Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 8 - In Brussels (1)

This blog continues the previous Part 7,

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_30.html

Sunday, June 24, 2018

   I slowly crossed the outskirts of Brussels and walked steadily towards the center of the  metropolis. I've already mentioned that I had plenty of time so I've decided not to use any public transportation but rather use my own feet. I've made this decision to learn more about the country and the city, tried to figure out if I like it and if a positive experience let me stay longer or leave to another country within the European Union.

Walking thru the Streets of Belgium: Me, My Luggage and My Camera...

   I've met a lot of non-Europeans who traveled several countries within the EU (European Union). For me as a German I could go wherever I wanted with my passport even for some countries I had to change my Euros into local currencies (British Pounds, Swiss Francs etc.). So walking on the roads and experience the environment in Belgium or rather Brussels helped me in my decision to stay in this country for my whole holidays of 3 weeks!

Everyday Open Air Antique Market right in front of my Hotel

   The language barrier was not a real problem because even people could not speak English they tried at least. I've asked one younger person why the Belgians do not speak English he answered "because we do not have the chance to use it". They learn English in school but very seldom speak it...

   Dutch is the official and most spoken language (60%) of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region (merged to Flanders). The main Dutch dialects are Brabantian, West Flemish, East Flemish and Limburgish.

   French is with 40% speakers the second most spoken language. It is the dominant language in Wallonia as well as in the Brussels-Capital Region.

   There are only around 0.4% people speaking German, I did not even run into one during my whole trip.

Typical Fruit and Vegetable Shop also selling Tobacco and Cigarettes in Brussels

   What I appreciated during the trip is the road system and the manners of the Belgian drivers. A zebra crossing or crosswalk is working very well. Even before coming near the thick lines on the road, cars & trucks were already breaking and patiently waiting while I was crossing the road. Living in chaotic Taipei this is unthinkable. Many people here in Taiwan 'blame' the disobeying of rules on the many citizens but I believe traffic is about respect for others, a lack of education & responsibility and a general 'disobeying' or selfish way of life. While in the Far East the 'stronger' wins in Belgium it looks that the weaker are protect...I enjoyed crossing the roads in Belgium very much which, for me, translates into 'maturity of its citizens'.

   What do I mean by that? 

'Maturity' according to the Cambridge Dictionary is:

- the quality of behaving mentally and emotionally like an adult

- a very advanced or developed form or state

Do you understand that a car can be a weapon? Do you understand that you have responsibilities etc.

   The other thing I really appreciated is the willingness to maintain the public safety. In Brussels I've encountered heavily armed soldiers and policeman walking the streets and the train stations. I never felt threatened or insecure, even drunkards and beggars tried to keep it quiet and to themselves. Some people complained that Belgium police first ‘act’ then ‘ask’ but for me this sounds very reasonable in times when even democratic elected presidents rather divide than unite, sew the ignorant seed of hate rather than to understand and try to learn.

   In Belgium there is a constant maintenance of roads and public buildings like train stations which might be cleaned, repaired and even renewed. This shows that the government is willing to improve and not let the country fall apart.

   During my holidays I could go wherever I wanted in Europe. But my experiences during these first six hours on Belgian roads from the airport to my hotel helped me decide to stay the next three weeks in this 'small but beautiful country’, as a sales lady described her own Belgium in a small drugstore in the Belgian city of Tervuren on my way to Namur.

Water Fountain near Tervuren on my way to Namur

(to be continued @

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_3.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! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 3 - Introduction of Belgium

This blog continues the previous Part 2, 
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_19.html

Introduction of Belgium

   The 30,528 square kilometers (11,787 sq mi) Kingdom of Belgium is bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. Its over 11 million citizens are home to two main linguistic groups: the Dutch-speaking, mostly Flemish community which constitutes about 59 % of the population, an the French-speaking, mostly Walloon population, which constitutes about 40% of all Belgians. There is a small group of German speakers, numbering around 1% who live in the East of the country close to the German border.

   The name 'Belgium' is derived from the Roman province Gallia Belgica (Belgic Gaul), a province of the Roman Empire which today is primarily Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century the area of Belgium was a prosperous and cosmopolitan center of commerce and culture. Between the 16th and early 19th centuries Belgium served as the battleground between European powers, earning the moniker the 'Battlefield of Europe' which continued through both World Wars. The country emerged in 1830 following the Belgian Revolution when it seceded from the Netherlands.
   Belgium is one of the six founding countries of the European Union and hosts the official seat of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, as well as a seat of the European Parliament in the country's capital, Brussels.
   Belgium is also the founding member of the Eurozone, NATO, OECD and WTO and a part of the trilateral Benelux Union and the Schengen Area. Brussels hosts several of the EU's official seats as well as the headquarters of many major international organizations such as NATO (based on wikipedia).
   Why so many smaller countries (like Taiwan) complain about the treatment of their 'bigger' brothers (like Mainland China) the small country of Belgium should be regarded as an example. Located between powerful countries like Germany, the Netherlands and France the nation of Belgium maintained not only their own country but even took steps in the future (like attending the EU as a very active member, attending NATO to secure their safety).
   In Taiwan there are only two big parties taring the country with their own agendas apart. One party wants to unite with Mainland China while the other want independence. In this constant political struggles there is so much wasting and inefficiency, together with the very evident stubbornness to look at a problem from different, not only your own, angles there is no way that a society (a large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how do do things and sharing the work that needs to be done) could work. 
   The world is a big place full of many different influences; everyone should open their eyes, look inside him- or herself, evaluate and than make a careful step into the right direction in the future as a united (!) country...It is strange that Taiwan wants to be American or European, stuck in the relationship with Mainland China but does not find their own way...

Economy

This small country is surprisingly the world's largest exporter of diamonds and carpets but is more known for its chocolate, beer and waffles. Some people might argue if the French or the Belgians invented the 'French Fries' which are called 'Chips' in Belgium.

Chocolate:

Belgian chocolate is a major industry since the 19th century, following facts:

- The Belgium chocolate industry is almost 400 years old.

- In 1912 Jean Neuhaus Jr., a Swiss migrant, invented the praline, the first chocolate with a soft filling.

- Belgium can produce up to 600.000 tons of chocolate a year.

- Belgium chocolate maker still use 100% cacao butter

- The top seller of chocolate in Belgium is the Brussels airport

(https://brussels-express.eu/7-facts-about-belgian-chocolate/)

Chocolate Portrait of Jean Neuhaus Jr. at the "Birthplace of the Belgian Praline" 

Chocolate Portrait of Jean Neuhaus Jr. at the "Birthplace of the Belgian Praline" 

Beer:

Brewing in Belgium dates back at least to the age of the first crusades in the 12^th century. Some facts:

- As for 2016 there are approx. 224 active breweries in Belgium

- Belgians drink 84 liters of beer each year, down from 200 liters in 1900

- Belgium export 60% of its beer

- Belgian beers are often served in elaborate branded beer glassware in specific glasses.

- In 2016 the UNESCO inscribed Belgian beer culture on their list of ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity'.

(based on Wikipedia)

Lindemans 3.5% Cherry Beer with at least 20% cherries popular with women!

Waffles:

Waffles were first made in the Middle Ages and sold as crispy and rich street-side snack by vendors outside churches in Belgium. There are, in fact two types of waffles which are known as Brussels and Liege waffles. The Brussels waffle is what is most commonly known as Belgium waffles in the U.S. The Liege waffle is more common in Belgium, known for its rich, sticky texture that is accentuated with every bite.

(https://gounesco.com/the-history-of-the-belgian-waffle/)

Waffle Shop near Manneken Pis Landmark Small Bronze Sculpture

(to be continued@ 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_24.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! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel