Ostend: A leisurely journey along the Belgian coast

In the intervals of my busy life, I set foot on the land of Ostend, Belgium, just for a wonderful date with slow time, allowing my body and mind to get a moment of rest and nourishment in this seaside town. In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight gently shines on the ancient streets, Ostend slowly wakes up from its slumber. I strolled along the seaside promenade, and the sea breeze, carrying the unique salty scent of the sea, blew on my face, gently ruffling my hair. On the distant sea level, the morning sun is struggling to break free from the shackles of the night, dyeing the sky a brilliant orange-red. The sparkling sea surface under the sunlight looks like countless diamonds jumping and sparkling, so beautiful as a dream. Walking along the beach, the fine sand slides gently between your toes, and the itchy feeling is like the sea whispering softly. The waves come rhythmically, hitting the shore, making pleasant sounds, as if playing an eternal lullaby. On the beach, some early-rising locals have already started their morning exercises, either jogging or doing simple stretching exercises, their faces filled with peace and satisfaction. In the afternoon, I walked into the old town of Ostend. The narrow streets are lined with buildings full of historical charm. The ancient church is solemn and majestic, and its mottled walls bear witness to the vicissitudes of time. The church bells echoed in the air, as if telling the story of the city's past. The small shops on the street are lined up next to each other, filled with various special handicrafts and souvenirs. I walked into one at random. The owner smiled warmly but was not in a hurry to sell me the goods. He let me appreciate and choose slowly. Here, time seems to slow down very much, and every moment is worth savoring. When you are tired of shopping, you can sit down in an open-air cafe on the street and order a cup of local coffee with a piece of exquisite waffle. The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves onto the table, creating patches of mottled light and shadows. I sat there quietly, watching the pedestrians coming and going on the street. They walked slowly, without any trace of hurry or anxiety on their faces. At this moment, I seemed to have integrated into the slow-paced life of this city, and my heart was extremely calm. In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire Ostend golden. I came to the beach, found a rock to sit down, and quietly admired the beautiful sunset. As the sun gradually set, the color of the sky changed from orange-red to purple-red, and finally merged into a deep blue. The waves still beat tirelessly against the shore, adding a lively rhythm to this tranquil picture. Ostend at night lacks the hustle and bustle of a big city, but has a sense of warmth and tranquility. The lights in the streets and alleys are dotted like stars twinkling in the night sky. I strolled on the way home, my heart filled with attachment and reluctance to leave this city. This slow-paced journey in Ostend made me feel the true beauty of life, and it will always be engraved in my memory.