Notes

Bruxelles ma belle!
It's been 2 days now since the horrifying events unfolded in Brussels. The shock and horror of Tuesday has been replaced by extreme sadness and a tinge of helplessness. Having spent a long time in Brussels, specifically the EU quarter, places like Maelbeek metro, Rue de la loi, and Schuman were part of everyday life. Places that have become so routine that seeing the current state of Maelbeek Metro stop has shattered me.
That it happened roughly 500m from where I live and at places (Maelbeek & Zaventem) I know too well, has probably affected me a whole lot more. My girlfriend has taken the very same metro line that has been affected, at that very stop, at roughly the same rush-hour time, almost everyday for the past 3 years. On Tuesday she happened to be late after trying to follow the events at Zaventem in the news online. A 'What if' scenario is frankly terrifying and horrible. Many others weren't very fortunate. I can't imagine the sense of grief and horror that they must be going through right now.

I have stayed long enough in Brussels to come to terms with it bureaucracy, administration, the mess in the center on weekends; but it's still the city that has been most welcoming, vibrant and accommodating to the thousands of other people working and living here. Reading countless articles about Belgium, being repeatedly mentioned as a failed state is frankly harsh on a country that has strived hard to uphold the liberal values and fundamental rights of it's citizens. No city is perfect and no security is 100%.
Wish we could go back to simpler times when Belgium was primarily known for Fries, Beers, Chocolates, Tomorrowland and a pissing boy being the biggest attraction of the capital. Many lives have changed forever, Brussels most definitely has changed forever!
Borrowing some lines from the famous aus-belgian singer's song.. Dear Brussels of old, now you're just somebody I used to know!