mort Subite. Still a few tourists, but you'll also see a good deal of locals, and the beer there is to die for.
Brussels is just a good place to wander about. It's kind of like the girl who's a bit awkward and not built like a model (see: tons of modern office buildings due to the EU having its parliament there), so she takes the stance of "I don't care. I'm alternative. I'll dye my hair and get tons of tattoos."
There are comic strips and cartoon characters painted on the sides of buildings. Due to its history, Brussels has a bit of a comic strip obsession. The nerd in me is not complaining. You'll have to do a decent amount of walking to see them, but that's why you find a good group who doesn't mind traversing a city for the day.
Brussels holds many more oddities. For example, there's a church with a urinal drain (and barriers) built on the side so that you can take a piss on the church.
That's right - they encourage it! Something tells me we're not in the Bush-run states anymore. And speaking of urine, one of Brussels' biggest tourist attractions is a statue of a boy draining the lizard. A bit different from the Eiffel Tower or Colosseum.
Finally, there is the area around the Palace of Justice. This part is probably the most typical European sightseeing in Brussels, but definitely worth a look. The Palace of Justice, which is actually the name of the main court of Brussels, is quite possibly one of the most impressive buildings you'll see while traveling Europe. It is gargantuan, intimidating and Baroque to the extreme. If this building does not blow you away, I cannot even imagine the exciting life you're living.
Good food, huge courts, the European Union and a mild fixation on comics: What more can you ask for from a city?
Honestly, get to know Brussels. It may have a harsh exterior, but if you try, the two of you will become close rather quickly.
Devin Toohey is a junior majoring in classics. He can be reached at Devin.Toohey@tufts.edu.
