Belgium: the visit to the comic strip and praline state

Visiting Belgium was one of my dream back in college. This country attracts me in some ways: First: it applies two national language: Dutch and French. Secondly, it is home to my favourite comic characters: Tin Tin, Smurf, and Lucky Luke (although Marsupilia is also "belgian":-)) and one of the biggest China Town in Europe. Third, it is famous by its chocolate praline and its original french fries (Belgians claim that french fries or frites was originated from Belgium!!). Fourth, the first "bule" who taught me english in a nice class was a belgian, and last: for some personal reasons:-). But I thought it would be only a dream back then.

Since now I live in Europe, the idea came one day from my husband in the end of July. He had to go to Belgium in early August to accompany high school students and assist to european union students exchange programme. He surprised me by tagging me along with him as his company and of course was assisgned to help on the programme ( yeah sure:-_)).
We are based on Hasselt city but we visited Brussels and Antwerpen as well. Basically, all belgian cities are alike but still they retain their own characteristics. If you go to Belgium you definitely have to try its pralines, ice cream, cakes, waffles, and of course: French Fries!!
They have more variety of snacks than Czech (read: junk food:-)) such as fried satay, fried lumpia, fried ba'mi, fried nasi goreng roll, fried minced meat roll, kinds of fries and sauces...
For experiencing the lives and cultures, Belgium is alright, but not to enjoy its nature coz you will find meadows with cows, fields with cows, private house garden with cows, and if you are lucky, you will see some ducks and lambs:-). It is flat land as you can enjoy thoroughout your journey.

The first journey led us to HASSELT. It is known as Jenever City and proud of it! They hold regular tour to its brewery. All who drink gin and tonic might be tempted to try this belgian gin as it is very strong and has its own class. But hey, that's not for me, it's too strong and hot!

Hasselt' s selling points are : being a tourists-friendly centre and bikers-friendly city with bike path and bike traffic light and parking lots, its free bus as public transport and its Japanese Garden which is doubt as the largest in Europe (which is so far true, if you compare with Wroclaw).

The compact and lively main square are flooded with updated-fashion outlets and cafes. Either you will spend your day by shopping and munching on pralines or or by... shopping:-)!.
Funny though, they are proud of their ice cream which is branded as AUSTRALIAN ICE CREAM:-) (what the..? even in australia there is no such thing:-))
But I wonder why they dont have many food outlets. Either they have only few nice restaurants or just snacks counters... I miss three-course meal in Czech rep:-(.

The students were encouraged to express their opinions and think critically, know other cultures and appreciates minority-class rights and lives as delivered by the Tutsi-soldier boy veteran, Children rights Foundation, and some entertaining workshop such as practising Capoeira and kendang, and cooking traditional meals. They were also taken to enjoy outdoor actions with team and work together. First they had to get into a small house and found their way out. Then they had to do the sport biking actions, and then continued to the wall climbing and gliding down. Lastly, they had to pass the balance test with water as its limit (they were not supposed to fall into the water:-)).
The highlight of the program was the tour to THE EUROPEAN UNION PARLEMENT BUILDING. It is always interesting how states regulate their common lives. Europe as Asia is also quite a complex world. It homes huge variety of cultures, politics, and economics. I enjoyed the explanations on their striving for unity and conformity with democratization and liberalization still underway... And imagine that this fighting club still struggle but yet want to dictate Asian countries and tell them what to do. Nobody's perfect:-). But money talks, still:-).

Normally, no matter serious is the program, it always goes crazy with the youngsters... it is fun to spend time with the youths and bringing all the mischieves back to live such as sneaking out at night, finding cool places to hang out, foolish conversations, cool photo sessions:-).

BRUSSELS was the next journey. It was big and has nice China Town with yummy cuisine and abundant Asian supplies. It has large and free Palace with its pretty garden to visit. Dont forget the astronomical clock near it and the fabulous main square with the famous Pissing Manekin. I must say that Im not impressed by its minute-sized Manekin and its small street packed with tourists. Somehow Prague is more picturesque and grander to me....
Any way, I got what I wanted here: the comic characters souvenirs!!! Yuhuu....

ANTWERPEN was so far the must-see city. It is really big. I cant really explain how come it looks much bigger than Brussels, maybe it is really big and has nice city plan. WARNING: This is the heaven for the shopping lovers with lots of shops and entertainment.
the atmosphere is almost similar to Praha, although I admit that Antwerpen is interesting!!
Try the noodle bar and pizzeria on the square behind the cathedral or simply enjoy the stage performance in front of the cathedral or go to the main square with its marine-theme statue.. or also go to the dock near the river.. It is surely romantic and heart-capturing!!!!
The atmosphere was great and tempting me to buy the post card like other tourists and mail it to home:-).

People said that pictures talk alot, but I must say, pictures cant talk of everything. You must come and experience it:-). Yet the setback was that Belgium was gloomy, windy, cold, and rainy most of the time... It 's apparently not summer... still Ondra and me enjoyed being strangers in foreign countries:-). See you in next trip!