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Published: June 29th 2017
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Geo: 50.8371, 4.36761
Its strange to think that 12 hours ago, we were waking up in Africa, on another continent. Leaving Carthage International Airport in Tunisia was relatively straight forward, but amusing all the same, for many reasons. First our cab driver overcharged us again really. If I never have to catch another cab Ill be a happy man. U
We arrived at the airport 2 hours before our flight to Belgium. The arrival sight of a massive queue to just get into departures then, wasn't the most uplifting. This was the stupidest and most pointless security check point I have ever seen. A couple of guys walked around with guns whilst everyone was herded into single file to put their bags through xray security and metal detectors just to get in the building. Bags went through with laptops, camera and more, several at a time, and the guard wasn't even watching the screen! Meanwhile, the metal detector was constantly beeping as people went through unchecked. What a waste of time!
We queued a while for boarding passes before heading to customs. This was painfully slow. At the end, the customs officer requested Nat to complete a departure card which was taken off her
when she received her visa. Then another security gate. I didn't even bother taking off my belt and emptying my pockets. As expected, a beep, a pat on the ass, and I was waved through. Heading towards the gate I was amused to find a stray cat in the terminal. Sure Tunisia is riddled with them, but how did this one clear security. Was it questioned? Oh you re a diseased cat? You re probably fine. Move on. We got to our gate 40mins before departure. Interestingly enough the screen displayed BOARDING to both Casablanca, and Brussels at the same time, despite different flight numbers and departure times. Very good! We were then advised to board at another gate which clearly said Munich. Its probably fine. We were shuttled out onto the tarmac to board a plane to somewhere. As we boarded our Tunisair flight, passengers were treated to the sight of about five guys in casual gear and furrowed brows repairing or tinkering forcefully with one of the planes propellers. Woe onto those with a fear of flying. The flight was delayed but once underway smooth, with nice dry food for a morning tea meal.
Clearing customs into Belgium went
extremely smoothly compared to Tunisia. Nat got a short quiz on her intentions and a passport stamp as a reward. As usual I got just waved through and scolded for standing with Nat in the all passports line rather than the EU line. Niets te controleren! There is nothing to check.
After Tunisia, being back in Belgium feels like home, such is the cultural difference in North Africa. We caught the train from the airport to Aalst, stopping off for the afternoon in Brussels. We only had small bags so it wasn't so difficult. We spent around 2 or 3 hours walking Brussels stopping at; the Grand Palace, Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, the Royal Theatre, Church of Notre Dame and Manneken Pis. The last is what it sounds like, a small statue of a baby peeing. Its even dressed up in random costumes. Its amusing, but extremely underwhelming. We also stopped off for a chocolate duck, and amazing waffle before reboarding the train to Aalst.
Back at Aalst we had a couple beers and another 1955 burger before catching the bus back to Bert and Neles who have been in France for a work trip over the weekend. Here
we find two cars but no people. Just a week to go in Europe. Hopefully we can still have some fun before then!
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