Finding one’s way in Brussels

By David Smith
This item appears on page 49 of the May 2015 issue.

In regard to Stephen Addison’s comments in the letter “A Guide to Brussels’ Metro” (March ’15, pg. 12), I can only agree. I’m also an experienced traveler, and in November 2014, wanting to day trip to refresh memories I had of Brussels’ main attraction, the Grand Place, I arrived by Eurostar at the Brussels-Midi/Zuid station and found signage to the Metro in the vast station to be almost nonexistent. 

On the Metro, I had to ask passengers where to get off, and on the street there was little signage to the Grand Place (which isn’t “near” a Metro) until a block away. The same held for finding a Metro to return on.

The city’s medieval streets are not in a grid, and names can change every block. Many people were helpful, including police, as I sleuthed my way around. A nerve-racking day trip!

DAVID SMITH

Portland, OR