Belgium

So far I have loved Belgium. There is something about this place that just gives me a good vibe. The people are cool, and I have really had a good time everywhere I went. There is something to be said for a culture that has adopted a peeing boy as its symbol (Manneke Piss seen to the left), its an odd but good sense of humor. The people are very relaxed, and enjoyable to be around. They love to eat and drink. There is a running joke that while many of their neighboring countries were in the middle east fighting during the Crusades, the Belgians were just getting drunk.

The people love beer. They love beer so much that the word for "cool", or "awesome", is "beer", no joke. I was asked where I was from, and when I responded close to Chicago the man told me that "Chicago was very beer", and was serious about it. Also in Flemish culture the highest complement you could pay someone is to say they are as grand as the beer maker: interesting isn't it?

As far as food the Flemish know how to do it right, nothing but chocolate and pastries, mostly waffles. The waffles are a must here, seriously they force you to eat them. I went to a sandwich shop yesterday in Bruges, and when I was done the lady asked me what kind of waffle I wanted. I replied that I didn't want one. She asked why, and I responded I was poor and it wasn't in the budget. She told me that everyone should have a waffle, then left, and came back with a waffle and a liter of beer. She informed me it was on the house, and left with a big smile. Now, how could you not love this culture, no one said any ting about beer, she just thinks all people should have a beer and waffle, so she made sure I did.

As for the sights All the cities have been cool. I started in Brussels, and thought it was a really cool town. The streets are very ornate, and their is always some one playing instruments in the streets around people drinking. Its really cool and very multi cultural. their are different streets that you would swear that you were in Greece or Poland, or anywhere in Europe. Since it is the capitol of the EU it has become one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Then I went to Bruges. I really liked Bruges. The city is this old medieval layout, which hasn't been altered since the 13th century. Its really quaint, and their are a fair amount of things there as well. I saw a vile of Christs blood, which was strange but cool. I also saw Michelangelo's Madonna and Child, which was the only one of his work to leave Italy during his life. Their are also many windmills around (as seen to the right), which add to the rustic feel.

After Bruges I went to Ghent. I didn't know what to expect, and honestly I just went because it was on my way back from Bruge to Brussels. So I got off the train, and thought the town looked deserted. So I walked around a little and soon discovered everyone was in the center of town. Apparently it was their annual festival and I just happened to get there. I was pretty cool their were stages set up with people playing music everywhere, and a lot of different other performances. It was actually really nice. I don't know if the city of Ghent is nice or not, but they do know how to throw a festival. I had a blast.

Finally today I went to Antwerp. Antwerp is pretty cool, but not really the city for me. Its known as one of the fashion capitals in the world and is a great place to go shopping. Since I'm now broke, and unable to purchase fine garments at the moment there isn't much to do in Antwerp. The train station was really nice, they boast its the prettiest in the world, but I don't know how official this title is. They also have a ton of medieval buildings including a castle from the 9th century (seen on the right). The city is pretty cool, and I'm glad I came, but a shopper with money would have died and gone to heaven in Antwerp.

All in all Belgium and the Flemish people are awesome, and I'm having too much fun here to be going home tomorrow. Ive met a bunch of really interesting people, like two days ago I went to a bar/cafe, and ordered a sandwich. I got to talking to the guy next to me and it turns out he was a congressman from the Congo. It was pretty cool (or "beer" I guess), he was a really interesting guy. Yesterday too, I was at the hostel and I met there to guys from Whales. They were really cool, and fun to hang out with.

I'm looking forward to somethings from home, but I'm going to miss all the different people one meets while traveling, especially alone. Its been a crazy experience, and I'm sad to see it end.

Anyway, stay tuned to the blog, because Ill try to do a few Israel updates (July23-August2), and let you all know how that's going, but as for Europe, I think this will be my final entry.

See you in the States,

Seth