2-3.2.2018 - Touring the old city, getting home

I left my heavy backpack in the room and headed for the city. I took the tram to Royale, overlooking the old city. From there I walked down the streets and got to the Grand Place, a breathtakingly beautiful square surrounded by gothic buildings on all sides. Intricate carvings, golden inlays and hundreds of statues decorated the walls of these buildings. Hundreds of tourists swarming from and to every direction. I'm sure that in a few days, somewhere in eastern Asia, many people are going to wonder who is the mysterious tall person in their selfies... Not knowing where to go next, I decided to just follow the river of people flowing into one of the side streets. I found a small restaurant hidden from the masses of tourists in a quiet side road and had some great local food. I kept walking, just going by instinct. Saw some street performers, avoided a large crowd of protestors and got lost. Didn't have any better ideas so I just kept walking forward. It was an interesting experience, I got to see some of the ups and downs of the city. I finally found myself at a tram stop. After asking for some directions and a quick chat I got on the tram and went to the hotel. The next morning I grabbed my bag and headed back to the old city. I saw the famous Manneken Pis, went to a souvenir shop and ate breakfast. I had to hurry to the station to grab my suitcase before the 24 hour period ends, unless I wanted to pay extra. I went to the closest station, which was Brussels Central. There I was robbed blind... 9 euros for one ticket?!? I could get a ticket to the other side of the country for cheaper. I took the train to Brussels south, grabbed my suitcase, twenty minutes before the 24 hour mark, and took the next train in the opposite direction, since I couldn't really go anywhere else with all the luggage. Brussels Central, Brussels North and finally the airport. Now the only problem was that my flight was leaving in six hours, and the bag drop opening only two hours before. I decided to pay the 7.50€ for the airport's storage and take the train back to the city. Guess what? The ticket I had to pay nine euros for, wasn't valid anymore! It would have cost me an extra eighteen euros to go to the city and back. I decided to just stay at the airport, having just wasted the 7.50€ for the storage. I set up camp in the empty upper floor, the only place with some peace and quiet and an electrical outlet. Spent a few hours there watching videos and chatting online. Started to feel hungry so I headed to the restaurant. Got a pasta, a beer, a double espresso and a chocolate mousse to top it all off. Finally, when the time came, I picked up my luggage, dropped it off at the counter (half a kilo under the limit...phew) and went through security. After that time pretty much flew. Spent the rest of the time writing and I am finishing this just as we have landed. I am back in Finland.