Gent, a lot of fun...

entrance to St. Baafskathedraal

Following Vinnie's advice I was in my way to Gent, but still couldn't forget about the idea of going to Antwerp. So I thought about visit Gent during the day and then take the train too Antwerp and overnight there. But I ended up staying in Gent. It was Saturday night! The city was very nice and alive at night too. ;)

Ok, I arrived to Gent. My idea was spending the day here, so I left my bag at the station. I loved the fact, there were lockers in almost every station!

I was thinking it might have been a small city like Brugge and I wouldn’t have needed to take a tram to go downtown, but I was wrong :P

So, I took the tram. I saw a nice guy with a lady (who I assumed was his mother) and approached to him in order to ask him for some directions. He looked at me and asked where I was from. I said Peru and he started to speak in Spanish, grea! Maybe his Spanish wasn’t perfect, but was pretty good with a cute accent.

the famous guy from the famous sentence...

They were also stopping at the Main Square. Cris - this guy - gave me his map. He has been living in Gent a couple of years ago. Maybe didn't live there anymore, but knew it very well. I was in my way to the Graslei and to check the Cathedral. He didn’t know in the city anymore, but knew it as if it was hometown. He advised me what to visit and how to do it. Where to go first, etc.  He was really helpful. I said: Thanks! And he told me that famous sentence: “all the travelers are supposed to help to each other.” So he’s the responsible of my travel-love ;)

I started walking through Gent's lovely streets.

Beautiful Gent. I ended there just by chance, but really enjoyed it.

Took a look at the Stadhuis aka City Hall and decided to go to the Castle: Gravensteen.

I visited the castle and I was in my way back to the station in order to go - either back to Oostende or to Antwerp - when I heard my name. It was Cris. He asked me if I’d stay in Gent for the night. I told him about my idea of going to Antwerp. He told me there would be a party night at the city and I’d like it. Mmm. Ok, I said: “If I’m able to find a place to stay, I will” He knew a great hostel.

night in Gent. They have great parties, hahaha

I checked in and went to the station in order to pick up my bag. I arrived to the hostel and went out for a walk in this lovely city.

I met Cris later. We went to the Graslerei. A lot of young people were there. The atmosphere was cool. Then we started our bar’s tour, hahaha. He used to live here, so he was the perfect guide. We were going from one pub to another the whole night, hahaha. We were sort of alike. I mean, he spoke to everyone and smiled the whole time, hahaha.

I let him know I’d go to Amsterdam for the end of my travel. So, he gave me his number just to be in touch, ‘cause he lives there. Yeah! I got a local friend in Gent and in Amsterdam :)

I really enjoyed visiting this fun city!