Brussel Chaos: Rain, Rumors, and Really Weird Potatoes
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 586429… 1031396152. doesn’t even begin to describe the last 48 hours. i landed in brussel, and it was… intense. the air felt thick, like someone had spilled a giant bowl of gravy and then forgot to wipe it up. the pressure was 1036, humidity 76 - felt like stepping into a sauna that’d been left open for a week. temp was hovering around 7.07, which, honestly, was just… there right now. hope you like that kind of thing.
first off, the rain. it wasn’t a gentle drizzle. it was a full-on, biblical downpour. like, you’d expect a flood, not a light shower. i swear, i saw a pigeon wearing a tiny raincoat. i’m not kidding. i stumbled into this little cafe, ‘Le Chat Noir,’ and the owner, a guy named Jean-Pierre, looked at me like i’d sprouted a second head. he mumbled something about ‘the rain gods’ and offered me a shot of jenever. it burned going down, but it was…necessary.
and the potatoes. oh god, the potatoes. i’m not even exaggerating. every single stall, every single market, was overflowing with these enormous, purple potatoes. like, seriously, they were the size of small children. someone told me that they’re a local delicacy, ‘pommes violettes,’ and they’re supposed to be incredibly flavorful. i tried one. it tasted… earthy. and slightly sad. i think i need a therapist.
I overheard gossip at a bar called ‘The Rusty Mug’ - it’s basically a converted stable. someone told me that the mayor’s secret obsession is collecting vintage rubber ducks. seriously. a rubber duck collection. it’s the weirdest thing i’ve ever heard. i also heard that the waffle stands near the Grand Place are only open after midnight and run entirely by retired opera singers. i’m not sure how true that is, but it sounds amazing.
Someone at The Rusty Mug said, ‘Don’t trust the guy selling the chocolate. He’s a former mime. He’ll steal your soul.’ I’m taking that with a grain of salt, obviously.
seriously though, brussel is a mess. a beautiful, chaotic, potato-filled mess. it’s the kind of place that makes you question your life choices, but also makes you want to stay a little longer. i spent the afternoon wandering around the Grand Place, dodging tourists and trying to avoid getting soaked. it’s gorgeous, obviously, all those ornate buildings and the Manneken Pis statue - a tiny little guy in a… well, you know. i checked TripAdvisor and Yelp, and the reviews are mixed. some people rave about the food, others complain about the crowds. i’m leaning towards ‘it’s both, and it’s wonderful.’
*Pro-Tip: Wear waterproof shoes. Seriously. You’ll thank me later.
Pro-Tip: Don’t be afraid to get lost. That’s where you’ll find the best hidden gems.
Pro-Tip:* Try the moules frites. It’s a must.
If you get bored, Ghent and Antwerp are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of heading there tomorrow.
I found this really cool map on Brussels Tourist Board.
And for more waffle inspiration, check out Waffle Kingdom.
And if you're into weird potato facts, this website has you covered.
okay, i need to go find another coffee. and maybe a therapist. and definitely more purple potatoes. bye.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/neza-through-my-lens-concrete-dreams-and-urban-legends
- https://votoris.com/post/spray-can-shenanigans-in-asuncins-heat-dome
- https://votoris.com/post/winnipeg-frozen-static-and-really-bad-coffee
- https://votoris.com/post/namangan-2026-through-a-lens-of-dust-and-dumplings
- https://votoris.com/post/a-weird-unfiltered-guide-to-not-offending-people-in-rdoba-or-so-i-was-told