my entire life. I couldn't leave fast enough.
I lived near the train station, just bordering the area known as Anderlecht, doing a renovation there for a client. A shit hole neighborhood to begin, populated by ME nationals.
I'm relatively old, in my 50s. Still attractive, slim, but worse, blonde haired, blue eyed. I couldn't walk down the street without being aggressed, even in heavy winter shapeless clothes, boots, hats even. Nothing fashionable, literally the worst clothes I could find to put on and walk the dog.
It was like every single arab guy felt they could talk to me, saying hello, following a stream of non stop chatter as I walked by, being followed down the street as I kept my eyes cast down, covered with sunglasses, ignoring the constant comments. I absolutely wouldn't go out at night, oh hell no.
The arab men there have a recent history of being very aggressive with white women, no matter what age. There are many videos by Belgian women stating the same thing and showing the ongoing aggression. The guys think that any white woman is their potential property. I was called a slut and a whore every single day. Seriously, even with no makeup, in baggy, all covered up clothes. The cops do nothing, they stand around. Free speech you know.
What flipped my lid is this little anecdote. There were two women who I noticed were always standing on a nearby street corner. Much older women, fat, graying hair, wrinkled, no makeup. In winter, they were wearing heavy coats, boots, etc, as one does in bad weather, normal, every day clothes. Seriously dowdy grandma material type women. They were arabic.
They were (and probably are) there every single day, and into early evening. Sometimes chatting with each other, chatting with other people, but always standing there and just waiting for something. I was curious and couldn't figure it out. I just assumed they had nothing better to do.
I finally learned they were prostitutes. Yep, grandma prostitutes. It boggles the mind. Once I learned that, I started watching who they were talking and walking with, and believe me, it was gross. Old men of course, laborer, market stall types. But it was the younger men that creeped me out. Guys in their 20's, having a quick word, then dashing off around the corner with them or meeting them at their apartment I guess. Yes, young, arab men. Old ones, middle aged, suits, but mostly just lower class yucky guys of course.
I hate Brussels. Worst year of my life, clearly paying for some kharmic misdeed, lol.
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