B is for Belgium
Me and my friends arranged a perfect Benelux reunion in Brussels.
I tried to use Flemish on the allegedly bilingual locals and the result of my research is French:Flemish 2:2 after which I was so confused by the language mix that I just kept sprouting English on everyone.
I love Belgium, uncritically and unconditionally. I even proclaimed my love for the city of Antwerp aloud while standing on the bank of the Schelde, and only after that I noticed a slightly worried lady walking behind me.
It was great to be back and catch up on stuff with my friends. Besides chatting, drinking kriek and other beer for the 200 sorts, eating waffles, fries and delicious food we stormed some cultural and historical heritage (and flea markets).
Heritage included: Grand Place (Grote Markt) listed by Unesco (night version included)
Basilica that is supposed to be a large scale version of Sacré Coeur in Paris. For some time it was the largest church in the world. The building is rather futuristic and a bit scary-looking inside - We wanted to climb the tower to get a proper view of Brussels but the Basilica crew chased us away because the tower was closed. Next time definitely!
The house of the father figure of the Belgian Art Nouveau movement Victor Horta. You can just picture yourself walking around in the long robe with the huge hairstyle of the 19th/20th century lady there.
I had to visit the Museum of René Magritte, the famous surrealist who is a big prankster, dreamy, loving and poetic, mocking and unpredictable.
I tried to use Flemish on the allegedly bilingual locals and the result of my research is French:Flemish 2:2 after which I was so confused by the language mix that I just kept sprouting English on everyone.
I love Belgium, uncritically and unconditionally. I even proclaimed my love for the city of Antwerp aloud while standing on the bank of the Schelde, and only after that I noticed a slightly worried lady walking behind me.
It was great to be back and catch up on stuff with my friends. Besides chatting, drinking kriek and other beer for the 200 sorts, eating waffles, fries and delicious food we stormed some cultural and historical heritage (and flea markets).
Heritage included: Grand Place (Grote Markt) listed by Unesco (night version included)
Basilica that is supposed to be a large scale version of Sacré Coeur in Paris. For some time it was the largest church in the world. The building is rather futuristic and a bit scary-looking inside - We wanted to climb the tower to get a proper view of Brussels but the Basilica crew chased us away because the tower was closed. Next time definitely!
The house of the father figure of the Belgian Art Nouveau movement Victor Horta. You can just picture yourself walking around in the long robe with the huge hairstyle of the 19th/20th century lady there.
I had to visit the Museum of René Magritte, the famous surrealist who is a big prankster, dreamy, loving and poetic, mocking and unpredictable.
