Unraveling Realities in 30 minutes

Oh, Brussels, you’re a cheeky little city with tricks up your sleeve!

My latest escapade whisked me away to Illusion Brussels. In this place, nothing is as it seems, and reality packs its bags and heads out for a vacation.

Armed with a camera, a sugar rush from a chocolate Belgian Waffle the size of my face, and a curious sense of adventure, I dove headfirst into a world that promised to leave my mind in a delightful tangle.

Now, before I could whizz past the entry like a ninja in a waffle-fueled sprint, I had to fork over a not-so-small €15 at the entrance. I like to imagine that some of that money went to the maintenance of the mind-bending magic I was about to witness — like oiling the gears of insanity or perhaps paying the rent for the fairies who run the joint.

After a suspenseful five-minute wait (which felt like an eternity, like waiting for the latest season of your favorite show), my enthusiastic guide kicked off the briefing. Her excitement was contagious — like being splashed with a friendly wave of happy madness.

As a solo visitor, I appreciated the extra touch when the staff kindly offered to snap some photos for me, knowing that some exhibits required a two-person team. It felt like I was about to embark on an adventure, assisted by a friendly guide ready to capture the moments along the way.

I was taken aback by how surprisingly compact the museum felt; it was cozy to the point of snugness. I could hardly fathom what it would be like to visit during a busier time — imagine the crowd jostling in such tight quarters!

With more than 30 people crammed inside, I could picture them potentially violating fire codes in a rush for space. However, the interactive exhibits quickly transformed my initial discomfort into sheer delight.

First up was the floating beer fountain. Picture a scene straight out of a whimsical dream — beer magically hovering mid-air! That fountain had me pondering some serious life questions: “Is beer a liquid or a liquid illusion?”

But let’s get to the showstopper — the ‘hanging around’ illusion. In the blink of an eye, I went from mere mortal to D.C. superhero! I hung from the ceiling with the elegance of a graceful swan — if that swan had just consumed three too many waffles.

When I showed my friends the photo, their first question was, “How on earth are you doing that?”

I had them utterly convinced I had sold my soul to the illusionist’s underworld. The wonders one can achieve with a powerful imagination and some creative camera tricks.

My visit didn’t last more than 30 minutes. Still, it was an imaginative 30 minutes filled with wondrous exhibits that encouraged guests to use their imaginations to the fullest.

So, dear travelers, if you ever find yourself in Brussels with an itch for a bit of quirkiness and wonder, the Museum of Illusions beckons you. Just remember — bring a sense of humor and a camera, but definitely forgo that second slice of Belgian Waffle, especially if you plan to ‘hang around.’

Until the next adventure,