Leaving the enchantment of Paris was difficult, but I had a train to Brussels to catch! Upon arriving, I took a brief cab ride to my hotel in the city center. Though I was initially saddened by my departure from Paris, I soon ventured out, took a walk, and grabbed a beer to settle in.

Brussels struck me as quite Americanized, with its tall, shiny buildings and evident commercial vibe. While I can’t say I was thrilled with the city’s atmosphere, the frites, Belgian beer, and chocolate certainly lived up to their reputations!

My four days in Brussels were spent rather leisurely. On my first full day, I traveled to Ghent to model for a photographer in an old electricity factory, which was bathed in wonderfully moody natural light—truly a fantastic experience. I spent the rest of my time taking long walks, lounging in the park, enjoying more beer, and on my final day, I joined a bus tour around the city. While Brussels is undoubtedly beautiful and steeped in history, it reminded me too much of America for my liking.

Leaving Brussels for Amsterdam, I can confidently say, came without any regrets!