It is my constant struggle with travel (and I suppose life in general) but I need to learn to go new places with fewer expectations, whether they be positive or negative.
Although I had heard many accounts to the contrary (Andrea for one!), I wasn’t very excited to visit Ghent, Belgium. The guidebooks had more to say, certainly, but the phrase that I most remember reading about Ghent was that it was a “grittier, dirtier Bruges.” Which may be true, but in all honesty this does Ghent an injustice. I’m not sure it should be compared to Bruges at all, for they had very different vibes, even though are both canal towns in Belgium.
In addition to this phrase floating through my brain, my love for Bruges is true. I couldn’t imagine liking a city that was like Bruges, but worse. I was having a hard time opening up my heart for Ghent.
Then, I got there.
Upon first sight, it’s not impressive, and when we disembarked the train I was sure my suspicions of this being a waste of time were true (especially since Paris was our next stop). Waiting in the absolutely cold rain/snow/sleet for a tram that took a solid twenty minutes to show up didn’t help, either.
Note: Twenty minutes for public transportation is not that unreasonable. But in Prague, it is practically unheard of unless it’s three a.m.! I’m spoiled!
Neither did our hostel. It was certainly clean and comfortable enough, but not charming, or cute, and was located in an area that seemed to be just banks and other shops that were closed. If we hadn’t been hannnngry, I would have holed up in our room and not left until the next day.
Luckily, my stomach protested this plan, and off we went in search of food.
Despite the cold, and the wet, and my general attitude, I slowly began to be charmed by Ghent. We ran smack into a canal, ate at a pub that sort of looked like my dream house, and as the darkness fell, we found incredible old buildings, explored tiny alleys, found a gorgeous clock tower, and came across perfectly picturesque Christmas market, even though Christmas was a few days past.
Whenever I mention that I’m not interested in visiting somewhere, E reminds me of Ghent (or Berlin, or the countless other places I’ve had low expectations for that have absolutely surprised me).
I didn’t get the best pictures of Ghent, because in my terrible attitude I didn’t bring my camera for that walk and didn’t expect to find anything too picture-worthy. Luckily, I had my phone, so I am able to share a bit of Ghent with you!
The moral of the story is? Give every place a fighting chance–and give yourself more than one night for Ghent.
^^the train station in Ghent is also really cool!
Linking up with Travel Tuesday!
Beautifully written!
Thanks so much, Jamie! 🙂 xo
I couldn’t agree more! I am guilty of judging a place before I have ever even visited, and those places most often are the ones I end up loving the most! Travel is funny that way:)
I’m so bad at judging haha! I want to get better, but I do love the surprises I get when I judge ahead of time because I’m almost ALWAYS wrong haha 😉
Love Ghent, it was a nice surprise for me too 🙂 It’s so unheard of, it can get mistaken for not being worth the trip but it’s so gorgeous! Glad you liked it too!
Yes! And I think comparing it in guidebooks to Bruges is a mistake–although they’re similar, Ghent had such a different feel than Bruges! Plus, saying it’s “grungier” isn’t always very inciting 😉
Sometimes it’s even better to be surprised by a place (whenever I have low expectations it actually turns out to be a really awesome trip haha) 😉 But I know what you mean, I’m glad Ghent was able to charm you though!
Yes I TOTALLY agree with you! I almost prefer to have terrible expectations because them I’m happily surprised 😉
Beautiful! I’m a judger too… I let things color my opinion before I arrive and it can great affect how I see a place. Glad you went on that walk and changed your mind!
Yes, I really want to get out of that habit! When it’s places you’ve heard of, though, it can be really hard. Or, in the days of the internet when you can look up pictures and info on any place in the world!
Glad you liked it. I loved Ghent, but I guess it depends on when you go. I found Bruges to be lovely but too small for my taste, and when I was in Ghent it was the middle of the summer music festivals, so there were college students and musicians and parties in the street, which contributed to the lively atmosphere. I do agree though; the train station is kind of in the middle of nowhere and until you get to the city center, it really is an unspectacular place.
Ghent was really quiet when I was there, but Bruges was PACKED haha. It really must depend on the time of year! I still loved both!
Great post! It’s so true that we have so many ideas about a place based on loads of different things. Sounds like you were pleasantly surprised! 🙂
Yes, I was 🙂 I love it when that happens!!
Ooooh good post! Normally when we travel, I think we have the opposite problem of having too high expectations for a place – but being pleasantly surprised is definitely way better! I do love Bruges too but I haven’t been to Ghent – you have inspired me to compare them one day soon 🙂
Yes I SO prefer to be pleasantly surprised, haha, than let down…which can happen to me a lot, unfortunately!
I think the problem with Ghent is when you arrive, you are on the outskirts of the city, the train station is quite a walk (or tram ride) from the centre, but for me, once you get to the centre, it’s a great place. Better than Bruges haha! I had a 3 day conference that was in the theatre and it was such a gorgeous building!
We also went to Ghent in the winter, I think just after Christmas, when the Christmas market was still on and it was cold, wet and snowing, but I don’t know, I thought it was great! Although, I don’t have too many photos since I went with the family and they weren’t so keen on the constant stopping! Party poopers.
Did you go on a Sunday? that would explain the long wait for the tram 🙂 Nothing runs on a Sunday here! Saturday is also like a mini Sunday too…
Yes we were there on a Saturday and a Sunday, I believe! The place was so quiet–and freezing–but I did love it. You’re right that the train station pulls up into a not-so-charming part of town which can be a quick let down. Luckily, it’s not long to get to the center! How awesome you had a conference there. I would love to go back and explore more!
I’m glad you ended up liking it. I loved Ghent! I spent a month there, so I really had the chance to explore the city. I was a little sad to leave when it was time.
Aww yes you told me I would love it! I was skeptical (mostly I think I was SO ready to get to Paris!) but I’m so happy we went. Hope all is well!! WE miss you!
I am so glad that you ended up enjoying Ghent! I loved Ghent! We did a canal ride and had some wonderful lunch the day that we were there!
Yes, you’re another person who told me I would love it! I’m so glad we went. It was WAY too cold for a boat tour but we did find an awesome pub and Christmas market 🙂
I am glad you ended up enjoying Ghent, shame you left your camera, but thank goodness for phones!
Haha I know, what was I thinking?? Luckily my phone got some decent shots 🙂
Woah Amy, what you discovered us here! Ghent looks really beautiful, even at night with phone photos, haha! 😀
Lazy Penguins
Thanks, Lily! 🙂 it really is beautiful…too bad the night photos didn’t turn out better, because the lights were so gorgeous!
Aw it looks really cute! I’m kind of the contrary – I rarely have expectations about places – there are the places I want to visit and the ones I don’t, that’s it – so I’m usually then surprisingly happy or disappointed…see even without expectations it’s hard lol
haha well that’s good to know that even if I was able to stop having expectations, I still would have places that surprised and disappointed me…so maybe I’ll stop trying so hard to STOP the expectations 😉 lol!
I love and appreciate this premise about expectations. Very true!