This is great.
I had a similar -- but not nearly as traumatic -- experience in Brussels about 15 years ago, junior year of college. I had been there for a few days with my best friend and two Australians we met on the bus from the airport, but they had all left the day before.
I had a similar -- but not nearly as traumatic -- experience in Brussels about 15 years ago, junior year of college. I had been there for a few days with my best friend and two Australians we met on the bus from the airport, but they had all left the day before.
2/ I was going to go down in Italy the next day to meet another friend before going to my host family in France.
My only roomie that last night was a Lebanese man who called himself the Angel of Brussels and said God told him I would be the next King of Ireland.
My only roomie that last night was a Lebanese man who called himself the Angel of Brussels and said God told him I would be the next King of Ireland.
3/ I went to sleep with all my bags on the bed, convinced he was either going to rob me or kill me, but when I woke up the next morning, he was gone.
With that, I essentially had the whole floor of the hostel to myself.
With that, I essentially had the whole floor of the hostel to myself.
4/ I went to the shower, down the hall, with my towel, my key card, my shower shoes, and my dopp kit. Nothing else.
After my shower, I came back to the room and swiped my card. Red light.
Swiped. Red light.
Wiped it on my towel. 🚨Red light🚨
SWIPE🚨 SWIPE🚨 SWIPE🚨
After my shower, I came back to the room and swiped my card. Red light.
Swiped. Red light.
Wiped it on my towel. 🚨Red light🚨
SWIPE🚨 SWIPE🚨 SWIPE🚨
5/ So here's where I explain that I was in the annex building of the hostel. The main office was a block away. In the middle of Brussels.
In the middle of winter.
I stood, naked but for my towel, staring at the key reader, willing it to let me in, but I knew what I had to do.
In the middle of winter.
I stood, naked but for my towel, staring at the key reader, willing it to let me in, but I knew what I had to do.
6/ I walked down four flights of stairs and stopped in front of the massive, old wooden door that led onto the street. I could feel the freezing air on my bare feet.
I took a deep breath and flung the door open, shocking a little old lady who happened to be passing by
I took a deep breath and flung the door open, shocking a little old lady who happened to be passing by
7/ I tore past her, and with my key card in one hand and my other hand gripping my towel for dear life, I ran through the streets of Brussels as fast as my shower flip flops would carry me.
8/ I burst into the lobby, where I immediately realized the entire hostel had congregated because that's where they serve the complimentary breakfast. I just waved my key card at the lady behind the desk yelling "ma clé ma clé ma clé"
9/ The lobby fell totally silent as the entire crowd watched her frantically make a new key card for the naked guy who just ran in screaming.
I am so happy, now, that smart phones were still years away at this point.
I am so happy, now, that smart phones were still years away at this point.
10/ I ran back up the street, and into my room where I got dressed, packed and left for the airport. When I arrived, I was informed that my flight....had left the day before. 🙃
This is only the first part of the story. I eventually made it to Italy, got off the train at the wrong stop, then was told to take a bus into town. Two hours later, it was midnight, and I realized I was in an entirely region. I made my way back. Couldn't find my friend...etc
