Beautiful Gent. I ended there just by chance, but really enjoyed it.
why did I go to Gent? first I was thinking about going to Antwerp, but then I changed my mind. I was supposed to visit Gent during the day and then take the train and visit Antwerp and sleep there. But I met a nice guy there and he recommended me staying in Gent. It was Saturday night! The city is very nice and is 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, 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 approached to a guy and asked some directions. He looked at me and asked me where I was from. I said Peru and he started to speak in Spanish – maybe his Spanish wasn’t perfect, but was pretty good with a cute accent. He has been living in Holland since he was a little boy, but was born in Ecuador.
buildings in Graslei.
Another South American cool!
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 lovely streets. As most of the cities around here; it has sweet canals. I arrived to the Graslei – beautiful views! Then went to the Cathedral – Baafskathedraal, not only outside, but also inside. I also climbed to the Belfort and got a great view of the city. Then I visited St. Niklaasskerk church. I went inside too.
Took a look at the Stadhuis – City Hall and decided to go to the Castle: Gravensteen.
night in Gent. They have great parties, hahaha
I visited the castle and I was in my way back to the station in order to go – either 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 was gonna 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. We went there and there was availability, so… We agreed to meet around 9pm.
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.
the canals in Gent
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!
