WED, 20 JUL 2022 TRAIN TO BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: My only experience with the rail system in Europe thus far has been with the trains (save that hop aboard before it departs fiasco) and not with the local trains. All of those trains have been staged at the platform awaiting its passengers well before the departure time – in a couple of cases, over thirty minutes early. Retrospectively, all of those trains also have been staged because that particular station was the origin of the trains journey. Even though the trains made stops along the way for from two to five minutes, that scenario never even entered my mind for the train that pulled in at my platform over ten minutes before my scheduled departure. I got aboard, found a seat and heard the whistle signaling the doors will be closing and the train will be departing immediately. A quick glance at my watch showed it was still almost ten minutes before my scheduled departure. Well, Uncle Larry, you might have goofed up. When the conductor arrived to check my ticket, she confirmed my suspicions but said no worry. This train was going to Blankenberge, Belgium, its final destination
(it was either stop in Blankenberge or take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean), and would be on a return run after about 15 minutes. Just stay on the train, Uncle Larry, and youll get to Brussels albeit about an hour later than originally scheduled. The taxi ride was uneventful, and the driver cautioned me about pickpockets, especially at night, in this area so heavily populated by tourists – a warning I have heard before but usually offered by the tour guide.
I get to my room, which is totally adequate, but the bed looks slightly different than that to which I have grown accustom. There is a light blanket covering an actual top sheet! With only a couple of exceptions, the beds have had a duvet. From Wikipedia, A duvet, usually called or quilt in US English, and a doona in Australian English, is a type of bedding consisting of a soft flat bag filled with either down, feathers, wool, cotton, silk, or a synthetic alternative, and is typically protected with a removable cover, analogous to a pillow and pillow case. I assume (and hope) that the duvet cover is removed and laundered after each customer,
Belgian National Day Llight Show Celebration on the Belfius Bank and Insurance Building – Brussels, Belgium
but what a pain in the proverbial ass. And I thought the worst part of laundry day was getting the pillows back into the pillow cases! Regardless, there is no way to be less covered on warmer nights. Its either no cover or smother! I have learned to cover my midsection with one corner of the duvet and then progressively add covering to my thighs, abdomen, feet and chest until I find the right amount of protection from the chill of the night. Im glad to be back in the top sheet mode. Three Nights – Hotel Le Dome, Brussels, Belgium
THU, 21 JUL 2022 HOUSEKEEPING AND RELAXATION: The front that had created the rain overnight Tuesday/Wednesday kept the skies overcast and produced light drizzle from time to time. That made Thursday a good day to do some more the hotel reservations, etc. Besides, 21 JUL is the Belgian National Day (Nationale feestdag van the anniversary of the inauguration of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831. Word on the street is that almost everything will be closed on Thursday and many establishments are carrying the holiday over into Friday. I
Belgian National Day Llight Show Celebration on the Belfius Bank and Insurance Building – Brussels, Belgium
suppose so folks dont have to lie about their illnesses when they take the unsanctioned day off for a long weekend. In the evening, I stepped out onto the balcony for a breath of cool air and found a tremendous light show on display on the office building across from my hotel – Belfius Bank and Insurance. Trust me, the stills dont do the display justice.
