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We get up early and check out of hotel. Walk to Heidelberg Haupbanhof and catch first train leg, to Mannheim, where we change and catch the ICE, Inter city Express to Koln (Cologne).
We are disappointed to find out that Koln And Cologne are one and the same. If we had known, we would have left earlier to see the famous Cologne Cathedral before catching the next train leg to Brussels. Nevertheless, the ICE train is super sleek and super fast, with a top speed of 330 km per hour. It is more comfortable than International air travel. They even hand out free chocolates on board. Sorry, but our experiences in Germany have made us perceive that in so many respects, particularly in regards to infrastructure and efficiency, Australia is an over priced third world country. We change trains at Cologne and experience our first train obstacle, a full train and everyone has reservations. Only a problem for a short time as within 5 minutes we find seats and again travel comfortably and undisturbed, except for table service.
As we cross border into Belgium, I endeavour to recall basic French from High school. Instead of Ich Sprechen kyne deutsche and danke, shift to je ne parle pas le francais, merci beaucoup, je m'appelle Jean, s'il vous plait etc etc
We arrive in Brussels Nord and change for Brussels central. As we exit the station, we are totally disorientated and a little panicked. After obtaining directions from two different sources, we eventually find our accommodation, well, the address. The building appears boarded up and derelict. As our anxiety begins to spiral, a young man approaches and asks if I am Monsieur Morabito. His name is Kaiu and he leads us into a small shopping mall and a set of stairs directly opposite an S & M store with shop front dummies in bizarre leather attire and overtly engaged in acts of bondage. Oh No!!! Have I booked into a brothel? We are escorted up a lift to the third floor and our apartment. The apartment is spacious and fully self-contained, but the external corridor is really seedy-looking and I feel like I have entered a David Lynch film set.
Brussel's old district is spectacular. The buildings that border the Grand Market Square are like nothing we have ever seen. Only issue is that the cultural centre is really noisy. Why? There appears to be around 20000+ kilted Scots in Brussels for a Scotland vs Belgium Soccer World Cup qualifier tomorrow night.
Nevertheless, we walk around Brussels sightseeing all day and evening, purchase a few groceries and watch more 'Suits'. Lights out and I hear yelling down the corridor, followed by what I perceive as the sound of body bags being dragged past our door. After wedging a chair against the door and accessing a butter knife to protect Loretta from Frank (Dennis Hopper) and his associates. I gather a couple of hours sleep before I am woken at around 6am by the sound of 20000 Scots returning to their hotels following a night of revelrie, or perhaps from the S & M store downstairs.
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Narissa Wow! Life is not boring!!! I can understand the over-priced third world perception. Do you think our size and relatively small population contribute? Love to you both. Narissa