After completing the check-in, we made our way upstairs to security control. That procedure was stress-inducing, making me feel like I had something illegal with me even though I didn’t. Once past the control, I started talking to another participant and discovered that she was also traveling for the first time. So, neither of us knew what to expect. Following that, we met up with the rest of the participants.

It was too early to find the gate, so we passed time on the outside terrace of the airport until very soon, we had to be ready to board the plane. Not knowing what I was doing, I simply followed everyone else boarding the plane, hoping my seat would be near the window. As luck would have it, it was.

I will never forget the moment of takeoff. The noise until the plane’s wheels left the ground is still etched in my mind. As the plane rose into the sky, I looked in front of me, behind me and to the sides to check if everything was okay. The middle seat was empty, while in the other seat, a woman had been asleep since the moment she sat down. Wow, I thought to myself, how easy this flight must be for some people.

As we ascended into the sky, the view became more and more beautiful. A minute ago, I was on the ground, and now I was in the sky. Laughter overcame me. I continued to enjoy the view, and various thoughts came to my mind. When everything seemed to be in order, I remembered how tired I was and decided that a quick nap would be the solution.

In Brussels

The journey to Brussels was long, as the flight had two stops. The first stop was in Munich, Germany. Everything was different from the previous airport. Munich’s airport was much larger than Prishtina’s. To find our gate, we not only walked a lot, but also used the train and bus.

Everywhere I looked I saw people running with suitcases, who gave the impression that their flight was a matter of life or death. There was noise everywhere, and by the time we reached the gate, we were exhausted — not to mention that only half of the journey had passed. Despite everything, I remained energetic and brimmed with enthusiasm.

Arriving in Brussels late in the evening, we hopped on a taxi to the hotel. Once settled into our rooms, hungry, the other participants and I decided to go out for pizza. While the day started with stress and ambiguity, it ended with lots of laughter.

The next day saw us heading to the European Parliament. As soon as we arrived, a different energy filled the air. The Parliament was a vast space, and everywhere I looked I saw people, most of them in formal suits. In some areas, it felt like I was on a television set, as cameras were everywhere and people were being interviewed.

Brussels, with its five minutes of rain and 10 minutes of sunshine, was not ideal for someone who, like me, always craves summer. Although the weather wasn’t in my favor most of the time, I still found it easy to take the opportunity to explore the city. The old part of the city was astonishing. Brussels was known for its chocolates — every few steps, you’d find a shop selling them. They tasted fantastic and the people were very welcoming and sociable.

All these elements, with travelling and experiencing another city, have made this trip unforgettable, etching it as a wonderful experience in my memory. Now, every time I think of Brussels, I feel nostalgic for it and the time I spent there. Additionally, that experience taught me something new — how many new things I can do, how many new people I can meet, and how many new memories I can create.

Feature Image: Atdhe Mulla / K2.0

From fear to the magic of Brussels

A journey that began with stress and ended with beautiful memories.

Erlida Mulaku

From fear to the magic of Brussels

A journey that began with stress and ended with beautiful memories.

Erlida Mulaku