Our journey began at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, at approximately 12:30 AM. We boarded Thai Airways flight TG934, bound for Brussels, Belgium. After settling in and enjoying an in-flight meal, each passenger diligently engaged in their own activities. Most opted for sleep, while others provided entertainment for their companions with gentle snoring. While the gesture was appreciated, it was perhaps unnecessary.

After approximately 13 hours, I arrived at Brussels Airport and顺利通过了 immigration. Upon exiting the arrival gate, I turned left and found the BASE store, which sells SIM cards.

Then walk straight ahead to the end of the road to pick up your rental car at SIXT.

Alright, we have the rental car and a full tank of gas. Let's hit the road! Our first stop is the city of Leuven. Some people pronounce it "Loo-ven," while others say "Luh-vuhn," following the Dutch pronunciation. It depends on the accent, as Belgium has a diverse population with Dutch, German, and French influences. But the important question is, how do we get to Leuven? Well, it's simple: Google Maps to the rescue!

Leuven: A Classic University Town in Belgium

Leuven, a charming and historic city in Belgium, serves as the capital of the Flemish Brabant province. Situated approximately 25 kilometers from Brussels, this compact city boasts a population of around 97,000 inhabitants.

Leuven is renowned for being home to Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewing company, and the Catholic University of Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven). The university, established over 600 years ago, holds the distinction of being the oldest and largest Catholic university in Belgium, with a student capacity of 30,000.

Due to its prominent academic institutions, Leuven has earned recognition as a global university city. The presence of numerous students is evident, with bicycles serving as their primary mode of transportation. In fact, Leuven is celebrated as a "bicycle city," prioritizing the safety and rights of cyclists. This emphasis is reflected in the city's motto, "The bicycle is always right," which underscores the importance of protecting cyclists in the event of accidents.

It took us about 30 minutes to drive to Leuven. We couldn't find a parking spot and didn't know where to park. Unlike in our home country, you can't just park anywhere on the side of the road here. You have to find a parking spot and pay for the time you park. However, we ended up getting a 22 euro fine because we didn't know any better. (We lost the first match!) We parked by the river because someone nearby told us it was okay to park there. We were wrong...

This is where we got fined, but the riverside atmosphere is quite nice.

A Stroll Through a Quaint Town

We set off from our base, embarking on a leisurely walk to admire the beauty of this small town, with the Grand Place and City Hall as our ultimate destination. As we ambled along, a sense of tranquility enveloped us. The cool, refreshing air, tinged with a hint of mist, sent shivers down our spines. Unlike the bustling metropolis, the streets were devoid of the usual hustle and bustle, perhaps due to it being a Saturday.

Our path led us past buildings constructed from red bricks, likely newly built student dormitories. We noticed that the town was surrounded by a moat, offering picturesque views of both the cityscape and the surrounding water. The water in the moat was crystal clear, a stark contrast to the murky canals back home. Imagine the typical moat you'd find in your hometown, and then envision its exact opposite – that's the image that comes to mind. The sight elicited a chorus of "Ahas!" from our group.

We continued our walk, passing a beautiful and classically European church, reminiscent of the Middle Ages. The church, with its limited foot traffic, stood opposite the Small Beguinage.

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Small Beguinage, also known as Saint-Catherine Beguageage, is more than just a street with small alleys on both sides. Founded in the 13th century and restored in the 18th century after the French Revolution ended, the Beguinage experienced a revival in the 19th century. In 1974, the site was acquired by new owners and subsequently sold off, with some parts being divided into student rooms.

Walk straight ahead to the end of the church. Turn left and you will find a beautiful archway. Walk through the archway and you will find a park-like area with a lush garden in the center, surrounded by beautiful buildings made of red bricks. These classic and beautiful buildings are actually student dormitories. How I envy the students here! They have both classic and romantic classrooms and dormitories.

Emerging from the dormitory, I stumbled upon a vibrant district teeming with shops and restaurants. It appeared to be the go-to spot for the local youth to indulge in shopping and nightlife. The streets were lined with an eclectic mix of establishments, from clothing stores and eateries to sidewalk cafes with a distinctly European flair, reminiscent of scenes from teenage movies.

And then we walked to our destination, the Grand Place and City Hall. Since it was Saturday, the square was bustling with shops similar to a walking street in Thailand. There were flower shops, bookstores, and art shops.

The Leuven Town Hall, a magnificent Gothic structure, stands as a testament to the city's rich history. Constructed between 1448 and 1469, the building's exterior and roof were completed in 1460, with the entire structure reaching completion in 1469. This architectural masterpiece occupies a prominent position in the city's Grote Markt, directly opposite the St. Peter's Church.

City Hall

St. Peter's Church (Dutch: Sint-Pieterskerk) in Leuven, Belgium

Located in the Grote Markt, the city's main square, opposite the magnificent Town Hall, the church dates back to the 15th century and measures 93 meters in length. The first church on the site, built of wood in 986, was destroyed by fire in 1196 and replaced by a Romanesque stone church. This church was also damaged during World War II. Today, it houses a collection of art, sculptures, paintings, and metalwork, open to the public.

Strolling through the city hall and St. Peter's Church, you will come across a landmark that is synonymous with this city, renowned as a city of education and a global university hub. This is the Fountain of Wisdom monument, a captivating sculpture known as Fons Sapientiae. The sculpture depicts a student standing, reading a book while holding a glass of water in his right hand, pouring it over his head. The water in the glass flows continuously without overflowing, symbolically conveying the idea that knowledge can be endlessly poured into the mind and that learning is a lifelong pursuit.

For lunch, we indulged in the region's renowned waffles. The verdict? Exquisite. The exterior boasted a delightful crispness, yielding to a soft, pillowy interior. The warm, delectable filling melted in our mouths, each bite a symphony of textures and flavors. The aroma of freshly baked pastry wafted through the air, tantalizing our senses.

Let's continue our journey to GROOT BEGIJNHOF. Pronounce it however you like, whether it's "béguinage" in French or "begijnhof" in Dutch. It's a small, communal living space for "Béguines," laywomen who lived a devout Christian life without taking formal vows like nuns. The buildings are typically constructed in a uniform architectural style and often surround a central garden or are located near a church. Today, there are no more Béguines, and the 13 remaining béguinages in Belgium were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1998.

The GROOT BEGIJNHOF currently serves as both a university and student housing. This is evident from the presence of a significant number of students in the area and the abundance of parked bicycles.

A university located in GROOT BEGIJNHOF

And this is part of the city's classic.

Roti escapes on a trip.