Suffocation by Politics

Waterloo, Belgium

Waterloo, Belgium

Moving from Brussels to Mons, I could physically see the shift from political to cultural environment. The architecture of Mons is reminiscent of that of Amsterdam and the Netherlands. It was a great relief to leave Brussels behind. The city offered an incomparable experience, but one that I found too political. I felt that the politics were often embedded within the mental state of the people. I found them to be haughty, arrogant, overly calculating, and judgmental. This is somewhat understandable considering the role of Brussels in Belgium and in Europe overall, but incredibly ostracizing.

Leaving Brussels behind, I witnessed a (physical) move through Belgian history as we passed Waterloo and the Atomium. In this drive alone, we passed two places of historical importance: the battle marking the defeat of Napoleon and the country's role in the World Exhibition 1958. Though we only stayed in these two places for several minutes, I enjoyed the experience a whole lot more than I enjoyed my four day experience in Brussels. I felt like we left the arrogance and prestige behind and entered into the humble, colorful history that should be the primary emphasis of Belgium.

In all, my overall impression and conclusion is that Brussels is too wrapped up in its political self-importance. The country possesses such a vibrant historical value outside of its participation in the European Union and politics, the study of which comprised most of our time. Yet, we were not really afforded a glimpse of this side of Belgium while staying in Brussels. Instead, our introduction to this new country afforded a claustrophobic experience of unfriendly locals and terrible service.

This unfortunate physical suffocation that I felt while in Brussels greatly contrasts the open battle field in Waterloo. Where the politics felt constricting, the historical and cultural elements, I find, provide a lot to think about as they create a fine jumping-off point for questions and additional contemplation. I am therefore very happy that we got to glimpse a partial view of this history during travel to Mons. I felt released from the limited, narrow state of mind that Brussels afforded me. There was so much more to see, so much more to analyze, and so much more to feel.

 

Sophia