Day 10: Brussels

Brussels day 10:

The Pissing Dog

Woke up early to do my research and decided that things just weren't working out and that Berlin didn't seem like a good idea. Plan two is to go to Luxembourg, Munich, and possibly Salzberg. I'm trying to figure out the trains which are really infusing and I understand why people actually plan thing in advance now. I was trying to find the central station so I could ask someone but apparently I decided to go a different way and now I am sitting at a gourmet hamburger lunch place ad the area here is really nice. Again I wish I had more time but there is never enough time to do everything. This area where I am now is full of fresh (French) people. Not English speakers but French. They say bongiour to you and it's really nice. Not touristy but a local hot spot. I ended up talking to the guys sitting next to me and they gave me a few suggestion of where to go for a dinner and a place to walk around. That interaction just proved that the area was a local place and not just a tourist trap. Before they left, they asked me if I wanted help getting anywhere, and even though I hadn’t thought of what I was going to do, I quickly asked them about the first peeing statue.  They had never heard of it.  Completely touristy.  Well, I tried. 

Me, at the Lot

Then along to the third peeing statue. This time it’s a dog pissing along the side of the street corner. Small but cute. The statue really is not a big deal but another unique aspect about this city. The dog wasn't pissing though. Still counts.  I walked to the Parking Lot 58, which is an ordinary parking garage but you can take a lift to the top for a panoramic view of the entire city. . I also found myself on the streets Nieuwstraad and Rue Neuve which is the most expensive street in the Belgium version of monopoly. It's an expensive area with your typical American brands.

Tintin!!

The next place to explore was the comic book museum. Of course I had to visit this museums! I don't always like history (well I rarely do) but the comic book history of Belgium is sweet! There was information about the general history of the comic book which was interesting. They have been around since before the ye old days during the times of stele. My favorite part was the exhibit on Tintin. I've never really had any connection to this character but since I've been here and have fallen in love with the city I was excited to learn more about this famous comic character. He’s really cool. I would  have been reading about him from an early age if the comics would have been available in English. He's like a super awesome guy who can do anything and everything. He reminds me of Cam Jansen but not really.  More like a mixture of a young Sherlock and Barbie. He solves crimes of all sorts and takes on different identities and personas. He has a trusted sidekick and an inventor and a dog (who is really the one that saves the day). There is also a pair of villainous twins named Dupont and Dupond. They each have two different names, I think depending on the language.  Tintin is so cool and not just because he looks like Stefan.

There was then an exhibit demonstrating the uses of animals in comics. Most of them were in French. All except two. But the amazing thing about comics and art is that one does not need to understand the words in order to understand the meaning. One of the two English ones was of Spiderman and it was so exciting to see Stan Lee’s creation. Brought me back to my olden days. The second one was information about the sperm whale.  Much less exciting. Didn’t bring back memories. There was also exhibits about several other Belgium and Dutch comic artists but it was all in French so I didn't understand any of it. The last part was about a female Brit  who I had never heard of. But everything was in English, so I could understand and enjoy all of her work and the exhibit. I went to the giftshop and bought a Tintin comic for myself!  This was one of the first souvenirs that I bought, but I wanted to buy one, so I now own a Tintin book!

I read about a really good place to get a waffle, and not just the typical touristy one, but the place where the Grannies go to eat waffles.  I ordered a waffle, and started talking to the lady next to me who was reading a guide book.  She is Canadian and is renting an apartment for her week vacation.  We exchanged stories, gave each other suggestions of places to go, and enjoyed each other’s company.  Even though she is at least 10 years older than me, it was nice to have a conversation in English and talk to a fellow traveler.  The waffle wasn’t that special, more like a typical American waffle, which I guess makes it special, but not like the extremely touristy waffled topped with strawberries, whipped cream, and nutella.

I had already found the pissing boy and the pissing dog the only one left was the pissing girl. My journey took me to the famed Delirium Bar which has thousands of beers.  The little statue was tucked away in a corner not really important nit at all. But I found here took a pic and then moved on. 

I went back to the Cathedral of St. Katherine to look at the schedule but by the time I arrived it was already closed. I sat down just to relax and two ladies came up to me asking for money for the handicapped and I decided to give a little for tzedakah. But then she kept asking for change. Change. Change. I had no idea what she meant by that. At this point I already a little bit uncomfortable of the situation and suspicious of her. I caught her touching my camera and I snatched it away. Just in case she was about to take it from me while I was concentrating on the charity. So like I said I was already suspicious. I should have just walked away right then, but I didn’t.  I stupidly was still holding my wallet and she grabbed 50 Euro out and was still screaming ‘change’.  I started yelling at her to give me the money back.  She handed it to me and then I picked up my stuff, kept yelling at her, and walked far away from her.  I need to be more cautious.  

Me, at the Comic Museum!!

My best view of the Atonium (can you find it?)

Went back to my room to get directions to the organ concert (take two). I walked for a while found a Renaissance festival celebrating something from 1800.  This was my first encounter with someone who doesn't necessarily speak English. The second police man gave me general directions. I eventually found something. I also found the Notre Dame Church. Beautiful. The church that I went was absolutes beautiful. Its base was located about three levels above ground. There was an elevator that would take you up o the normal level. I didn’t see the elevator so I walked up the long long ramp. It looked very gothic, like from centuries ago. I'm not sure it's name because there were no signs or people so I was obviously in the wrong place again. Oh well I guess an organ concert just isn't in my schedule. I did manage to see where the Jewish Museum of Belgium is located. I found a large crowd of people waiting by the Notre Dame for fries so I decided to join them. I tried speaking in French but I don't know any beyond ‘hello’, ‘my name is’, and ‘speak French/English’. And ‘thanks’. So he responded in English which was good. I found a random bar that takes place when the train station is abandoned late at night. I also bought a few apples for sometime in the future. I figure I need to start eating more fruit and veggies and less fried food. I am now sitting down at dinner. I ordered French onion soup and a chardonnay. Classy to the max!!  And the waitress doesn't speak any English so adventure. I usual just look at her until I understand and then say ‘wii’ (another French work I know!). 

The View from the Lot