Traveling solo makes for a great filter. It makes you quick to detect those that are not worth your time, and it makes you highly appreciate that one person you truly have a connection with and enjoy being around.
Let me rewind for a second. I work at a bar in New York City called The Hog Pit (37 W 26th St between Broadway and 6th ave in Manhattan. Go go go!). My boss works with a lovely woman from Belgium named Patricia. While I had only seen Patricia’s face maybe once for a few minutes, I can always recognize her voice the second she calls. She is, under all circumstances, extra friendly (clearly not a New Yorker) on the phone, taking her time to ask how I’m doing, and, the most obvious factor being that it is often the only international phone call coming in.
I never fully understood what Patricia’s and The Hog Pit’s relationship was (I just knew it was some type of marketing deal in Europe), but when I was headed to Brussels, Belgium in April 2018, Patricia’s hometown, I decided to shoot her an e-mail just to let her know I’m headed her way.
I, however, never actually sent that e-mail. I was only in Brugges for one day, followed by Brussels for one day and one night. When I was in Brugges I had yet to hear from Patricia, so I checked my e-mail to find it had never actually sent. I promptly sent it with an apology for being so last minute. Here is what I received, almost immediately, as a response:
Hi Kaitlyn
So Good you are in Bruges ! You have choice the best time to come over in last minute : the weather is beautiful !
I would love to show you Brussels ! At what time can you be in the city ?
You should take train and get out at Gare Centrale.
Can you be here in the morning ? We can spend part of the day together.
I have a commitment at 6 pm.
Have you a bed to sleep ? Otherwise you are welcome at our home !
Let me know.
Xoxo
Patricia
Now, keep in mind, this is a woman I have met maybe once for three minutes total. Her heart-warming response made me immediately excited for Brussels.
Fast-forward to the next afternoon, we met at 2PM at the main train station and my experience in Belgium was immediately transformed. Patricia showed me all around town; we took the tram around town, she showed me to the Grand-Place, taught me how to find the “good” chocolate in Belgium verses the chocolate that was imported from China (most valuable life lesson to date), and she took me on a brief bar tour to try different Belgium beers and snacks (and I even tried the infamous presse, aka head-cheese!).
One of my favorite moments was, in front of the Royal Palace of Brussels, I asked her to take a photo of me on my GoPro, and she was frustrated that people were in my shot! A woman after my own heart, I swear! We waited patiently for these people to move so I could be the star of the photo.
What was most inspiring of all, however, was Patricia’s story in how sometimes the simplest most passionate things in our lives can lead us to a better future.
Patricia told me she had always loved New York City and got in touch with a French-based New York City blogger and told him she could help recommend some great places in New York for him. They began to work together and fast forward a few years later, they now run a successful NYC-based book for French tourists in which you can find here:
^^ I mean, this is how I met Patricia! She is a wonderful inspirational woman who was beyond generous in showing me around her beautiful country and I am forever grateful for The Hog Pit for introducing me to my very own personal tour guide to Belgium.
