Date of Visit: 22 September 2011
We were in Brussels for a night. Brussels is actually a very important city, despite us not hearing much of it usually. She holds the headquarters of the European Union, and most of the EU parliaments are held in Brussels.
With so much reputation to uphold, the city was pretty disappointing when we first arrive. The streets were full of rubbish and traffic jam was everywhere. I wasn't expecting this in the headquarters of EU! However, upon investigation by Heex, we found out that the city's sanitary workers are on strike, and they have deliberately blocked traffic. Thus, the reason why the city didn't really register a good first impression.
Our accommodation was a BnB, which is a very nicely decorated house. It has a very modernistic feeling to it, and it was designed by the owner himself.
The Belgians love comics, and comic character Tin-Tin originates here.Their love of cartoons and comics are shown by the cartoons drawn on the walls of apartment buildings.
The metro system have an interesting display to show which stations the train are at the time. Pretty interesting to watch, rather than a timer counting down.
The Military museum showcases much of the Belgian military history and some of the war trophies they gathered. They weren't really a military powerhouse, so the displays are not as plentiful as those of the English or the French or Romans. Nonetheless, we were able to get access up to the top of the arch and have a panoramic view of the city.
Inside the Military Museum, there is a special exhibition on political cartoons, much like those we see in newspapers and magazines. Some of them are really funny. I liked the Prince Harry's one best, I really laughed out when I saw it, I just find it really funny.
And of course, the Belgium waffle. Nothing out of the extraordinary, maybe it's because I've got an indifferent taste bud, it's just very sweet.
And lastly, how can we miss the peeing boy. The Mannekein Piss. Legend has it that he saved the city from burning down by peeing into the fire, thus the city built a statue to commemorate him. What's interesting though, is that countries will send different costumes for him every time a diplomat visits. He now has a museum full of his clothes, hundreds of them. Guess what Singapore gave him? I thought it would be T-Shirt and Shorts with haviannas, but instead it was a traditional chinese costume.... disappointing
Well then there's really nothing much about Brussels, thankfully we are here only a day, otherwise we'll be bored to death...
No comments:
Post a Comment