Thursdays in Brussels - Maddie Kowalewski

Thursdays were my favorite day at work.

My mornings usually stated at 6:45 to the sound of the 95 bus stopping below my window. I opened my window and checked the weather. Most days are grey and humid, but the ground stays dry. The worst days were when its windy and raining and the uneven pavement overflows with water. Dragging my feet out of bed, I walk to the shower brush my teeth and straighten my bangs.

My morning routine stayed the same most days, I got up at the same time, I left my building at the same time, and saw the same people waiting at the bus stop. But Thursdays were different. Thursdays were the day I treated myself. Before I caught the bus, I walked around the corner towards the grocery store. There was a little bakery across the street where I bought my weekly loaf of bread and on Thursdays, I bought myself a croissant on the way to work. I’d sit on the bench in the rain waiting for the 95 towards Grand Place.

After the 25 minute bus ride I got off one stop early to go to my favorite coffee cart. By my last week in Brussels the barista knew my order without me needing to ask. I still always tried to order in French, but it never went well.

I’d walked seven minutes down the street swipe into the office. The elevator stops at almost every floor and every time someone gets off you say “Bon Journee”. It’s probably the least favorite part of my day, but the coffee helps.

At the end of the day I’d meet my co-workers and classmates right outside Parliament at Place Luxemburg for fries and beer. It’s a typical thing to do on a nice Thusday night because most MEPs head home on the weekend.

This was a typical Thursday for me in Belgium. Its probably the one thing I miss most. At home now there aren’t many bakeries and all the coffee shops are chains. I can’t walk to work or take public transportation. I would give anything to be able to go back and spend a Thursday in Brussels.