STRIKE! Bust out them ChevroLegs!

Last night, like every Sunday night, I called my boss to ask what time she wants me to come in the next morning …everyday changes depending on the time certain stories need to be covered.

Sandra: “Get here at 8:30. We’ve got a lot to cover.”
Erika: “Ok, cool. I’ll be there.”
Sandra: “Oh, there’s a strike tomorrow so look up the directions to get to work.”
(hangs up phone)
Erika: “Are you f#*%ing kidding me!?!?!”

The lovely members of the public transportation union decided to go on strike. Meaning no metro for Erika. So I started to look up directions to work. I didn’t have the slightest clue which direction work was. I don’t drive here so I rely soley on metro signs and trust where they lead me. Everyday I take the metro from Hankar (home) to Schuman (work), not knowing what part of town that’s in or how many turns it takes to get there. Since it’s underground, I never know which direction I’m going, in fact I get completely disoriented geographically when I’m in the metro and I hate it. Being oriented with my surroundings is a big petpeeve of mine. I always need to know which way is north, south, etc. So here, I’ve just had to surrender and let the metro lead me blindly and it never lets me down. Except for today! bahhh

So anyway, mapquest doesn’t quite work well in Brussels, so thank God for google maps! I thought about taking a taxi but I decided to use my chevrolegs. I figured if I was ever going to orient myself (aka walk to work) it was going to be now. I don’t see myself saying “hey let me walk to work today” on a day the metro’s operating perfectly fine -Chill.

I began my journey at 7:55 a.m. with a list of directions and drawings I made for myself in hand. I didn’t know how long exactly it’d actually take me but I figured I had a decent excuse if I was late. The walk wasn’t bad although I hated it for a while during the up-hill climb. But I wasn't alone which was nice. There were sooo many pedestrians on the streets since everyone was walking to work. At first I thought ‘wtf don’t all these people have cars?’ But soon I understood their decision when I noticed we were moving quicker than traffic.

The best part was finding a Panos on the way!!! It’s may favorite bakery ever!!! I made an irresistible stop and ordered their delicious nutella-filled, hazelnut-covered croissant to go. I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the long walk. I was at work before I knew it and it was really cool to see how my quiet part of town evolved into the hustle and bustle part of work. The walk took 50 minutes compared to my everyday 10 minute metro ride. I was 15 minutes late, but they understood.

At the end of the day, the sidewalks were packed once again with everyone making their way back home. After a long workday and not to mention a Monday, there was more of an annoyed feel in the atmosphere. In the morning it was like ‘hey we’re not bothered by the strike, a little walk wont hurt us, we’re all in this together.’ But in the evening everyone seemed frustrated with the strike and eager to get home including me!! The metro's back up tomorrow☺ Phew!