Blog Archives

Waffles and Frites

31/10/2014

Waffles and Frites, that sounds like a pretty cool name for a duo. I think I would be Waffles. The waffle below was Mel's though, mine just had a bit of chocolate sauce and strawberries. I nixed the cream due to lactose intolerance (didn't stop me from trying a bit of Mel's though). We were told to try three things by the Belgians we met in Brussels: chocolate (check, massively yummy), waffles and frites. Which, by the way, are chips. I love the story behind the chips in Belgium. Apparently during World War Two, American soldiers ate some FANTASTIC chips (which they call fries). Not knowing where they were at the time, but knowing that the person who was feeding them chips spoke French, they called the chips French Fries. The name caught on back in America. Unfortunately though the soldiers were actually in Belgium and the Belgians haven't forgotten. It was brought up a number of times during our stay in Belgium. Either way, these chips were delicious. And that special sauce? The orange-y one next to the mayo? Totally worth getting. It made the chips all the better.

This canal was right around the corner from our hotel. It had some rather interesting advertisements hanging from the cranes. These hanging chairs were advertising a furniture store just down the road. I love the way the setting sunlight hits buildings in cities. One can find so many different ways of viewing the same thing. During the day this canal seemed mediocre, but with the orange light from a fading sun hitting the buildings, it lights up in a whole different way and I see it as I should.

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White Trees

30/10/2014

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It's really difficult not to love views, especially as someone who travels a lot. This view was made even more awesome by the addition of painted trees. They were part of some sort of art exhibition I think.

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Black, Yellow and Red

25/10/2014

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I don't know much about politics and royalty in Belgian, but I do know this: they have some pretty cool buildings to their name. We saw these buildings on our walking tour. I don't recall much about them, as memory is fleeting and I probably wasn't paying too much attention anyways. I tend to get caught up in the moment and not listen to the guide. I liked them though.

There is just something about a flag atop a building that makes it seem so much more regal and important, don't you agree? I like flags, they mean so much to so many people.

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St Michel et Ste Gudulae

20/10/2014

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St Michel et Ste Gudulae is the main Catholic cathedral in Brussels. It took around 300 years to complete the building and as a consequence it has the most interesting mix of architectural styles. The builders just kept adding on to the existing structure, but in keeping with the style popular of the day. Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance style architecture all mingle in the one building. It is fascinating to see. The Cathedral is where Queen Mathilde and King Phillipe were married religiously in 1999. Our guide on the walking tour had lots of interesting little tidbits to say about the cathedral, as well as about the royals. I got a little bit excited about the architecture though, and missed most of the talk. (Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance, come on). Yeah, I'm a dork but I'm a dork who found her happy place among the buildings in Europe so I never complain.