Belgium: A Groping Incident in Brussels

Belgium, March 2012

That day didn't start well. I've made a booking online a day tour from Amsterdam to Brugge, Belgium and paid €60 per person. I arrived at the meeting point not far from Amsterdam Central Station at 9am. When I handed my voucher, the operator told me that there won't be any tour to Brugge that day. Apparently the website I've booked the tour from has put some wrong information. I was trying to reach the call centre but it didn't go through. I was so bummed, I've been wanting to visit Brugge for long. The operator offered to change the tour for the next day which I declined. Because I was supposed to fly to Rome the next day. So in the end I took a day tour to Brussels and Antwerp instead. I've been to Brussels before but I thought it's better than nothing to do at all.

Antwerp

Antwerp

First destination was Antwerp, the second largest city in Belgium. It took about 2 hours from Amsterdam by bus. We were given 3 hours to explore the central Market Square and surroundings. I spent most of the time admiring the beautiful architecture of Cathedral of Our Lady. I managed to grab a quick lunch before gather with the rest of the group. We then headed to Brussels the Capital of Belgium and is the administrative heart of the European Union,  which can be reached in less than 1 hour.

beautiful tinted window inside Cathedral of Our Lady

perfect vehicle for city tour :p

there was a parade but not sure what event was it

view of the Cathedral from afar

Brussels

Atomium

Arriving in Brussels, we made a quick photo stop at the Atomium, an impressive colossus, which was inaugurated in occasion of the 1958 World Fair. Next stop was the Grand Place or Main Market Square, we were given 4 hours to do some shopping and sightseeing. The square was very crowded. A lot of people were enjoying the sunny day with their family or friends. Do you know that Belgium is very famous for lace and chocolate? We bought like tons of dark chocolate and pralines from one of many shops there.

Brussels Town Hall

Grand Place

Manneken Pis as a surgeon

We also visited the famous landmark of Brussels which is Manneken Pis. A sculpture of naked little boy who has been urinating into the fountain's basin since 1618 (that's a very long time, lol). The statue is dressed in costume several times each week. His wardrobe consists of several hundred different costumes, many of which may be viewed in a permanent exhibition inside the City Museum, located in the Grand Place.

There are a lot of souvenir shops in that area. My sister and I decided to get into one of the shop to buy some souvenirs. I was browsing around the items when the shopkeeper walked towards me to say "Hi". He was standing very close to me when I felt that his elbow brushed my breast. I stared at him and he was still talking nonsense, showing me some items I didn't interested in. He then took a T-shirt and pretended to measure whether it fits me or not. I was about to walk away when suddenly I felt he squeezed my breast. In a split seconds I didn't know how to react, I was in shock!! I stared at him while he was grinning like a mad cow. I was furious and wanted to punch him on the face but all I've done was just cursing %^#@*(*& !!
I quickly dragged my sister to get out from his shop. I really couldn't understand, I wasn't even wearing a revealing top or something flirty. I was just wearing a turtleneck sweater and jeans :(

screw you !! *beeb*

 I was very upset but I wouldn't let a pervert like him to ruin my day. And there's no better way to light up my mood other than food which is abundant in that area. I found an escargot cart opposite of the Manneken Pis. The snail is boiled in broth and butter, very delicious ! I also bought some Belgian waffle and fries which you have to try if you ever visited Belgium. My tummy was happy so I felt slightly better after that.

Biscuit heaven

escargot in broth and butter

Belgian waffles !

Have you ever experienced any kind of harassment while travelling ?