Last night I attended a seminar in Brussels. I could not find a parking spot nearby so I had to quite a walk. I was quite late when the seminar ended. During that time there was still a lot of activity in the city but I felt like the city was preparing itself for a quiet night. Considering the situation this was the perfect situation for the kind of thought that you also get when your are travelling by train.
Brussels is a city I am not that familiar with. I have to admit that in fact I am not that crazy about the city. But that night suddenly the feeling hit me that everything around me was ultimately placed there by another person. At the same time I was amidst all the anonymity of a big city and sourrended by a maximum of human effort. Instead of the prevailing perception of a city being technological and without a spirit I perceived the city as being organic and with a soul. It is really strange to describe the feeling I had at that moment. I certainly put a smile on my face and it was the best moment of my day. I hope to have the same experience with other cities.
Bottom line: let the town you live in surprise you.
