Brussels :)

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We decided to spend Armistice Day in Brussels celebrating our freedoms: of education, travel, language.... living.

Upon arriving to our destination, we were greeted with the fine scent of warm waffles & Gluwine Mmmmm! Deep Autumn in Europe has arrived. The streets were much more quiet than they would have been for a week day, especially on the Wetstraat ( Rue de la Loi ) Law Street. Normally packed to capacity with ambassadors, members of Parliament, the Prime Minister's cabinet, the European Commission headquarters employees, the staff of the Royal Palace..... hardly a soul to be seen.
@ 11/11/11 The 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, Europe is silent. We teach our children, we reflect.

We visit the BoZar ( Beaux-Arts ) Expo. Palace of Fine Arts, with delight :) Le sourire de Bouddha will be on exhibition here until the 18th of January & gives a unique history of Buddhist art in Korea. AMAZING how Buddha has changed over the centuries, I must say & photos are forbidden >.> Oops!

Brussels origins date from around the year 580 but since the founding of the city by Charlemagne's grandson, the city has become a metropolis of more than 1 million people. The original city walls seen here, were later to be replaced by a more expansive wall which can still be seen, in bits & pieces.
Primarily French speaking but because of the political/language problems between the Dutch & French speaking (North & South) the Dutch language is spoken more often here than it was even 10 years ago. However, I have found one is more quickly received & accepted if you speak French or English. Since I learned Dutch before French I would have thought it would have been well received when visiting the city -_- it wasn't. Attitudes certainly changed toward me, in the positive, when I began speaking English. It is indeed a long & complicated history of turmoil here concerning the language & has led to unbelievable chaos in government. Seemingly a perpetual state of stalemate.

The Royal Palace is a representation of the system of government, it is not the residence of the king. This is a constitutional monarchy & the palace is used by the king to deal with matters of state, hosting large receptions & receiving foreign Heads of State.
http://www.monarchie.be/assets/surrounds/popup_su15_h_en.html
It is a gorgeous building!

The Grand Place is, what I think, to be one of the cities most beautiful places. Here, the central market square is the cultural heart of the city. The vast variety/style of the buildings from the 15th-17th century are a testament to architectural achievement.
When entering the square, one cannot help their eyes to be drawn to, what many interpret, as a Cathedral-when in fact it is the town hall. This extraordinary structure has withstood the bombing of the French & the burning of the city even though it was the target for destruction!
You'll notice the many "lines" running across the square, these (for once) are not tram lines but Christmas lights! :D & a "Don't Miss" is the Flower Carpet. The words "display of Begonia's" takes on a WHOLE new meaning :)
http://www.flowercarpet.be/site/main.php?lg=en

The Speculoos cookies seen in the photo are a tradition in France & Belgium. This comes from the Latin words "species"-spice & "speculator"-bishop. Generally only having been popular during the holidays, they have become SO popular one can purchase them now any time of year. DELICIOUS, often served with espresso & if need be, can describe them as - akin to gingerbread.... only better ;) The use of vergeoise brune is the key. This is a brown sugar made from beet syrup & tastes better than it sounds :D

Manneken Pis is probably Brussels most famous statue. I've seen it dozens of times, literally hundreds of people taking photos of it & this is my 1st one :) I don't like it, never have. But I'm finding I take "different" photos for my travel blog than I would for my own personal album. It's not as easy as one might think to write about & take photos of a place you're very familiar with. Where to begin & where to end? Manneken Pis has a wardrobe of about 700 suits of clothing created by "The Friends of Manneken-Pis". Oh well, everyone needs a hobby :D

Brussels is an exciting city; clean, ordered, full of history, modern, fast paced yet cultured everywhere you look. I'll be writing more about Brussels in the future, with a more exact history & interesting sights ;)

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