AN EXPEDITION TO BRUSSELS
Last December, a
team of 30 children -among whom was “my highness”- were given the chance to
pass a week in Brussels, the picturesque but modern capital of Belgium, as part
of an educational project sponsored by the European Union.
On the morning of
Sunday the 7th, we were all ready at the airport of
Thessaloniki, waiting to board the plane. After the essential
procedures always followed at airports, we found ourselves ready for the first
flight of our lives. The take off proved to be a breathtaking experience,
though the rest of the flight passed off without any noticeable event. We had
lunch airborne, courtesy of Olympic Airways, and killed our time looking down
at the clouds.
When we finally
reached Brussels, a coach transferred us to our hotel where, after a short
delay, we were given our rooms. We spent the rest of the first day in Brussels
visiting the most popular square in Brussels, the well-known Grand Place
and the Greek restaurant - although in Brussels - that would accept us during
our stay there. The atmosphere was fantastic as Christmas was coming soon. The
architecture of the buildings surrounding the square -cathedrals, museums,
public services etc.- was neoclassic, and was the most impressive part of the
square, which included the huge Christmas tree in the middle of it.
During the next 7
days we went on a lot of visits, some of which were educational and
constructive and some others touristic. I must confess that visits of both
categories were entertaining. First of all we visited the European parliament
where we were addressed by two Greek members of the EEC parliament. We also
visited the European School, the Greek Permanent Agency and the 8th
General Administration. In all of these places we had the chance to meet
important people, discuss interesting things, and have our questions about
various subjects concerning the EEC and the problems of today’s society
answered.
Some of the places
we visited that impressed me most were the complicated building of the Atomium,
the Natural History Museum and the Museum of modern Art. But the most
successful visit was the expedition to Waterloo and Bruges. In the first place
we saw a very interesting museum concerned with the famous battle which
resulted in Napoleon’s first defeat, and some other monuments. The second one
was a quiet, picturesque town with beautiful parks, buildings and canals which
gave her the name ‘The Venice of the North’.
Another plus in the
expedition - in addition to the knowledge and experience I obtained- was that I
made a lot of friends. So, I was very worried when the time to end the visit to
Brussels finally came, but I was glad to come back home to my family.
Simon
Perdikis is a fourteen year old student at the Fourth Gymnasium. He recently
passed the Cambridge FCE examination with a B grade, obtaining A grades in the
interview and the listening papers, and is currently working for the Cambridge
and Michigan Proficiency Exams.