When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true.

Paulo Coelho, in The Alchemist

Today was not a great day. Was a bit gloomy, both the weather and the mind. Decided to go out in the evening, to buy chapatis from an Indian (Grocery) Store in Brussels (in the spirit of The Rice Resolution)

Started at 6.25 for the 6.32 train, on my bicycle. The St. Rochus Church‘s bell rang twice announcing 6.30 as I crossed it. It was 18.31 in the station’s display clock when I rushed to the platform, but the whistle was already blown and the doors shut(when you are early, are you called punctual?). Not a good miss, the next train was at 19.12 but that would be too late(or I was to impatient). Decided to go by the De Lijn bus from Halle.

A trip by this bus is generally a very pleasant one, the houses of St. Peeters Lieuw are amazing. One of the spots I am long planning to visit with my camera. But as today was gloomy for the mind, it was my w700i which gave me company, singing Evano Oruvan of Alaipayuthae and others. Initially I searched for Vizhigalin Aruginil from Azhagiya Theeye, but was too lazy to scroll through the tracks.

Reached Brussels Midi and rushed to the Metro station. I was so far from my physical body that I forgot to swipe the ticket. I realised this only when I got into the Metro. Convinced myself that there wont be anyone to check, and even if there are, I can manage by explaining.

After the Metro, I had to take a bus, From Porte de Namur to Museum. Went into a bus first, but thins thing was a cut service. (I thought this was an invention of MTC Chennai, seems they live up to their reputation – and don’t invent anything). I realised this after entering the bus. What was strange was that the swiping machines in the bus were flashing Ferme/Gesloten (Closed). I thought this was because of the special cut service. Got down and went into another bus. The ‘swipers’ were flashing Ferme/Gesloten even here. The driver told me “Gratuit/Gratis” (in Brussels sometimes even humans have to talk bilingual. And when I say Sorry I speak English, they try a third tongue, or throw a stare. I can understand their plight). Some network issue I thought.

I went to the store, got the chapatis, some pickle and got into the return bus. Gratuit, Aujourd’hui, the driver said. No network issue. Something else.

Came out of the bus and entered the Metro station to get back. There was an announcement (French, Flemish and then in English) that all bus metro, bus and tram services in Brussels are free(of cost) today.

When I do something wrong, then entire universe conspires to make that wrong universally correct.

By the way, I thought I would miss the return bus to Halle. I was late by a minute. It was late by two. Another conspiracy (to encourage my rice resolution)?