Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 13 - In Brussels (6)

This blog continues the previous Part 12,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_8.html

Monday, June 25, 2018

   

   After checking out the Midi (or South) Train Station I went back to the 'Lift des Marolles', right opposite from the Palace of Justice. 

   Today, on my 2nd day in Brussels and of the my Tour de Belgium, will become an historical excursion of this city which traces its human settlements back to the Stone Age. When Julius Caesar arrived in the region, the inhabitants of Belgium, northwestern France and the German Rhineland were known as Belgae (after whom Belgium is named) and were considered the northern part of Gaul. The region was home of Roman occupation, after the decline of the Western Roman Empire (395-480) Germanic tribes came to dominate an form kingdoms until Belgium became part of the Frankish Empire (481-843). King Charlemagne brought a huge part of Europe under his control and was crowned the 'Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire' by Pope Leo III (800 in Aachen).

   The Frankish lands were divided and reunified several times and eventually firmly divided into France and the Holy Roman Empire. The parts of the country of Flanders west of the river Scheidt (Scheide in Dutch, Escaut in French) became part of France; the remainders were part of the Holy Roman Empire. As the Empire and French Kings lost control of their domains in the 11th and 12th century the territory corresponding to present Belgium was divided into independent feudal states. 
   Until the 19th century Belgium was controlled by French, Dutch and Spanish until a series of events would lead to the creation of the Belgian state. After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo the victorious powers of Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia met in Vienna. One of the most significant decisions was the creation of the United Kingdom of Netherlands, territories once part of France should be attached to the Netherlands. But the country was hugely divided because the north was Protestant but the south Catholic; there was a linguistic division between the Walloons who speak French as opposed to the Flemish who speak Dutch. On Aug. 1830 the Belgian Revolution started with a simple demand: independence and an end to Dutch dominance. The great powers of the Vienna Congress gathered again in London on 20 Dec. 1830 and had no choice but to recognize the success of the revolution and as a result guarantee Belgium's independence as an own country (wikipedia puls https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/belgium-a-brief-history-of-how-it-all-began/).
   Leaving the lift the road leads you to the the 'Infantry Memorial of Brussels' (or Monument A la Gloire de l'Infanterie Belge) beside the Palace of Justice in memory of the Belgian foot soldiers (infantry) who fought in World War I and World War II. 

Infantry Memorial of Brussels

   It is a tall statue with soldiers and the goddess of victory in the center, at the top a golden crown. As the picture shows the weather was cloudy, the sun did not come out yet.

   From there I followed the Rue de la Régence; this road I would lead me to the Sablon (French) or Zavel (Dutch), a neighborhood and hill in the historic upper town of Brussels.

   But first I paid my respect to the Anglo-Belgian War Memorial right across the Palais de Justice on the Place Poelaert or Poelaertplein. It is a monument commissioned by the British Imperial War Graves Commission and unveiled by the Prince of Wales in 1923. It commemorates the support given by the Belgian People to British prisoners of war during World War I.

Anglo-Belgian War Memorial

   Visiting both memorials I could not help but think what great achievement the creation of the European Union actually is. Former enemies joined peaceful hands to create a save, equal and united Europe with one single currency. The result is more than 70 years peace between nations who formerly fought so bitterly in two World Wars against each others with huge losses on all sides in the last century. But unfortunately the British, who erected the Anglo-Belgian War Memorial, don't see the benefits but rather selfishly turn away from their responsibilities and prefer to leave Europe. Just think for a moment: The British spend time and money for a war memorial but don't want to join the peaceful Union of Europe because of monetary and sovereignty arguments? How much sense does this make? It's beyond my understanding...   

   The Rue de la Régence led me pass historical buildings beside the road to the 'Square of Petit Sablon'. It is surrounded by a wrought-iron balustrade which is punctuated by 48 tall stone pillars, atop each pillar is a statuette representing historical professions; each pillar has a unique design like each section of fence. It was created by the architect Henri Beyaert (1823-1894) and inaugurated in 1890.
   I liked this square very much. It shows different famous Belgian masters and not only tell their history but more about their professions. There work lead to today's sciences and contributed so much to our knowledge without us even recognizing. The whole park for me a piece of art with too many details to describe. 

Square of Petit Sablon  

   Right across the Square is the Catholic Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Sablon or the Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon dates from the 15th century. The whole construction in Barbantine Gothic style took about a century, the choir was finished in 1435. The works were interrupted but recommenced by the end of the century. 
   The church is very large, It took my widest angle and an overhead shot to take a picture of this magnificent building. Originally patronized by the nobility and wealthy citizens of Brussels I could only imagine how impoverished the common people lived at that time. 
   As a missionary in Taiwan it is difficult to explain non-Christians or even Christians the Catholic relationship of worldly power with the eagerness to build churches like castles and the teachings and examples of our Lord Jesus Christ. While Jesus dressed Himself in the cheapest camel hair and wore sandals His 'Representative on Earth' indulges himself in unimaginable luxury!  

Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Sablon  

(to be continued @ 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_15.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 12 - In Brussels (5)

This blog continues the previous Part 11: https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_6.html

   

Monday, June 25, 2018

   

   During my travels I am an early riser and early sleeper; this has also something to do with safety in a foreign land and a foreign environment. I advice my wife and daughter to do the same. Therefore I woke up 'naturally' around 6:30. Walking to the bathroom I've noticed that I had actually two roommates sharing the same hostel room with me even I've heard only one female voice last night. Both of them were covered with their blankets...

   After a shower and my morning toilet I went downstairs to the breakfast room which is rightfully praised in all forums online. Passing the reception desk I came into a very empty room with only one Belgian waiter still preparing the food and drinks. I took my plate and the silverware and started to stock up. There was a nice selection of sausage and different cheese, with some fresh vegetables; there were different kind of cereals with milk, different kind of bread, coffee & tea etc. to choose from. I felt like in breakfast heaven and choose a seat from which I could oversee the whole room.

Clean & Nice Breakfast Room of the Hotel I had the pleasure to stay

   As I ate I had a great feeling about the day, the excitement to discover a new place let me feel 'high' naturally, without drugs. I wanted to discover Brussels without my luggage, even with the wheels it felt quite cumbersome sometimes especially when crossing the cobbles. But today was my day off from this bag! I thanked God for the breakfast with a long prayer and gave the day in his hands....

   Eating through my blessings the others guest arrived slowly and followed roughly the same procedure to get their breakfast. Before I left there were still many unoccupied tables  due to the fact that the holiday season had not started yet.

   Back to the room I've noticed both roommates were actually female, roughly in my daughter's age. I've tried to make a conversation but the current generation is even on their holidays preoccupied with their cell or smart phones. I don't quite understand why people can't enjoy a new environment with their own senses but rather rely on their phone. What is the reason to travel anyway?

   I left the hotel at around 9:00 and, with the aide of the free map, I did not turn left to the Lift des Marolles or Elevator Marollen-Poelaert (see my "In Brussels 3") but turned right walking undiscovered territory. I passed small lanes until I reached the Boulevard Anspach (French) or Anspachlaan (Dutch), a major boulevard in the city center of Brussels. North of the Brussels Midi Station there are still many historic buildings which became shops on the first floor. Even these buildings have been a kind of modernized you still can feel the time, from the 2nd floor upstairs the buildings did not change a lot on the outside. Later the same road gets a major overhaul and becomes a broad walking pedestrian area. 
   Walking with my camera I took same shots of the views in front of my eyes. There were not many people on the road but glimpses of their lives could be clearly seen. Even coffee shops and restaurants have not been open yet so I had the road nearly for myself.

Boulevard Anspach 

   The Boulevard Anspach was built between 1868 and 1871 over the river Senne, covering it up. Prior to 1879 it was named 'Boulevard Central' until it was renamed after Jules Anspach (1829-1879), the former mayor of Brussels who instigated these works (wikipedia).
   As it is not far to the Midi (South) train station I thought to go there and have a look. Brussels is located in the heart of the small country of Belgium and therefor nearly all trains from and to all four cardinal directions must pass the three main Brussels train stations which are:
- Brussels-South (Brussel-Zuid/Bruxelles-Midi)
- Brussel-Centraal/Bruxelles-Central
- Brussel-Noord/Bruxelles-Nord.
   Stepping into the Midi station I came to a wall decoration of Comic country Belgium's icon Tintin riding on a locomotive. 

Tintin Riding a Train

   Instead of the colored comics this picture is in black and white showing the movement of the train with a determined looking Tintin hanging on the outside of a steam locomotive. Judging from the clothes I believe the scene is probably from the comic 'Tintin in America'. Later, during my walking part of the trip, I would visit the museum of Georges Remi (1907-1983), more famous under his synonym 'Hergé'. He is the artist, creator and mastermind behind the young reporter and adventurer Tintin.
   Within the train station is a station for bike rental. Contrary to Taiwan the local bike rental system 'U Bike' was implemented long after the city has been built, therefore it is rather added to the already existent system. People have to understand that In the Far East bicycles have been a part of the past when people could neither afford motorcycles nor a car. As soon as the income rose bikes were treated as obsolete and were discarded.

Bike Rental within the Midi Train Station

   This changed only a few years ago when the Taiwan government decided to implement the 5 days working week and people stopped to work Saturday mornings. In their leisure time they discovered cycling and somehow 'forced' the governments to build bike lanes. Therefore all bike paths are not this old and, in my opinion, built as an alibi. This means that the government builds them but does not want to spend money to maintain them. Most citizens still don't respect cyclists's rights and treat them as 'necessary evil'. On the bike my paths are permanently cut by motorcycles and cars alike, I got permanently honked at and seen as a traffic obstruction; cars park on or even block bike lanes without any sense of guilt.   
   Belgium has, like their Dutch neighbors, a long history of bike 'culture', bikes are a part of everyday life. Not only racers are living the bike life style but everyone from children to the old aged, female and male, single people and families are living with and on their bikes. There is a mutual respect between cyclist and motorists. This habit I can, unfortunately, not import to Taiwan!

(to be continued @ 
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_12.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 11 - In Brussels (4)

This blog continues the previous Part 10:

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_5.html

Sunday, June 24, 2018

  

   Roaming the streets of Belgium I've noticed that there many people still on the road. For me this is remarkable because as Taiwan is closer to the equator the sun goes down at around 7:00 in the evenings but here in Belgium the sun is still giving light until after 10:00 pm. 

   With the map in my hand I walked the street, on one hand carried away by the new impressions but on the other trying to remember my way back home or should I write 'back to the hotel'. I looked around and took some photos which reminded me how blessed I was to come here. Every meter, every street corner seemed to hold something interesting and new, might it be houses, roads or even cars parking beside the road. There were many bikes riding compared to other countries I've visited previously.
   This evening would only be a only 'roughly' discovery of Brussels. Tomorrow will be a true research of the city which was very exciting for me. New places and new environments awaken 'good' and 'curious' spirits in me.

Street Scenes in Brussels with many small Fiat 500 driving and parking

   I walked to the Eglise Notre Dame de la Chapelle Bruxelles (Our Lady of the Chapel) marking the northern end of the district of Marolles. It is Brussels oldest surviving church and build in Romanesque and Romanesque-Gothic architecture. One of its chapels is devoted to the memory of 'Petro Brevgello' or Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525~1530-1569) and his wife Marie Coucke who got married in this church in 1563. Outside of the church is a bronze statue remembering the most significant artist of Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painting , famous for his landscapes and peasant scenes. He lived in the district of Marolles, possibly before his time the former leper colony developed already into an artist magnet with its many antique and art shops.

Statue of Pieter Bruegel the Elder beside the Eglise Notre Dame de la Chapelle

   Finally the long way from the airport to the hotel and the discoveries on the streets of Belgium took its toll and I headed back to the hotel. My flight took in total 14 hours plus 3 hours waiting for the connection and I walked around 10 hours without any sleep at all. It was a great feeling of achievement and relief that everything went well, that I had chosen a great destination but I was longing for a bed. .. 

   Arriving in my room I was still alone without any roommates. I took the chance to take a long nice shower and went to bed around 10:30 p.m. Before sleeping I stored my stuff in the lockers and secured it with a padlock, locked the main department of my bag also with a padlock and took my camera bag beside me in my bed. I've charged my batteries and prepared my stuff for the next morning. I would never underestimate the 'danger' of losing things so I stored everything properly and closed it tightly.
   I believe I've heard some noise of new roommates and suggested them to turn on the light in the middle of the night. A girl answered; she did not want to disturb my sleep. Somehow my bed was too comfy and I was too tired to wake up completely. So I continued my sweet dreams.

(to be continued @ 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/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! 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 10 - In Brussels (3)

This blog continues the previous Part 9,

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_3.html

Sunday, June 24, 2018

  

   The 'Lift van de Marollen (Dutch)' took me down to the Marolles (French), an old but very lively neighborhood between the Palace of Justice and the South Railway Station or 'Gare de Buxelles-Midi (French)' or 'Station Brussel-Zuid (Dutch)'. In the heart of Marollen is the Eglise Notre Dame de la Chapelle/Kapellekerk and the Place du Jeu de Balle/Vossenplein. 
   This disctrict originated when a leper colony was set up by the nuns of the abby Maria Colentes (Marikollen). The Marollen became a working class neighborhood the following centuries but recently become very fashionable.

Street Art in Marolles

   Leaving the lift I walked over cobbles down to the Rue de l’Epée, on this Sunday afternoon lined with guests from coffee shops and restaurants sitting outside under the open sky. This gave the area a very Mediterranean touch and stood in sharp contrast to the historical streets I walked a few minutes before. The seriousness of historical buildings gave way to a more relaxed lifestyle with sometimes very lively conversations. 

   I turned left into the 'Rue Haute' one of the lifelines through the district. I pulled my luggage along and turned right into the 'Rue de Renards' to my hotel. The whole way was lined with more or less restaurants, most of the guests sitting beside the road seemed to be men from the Middle East.

Street Musicians performing beside a Bar at the Marolles Flee Market

   To go to the hotel I passed the open air Marolles Flea Market which is, to my surprise, open 365 days a year. This means every morning the market is set up by the dealers and every evening the market has to be emptied and cleaned up. 

   Actually the term 'flea market' is quite an understatement. I am not an art expert but I've discovered many original photos, postcards and books from many years ago in good quality and complete!

Marolles Flee Market on a Sunday Afternoon

   As I had a reservation for two nights the check-in was a on-brainer. Actually I did not have my own room but only a bed in a room, more like a youth hostel. This sounds not private and as we have to share the same shower and toilet maybe inconvenient but it was cleaned every day.

   Contrary to my previous experiences in Belgium the young son of the owner spoke English very well. After some details he handled me the keys to my room with a number for the electric lock after 10:00 pm.

   I carried my luggage through a narrow hallway in the back of the hotel to the 2nd floor. To my surprise the whole room was empty and I choose a bed convenient for me. With the bed my around 7-hour Odyssey from the airport to the hotel across the suburbs and the city of Brussels ended, I could finally lay my head on my pillow to take some rest.

   Thinking about it I was glad that I did not take public transportation but could already experience and breathe Belgium as it is, not out of a window but in true colors! I was glad that my sense of direction and the small signs beside the road worked well, that my equipment worked fine and the camera with all the other stuff held up very well! It was a nice experience on this 1st (!) day and my life in Taiwan seemed already very far way!

   Before the 1st day came to an end I locked the door and went exploring the neighborhood. The hotel had a free map and with it and my camera I discovered the streets and sights of this not too large city. 

Painted Windows under real Trees in the Belgium District of Marolles

   Roaming the streets I felt here is a great melting point of different cultures. There were Europeans, people from Africa, the Middle East but nearly no Asian. Some workers of the hotel came from Russia and Tunisia and all the people lived together peacefully. There were different smells following me, many street details testify that the people see this place as their home. Different people and cultures mean more interesting impressions quite contrary to many people's believe. It was a good and right decision to drop of my anchor in this environment for a while...

(to be continued @

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_6.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/gerhardwanninger 

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 9 - In Brussels (2)

This blog continues the previous Part 8,

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html

Sunday, June 24, 2018

   The city of Brussels is the capital of Belgium and divided into 19 municipalities incl. the city itself. The location is right in the center of Belgium and part of the French and Flemish community. There are around 2.1 million people living in the metropolitan area which is the largest population in all Belgium.

   Walking and pulling my sports bag behind me there are many small road signs giving the direction the French 'Mont des Arts' or Dutch 'Kunstberg'. This is the 'hill or mount of the arts' right in the center of Brussels. I followed the signs to this urban complex and historic site. It includes the Royal Library of Belgium, the National Archives, the Square - Brussels Meeting Center.

   Nearly reaching my goal I've discovered the Royal Palace of Brussels (French: Palais Royal de Bruxelles) which is the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians in the center of Brussels. It is not a residence but a place 'where His Majesty the King exercises his prerogatives as Head of State, grants audiences and deals with the affair of the state'. The Royal Palace houses the services of the Grand Marshal of the Court, the King's Head of Cabinet, the Head of the King's Military Household and the Intendant of the King's Civil List. The buildings include State Rooms as well as apartments provided for foreign Heads of State during official visits (wikipedia).

Royal Palace of Brussels

   Following the Rue Royal (on the right when you stand in front of the Royal Palace) I came to the Royal Square (French 'Place Royale') which is a historic neoclassical square near the center. At the center is a statue of Godfrey of Bouillon, the leader of the first crusade in 1096 riding on a horseback. Behind the statue is the neoclassical Catholic church Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg, consecrated in 1787. On the western side of the square is the main building of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, next to the Magritte Museum (dedicated to the work of Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte) while on the south-east side is the BELvue Museum telling the history of Belgium. 

Royal Square with the statue of Godfrey of Bouillon in the center and 

Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg in the background

   There I've discovered a tourist information center and went in. I stepped on a historical staircase which led me to the 2nd floor. There I showed an elderly gentlemen the address of my hotel on a picture of my camera and he showed me and marked the direction on the map. He sold me the tourist map for one Euro without receipt and put my money in his own pocket.

   Leaving the tourist information I already saw the golden roof of the Palace of Justice (French: Palais de Justice), the most important court building in Belgium. Built between 1866 and 1883 in the eclectic style it is known to be the largest building constructed in the 19th century. I followed the road and took a good look around me. Arriving at the impressive building I discovered that it was surrounded by scaffolding, meaning restoration work going on all over the building. This means not only the construction was very expensive but also the maintenance of these historical buildings take a lot of skills and use up many resources. 

Palace of Justice 

   From the Palace sitting of a hill I had to take the Lift van de Marollen to my hotel downstairs. This open air lift was the first of its kind I noticed in my whole life. You have to cross a footbridge (also for baby buggies) and down you go! It was decorated with 'flags' or 1000 T-shirts marking for me the entrance to another world far away from the historical buildings and roads I passed a few minutes before. And down I went...

Lift van de Marollen

(to be continued @

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_5.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 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 7 - About taking Photos

This blog continues the previous Part 6,

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_27.html

   My 'very own' road movie continued to Brussels. It might be a strange way to walk during holidays when we could move so much faster and see much more. For me travel is an experience and should never be a rush; we should never be controlled by a long list of to-do's but rather follow our own instincts.

Belgians at work... 

   My way to travel is about discoveries and for them you only a little more than you eyes, your nose and ears. I need my legs to move and my fingers to take photos which are, without doubt, an extension of my mind; a result of all the impressions around me. When I came back from this tour i experienced the for the first time that my daughter looked at each and every picture I took with real interest which was easily seen by different expression, sometimes asking questions, sometimes even laughing. For me it was a strange thing but finally she said: "You've changed, I can see it from your photos".

   For this trip I bought a new compact & lightweight 4/3 mirror-less camera with a flip-up screen.

Compact: I could easily store it in my messenger bag with enough place for a shirt or a light jacket on the top to close it.

Lightweight: A joy to handle and even handheld shots in darker surroundings were possible; I barely noticed the few grams around my neck. I could even take my lightweight tripod in my messenger bag and still beat the total weight of camera & lenses & tripod of my old SLR camera.

The Flip-Up Screen let me experiment with different angles shooting photos. This screen let me shoot from the center of my body, low shots and of course selfies which I did seldom before. I even put the camera on the cobbles and could control the photo easily with the flip-up screen. I made this shots to show how uneven the surface is.

   My aim was to record what I see or think what is interesting for me. I took photos of people around me doing all kind of things like sweeping the street, painters of fences, workers on houses etc. The camera was very capable and a great support for everything I wanted to visualize.

   In this regard I had only good experiences except once during the whole three weeks in Belgium. Preparing to take photos of the train station a young man from the Middle East indicated with a gesture and by covering his head with a hoodie that he did not like to be in the photo. I replied with a gesture from my side that I understood and put the cover back on my lens for him to see. 

   I do not stick my camera in people's faces but ask before taking a photo if possible. Entering a museum or private property I also inquire politely if it is possible to take photos. Maybe also because of my 'unprofessional' equipment I have never heard a 'no'. On the contrary, museums like the Hergé (creator of the Tin Tin comics) Museum in Louvain-la-Neuve or the the Chocolate World in Belgium rather encouraged me to take photos.

Man starting his Harley in front of Comic Pictures covering Road Work

   Walking on a boulevard it was impossible to overhear a Harley Davidson riding along the road. Just when I prepared to take a photo of two large comic pictures covering road work the rider stopped and parked his bike exactly on the same sport I focused my camera. I thought this is nice and pressed the button after the rider left the scene. But he returned immediately and discovered me and my camera, made some funny poses and I continued shooting. He sat on his motorcycle and rode away. After he left I continued my way and suddenly the rider appeared in front of me.

   "Did you take photos of me?" He asked. 
   "Yes, I did!" I nodded. 
Some people might think a lot in this awkward moment and even possibly get threatened being approached by a man in a leather jacket with a helmet in his hand but I stayed calm. 

   "Could you send me copies?" he asked me politely.

   "Of course, if you would give me your email?"
   He wrote it on my map and after my return I've send him the photos. This is just one example how easy-going the Belgians are and how photos could serve as an ice breaker between humans.

   I had opposite experiences in Japan. While Japanese travelers can visit castles in Germany freely, most parts of the Kyoto palace are off limits for foreign tourists. Just to see some gardens it is not worthy to spend time and money for the trip. Not only people do not want to be photographed but even taking pictures of temples and temple workers are off limits. 
   Once I set up my tripod in an empty 'famous' temple yard on gravel because the weather was terrible on that day in Kyoto. A female employee came to me explaining that "this is not allowed because I would' hinder other (non-existent!) visitors'. Needless to say I traveled to Japan twice: the 1st and last time!   
   Because I had the time and took it easy in Belgium I can remember each and every photo very clearly; the story behind it which made the trip so much more valuable and enjoyable. Especially I would like to encourage my Taiwanese friends not only to run to famous destinations but take the time and their own God-given senses to experience this beautiful world. This let us not to see destinations like on TV but let us create our own impressions which should be shared and lived out. It is senseless to travel but stay the same after your return.

(to be continued @ 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.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