Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 25 - From Huldenberg to Terlanen

This blog continues the previous Part 24,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/09/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_25.html

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

   Even the most enjoyable lunch ends at one point so I packed my stuff and continued my way. I still had to finish the steep hill in Huldenberg but after the rest and with a full stomach it was a 'piece of cake'. The road became flat and there were many newer houses beside the road decorated with fresh flowers and bushes in their front garden. Not far away from these buildings I've noticed the sign indicating the end of the town.

   After a short walk I've discovered a big tree across a main road passing me from left to right (or the other way). I've watched some bikers passing me from the left and turning left riding down a hill. Crossing the road and noticing that the field behind it was freshly harvested I'v decided to take a short nap under the shadow of this beautiful tree. I took my sweater as a blanket and indeed slept for a few moments...After I woke up I cleaned up everything and double checked as a gesture of thanks to the owner and the tree, seemingly grown there for me...Thank you! 

Shadow spending tree

   I followed the previous bikers down the road and passed a small but very thick forest. Passing the trees the environment become very rural, only a few farm houses but some horses many cows greeting me beside the road. I felt like a free country boy roaming the streets I just missed some country music. There were big machines working in the fields, one caused some traffic jam while moving on the main road from one field to another.

   Not much later I arrived to a farm town Terlanen; it is so small that even the internet does not reveal a lot of information about it. On the left side I've discovered the dominant Catholic Sint-Michieliskerk (Saint Michelis Church), with a statue of Jesus on the cross nailed right on a wall for everyone to see.

Catholic Cross

   The general difference between a Catholic and the Reformed or Christian Church is the depiction of the cross. The Catholic emphasize a suffering Jesus on the cross with a hurting face and bleeding wounds all over his body. Especially in the Middle Ages the 'suffering' took on absurd forms in Europe. People believed that they should accept and endure the same sufferings and sacrifices as Jesus did and decided to beat and torture themselves for the forgiveness of their sins. The Catholic Church itself set good examples to follow by burning witches, encouraged everyone 'to root out and purge the Christian civilized world of heresy and crimes against God'. They sent Templar knights to kill the Muslims for the ‘forgiveness of sin’ and sold indulgences as compensation for sins ‘left by too much good deeds from Saints’.

   The Reformed Christians do not show Jesus on the cross; the cross is empty because 'He is not here; he has risen, just as He said (Matthew 28:6).' Jesus is alive, 'A new command I give you: Love one another.' (John 13:34). But the most important question asked the teachers who were against Jesus Christ: 'Who can forgive sins but God alone (Mark 2:7)?'
   The road led me to the center of the small town. I passed a seemingly empty tavern with a tin beer commercial. In front of a kindergarten building, I suppose, I ran into the 'Little Free Library', two small book cases with many books behind glass doors for everyone to open. A great idea... 

Little free Library

   From the road I was walking there is a left junction with the direction showing 'Ottenburg', my next goal of the day. I trekked along and crossed a picturesque river beside a non working mill. I leaned my luggage on the brick made railing and took my picture. 

Suddenly a group of elder people with one guide pushed themselves in front of me. Everyone was looking town to the river while the guild explained something in Dutch. After they were finished an elderly lady asked: 'Who's luggage is this?" In this moment I stepped forward and said "This is mine!" and everyone looked a kind of strange and surprised to me,  obviously noticing me for the first time!

Elderly curious Citizens...

   Looking at the photo I noticed that the men carry messenger bags like me on this tour and the women carry backpacks. By the way, the man with the green messenger bag is covering my sports bags on wheels, the red zipper can be seen between his legs...

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/10/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_8.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! 
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