Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Battle of the Sidewalk

As I was walking to Lidl (a budget grocery store here in Brussels, found all over Europe) today, I got the idea for my next blog post: the perils of walking in Brussels. And that will still be my next post. However, as I was walking back from Lidl (and the pet store) with a full granny cart of groceries and cat food, I came upon the real nightmare of walking in Brussels. Children.


Now, don't get me wrong, I love children, I want children, I still babysit for crying out loud, but this wasn't just a kid or two. This was a class (or combined class) of 50. All about 7 or 8 years old. On a sidewalk with a workable walking area where 2 adults can walk side by side almost comfortably. And here's me, going in the opposite direction WITH my shopping cart (full and heavy) facing the onslaught.

There were kids everywhere. Not looking where they were going. Running into me head on. Tripping over my cart. Trampling my toes. Taking over every. Fucking. Inch. Of. The. Sidewalk. And the teachers! The teachers were giving me dirty looks like, how dare I walk on this sidewalk in my neighborhood! How dare I when these kids needed it more! For shame!

Ugh, anyway, I made it home, cart and toes intact. And you can look forward to my continued ranting about walking the streets, er, sidewalks of Brussels (with pictures!) very soon.

7 comments:

  1. you are invited to follow my blog

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  2. please get photos up, and keep the riviting and insighful views of foreign life in Europe coming. What a wierd place! come back to the land of the free and bring Miguel, he'll love it like all the Hispanics. hope you are feeding him well. Post pic of your toes intact too! Big love going out to you. I think I love you:) get a blog going everyday, I would buy the book. How are the cats and Miguel? How is the job hunting going? @steve, love the blog but not as much as this.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Anon.! The cats and Miguel are well, thanks for asking! Sorry, I don't think I'm going to post a pic of my toes...

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  3. Hi Brody!

    Was researching brussels (I've just moved out here) and came across your blog! Love the posts - have had very similar experiences in the Delhaize near our apartment...children EVERYWHERE!!!

    Was very worried about moving here. With just the hubby and me, it seems like a very lonely place. But seeing how much fun you have had makes me think it's not going to be half bad!

    Keep the posts coming - I have lots to learn about Bruxelles!

    :)

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    1. Hi Shreena!

      Kids are great, but when you're tripping over strollers in a crowded Delhaize it can make you bitter! haha!

      I think Brussels is a tough place to live sometimes, it can be on the lonely side, especially at first. Just give it time and you'll adjust!

      Thanks for the comment! :)

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    2. Oh don't I know it!!! I still get super excited when I hear someone speak English in the store though and tend to just follow them around for a bit :s

      My husband is also writing a blog about Brussels - thought you might appreciate this post in particular...

      http://krish831.tumblr.com/post/20351448828/3-troisieme-post

      I am blogging too but about marriage - if it's your cup of tea, feel free to check it out
      http://shrin85.tumblr.com/

      x

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    3. Hey! Believe me, I get how hard it can be to meet people! I did (and still do) the exact same thing as you and follow English speakers! Funnily enough, that's how I met one of my best friends here!

      Your husband's blog is hilarious! I have pretty much the same complaints! I really like your blog too! Especially the doodles! Your cake blog made me giggle! I bake for a cafe sometimes and there are times my head is just not where it needs to be and I totally screw it up and have to start over! You should keep trying!

      Hope you're doing well!

      x

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