Some parts if this trip have been dream like and I was again reminded of the benefits of making friends online during the second day of my time in Belgium. It was 2008 when I first chatted to Sara on a chat site, but some six years later I was finally able to meet her and her amazing friend Kristin in person.
Both girls had no clue I was coming until the morning of. They were incredible and, along with Kristin's boyfriend Sebastian, we travelled all around Mechelen discovering a lot about this beautiful city. All three changed their plans for me.
Earlier in the day it didn't look like it would turn out as well as it did. I was sliiiightly hungover from a non eventful day in Brussels (stupid move, I got super lost and drowned my sorrows haha) and as such I was tired, stressed and worried when I checked out of my youth hostel as required at 7.30am.
But after a couple of hours worrying profusely, I got myself together and finally arranged to meet up with Sara, Kristin and Sebastian. The biggest obstacle of my time in Europe so far had been overcome.
Mechelen is a city steeped in history. While Brussels was always one of the most important cities in the Low Islands, Mechelen was the former capital of the Low Islands during the first half of the 16th century and so was once a hub of religious activity. The history is so deep that there are excavations near the town square where they're bringing up the remains of an old village.
The cathedral there was typically amazing but for me the most striking point of the sightseeing was the large arrangements of flowers lining the streets and squares. It's known as one of the most botanically beautiful cities in Europe, and was the first to instigate such displays that are now common throughout the continent.
There were so many quick highlights from my one-day trip to Mechelen. But the most fascinating one for me was meeting two friends I have known for six years for the first time.
I know, they're hard to come by. Genuine online friendships are pretty rare, and so they know that I treasure them both. The fact that we were able to talk so openly about spirituality, family and other poignant topics was the ultimate sign of respect from me to them because I'm not so open about that stuff with most people in New Zealand let alone on the other side of the world.
We hit up a toy museum, which was interesting to say the most, but all four of us had a fingernail painted black. No particular reason there, but I now have a permanent reminder of my amazing time in Mechelen and it will take some convincing for me to get rid of it.
In a trip already filled with so many lifelong memories, it's great to know that there is always time for substantial conversations. that to me is one of the greatest aspects of friendship and one that makes my connection with Sara and Kristin one I will forever cherish.
I then moved on to Leuven, a city of around 100,000 people that made my jaw drop. The incredible cathedrals in the town square made me stand in awe. According to Wikipedia the place was first mentioned in the 800s and towards the 11th and 14th centuries. Jaw dropping stuff.
The pictures will never do these places justice and neither will my descriptions. Photos are coming, be sure, but for now google images hold an idea of what beautiful scenes I get to witness every day here in Belgium. It's mighty expensive, but when else will you be eating in a cafe in a city over 1000 years old?
Onto Bruges tomorrow, which I'm amped about. A medieval village town with some beautiful monuments - this trip is more than living up to my hopes.
And just as awesome have been the people. From my Prague friends Libor, Lucie and Irena to Moni in Germany and now Sara, Kristin, Sebastian and Sam in Belgium - thank you all so much for helping me unleash my dreams, and long may our friendships continue.
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