The Stilted Generation

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Two this week actually, taken at a stilted street parade through Mechelen over the weekend. 

I've always loved the street performance culture in Belgium. A lot of the time they arrive unannounced too, like these drummers and butterflies that marched through town during the annual kid's festival, adding a welcomed element of surprise and unexpected entertainment. 

What street performances come through your town?

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All roads lead to Grimbergen

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And yet I've never been to Grimbergen...

O Captain! My Captain!

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A weathered portrait of Tin Tin and Captain Haddock stuck in an embrace - Brussels

O Captain! My Captain! was the name of the poem Walt Whitman wrote after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. But I don't think Old Walt would have a problem with it used in this context.

For more Walt Whitman, check out my first ever blog post from back in 2014, Salut au Monde!, in which I tried to stay a bit closer to what the poet intended.

Have a good week everyone!

Monkey face

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Hi there - it's been a little while since I last blogged. Did you miss me?

Rounding the bend

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While driving in the Belgian countryside this weekend, we crossed paths with a road race that was happening in the area. Here's the leader, with a peloton of about a hundred other cyclists tight on his heels.

Skol bus

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An American school bus used to bring union members to Brussels this week during the national rally. There were thousands of marchers and, as you can see, they like their beer. The train strikes this week also slowed down travel quite a bit around the country, and it looks like they will continue into next week. Even the teachers at my daughters school are striking on Tuesday. Well guys, skol!

Brussels Jazz Marathon

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Funk, jazz, gospel trio including Brussels vocalist, Soul T, performing Friday night at L'Archipel

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Christmas lights on the Bruul in Mechelen

The roof is on fire!

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Brussels Policewoman & Fireman

In the first picture below, you can see a cloud of black smoke rising into the sky. If you look a bit closer, you can see orange flames on the rooftop of the building in the center of the frame. I took this picture this week from my office, where I was surprised to look out and see that the building where my friend lives had caught fire.

My friend - and old neighbor when I lived two buildings to the left of the one on fire - lives on the first floor. Another friend used to live on the top floor of that building, right under where the fire was. Many a night we all hung out on his balcony, gazing over the rooftops of the city. The second photo below was taken from that balcony, mirroring back the view from my office.

The fire was started accidentally by the roofers who were working up there. Luckily no one was hurt and there was not too much damage, mostly just a lot of water and foam in the corridors to clean up. I went over on my lunch break where I met some the heroes of this story, shown above. 

 

Brussels getting back to normal

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@ Botanique Metro Station

Streets of Stockholm

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Last week on a stroll through Gamla Stan, the old town, in Stockholm

Bike-in cinema

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This "bike-in cinema" is one of many art installations seeking to redefine the parking spot that you'll find scattered throughout the streets of Mechelen throughout the summer.

Piano man

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There are a few pianos in St. Pancras Station, London, that anyone can sit down and play at. This young guy was really good and I was glad to catch a few notes before my train left for Brussels on Thursday.

Beware of God

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Curious collection on the dashboard of a parked car

Carnival

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Float in the Mechelen carnival parade

Hands down

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Playing with coasters at the Honoloeloe cafe on the Grote Markt in Mechelen. The full name of the bar is actually "Als ik mijn oven toedoe, ben ik in honoloeloe" - which means, "When I close my eyes, I'm in Honolulu."

Teamwork

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Rosie & Grandma at the Kaffee-ine coffee bar in Mechelen

Stable outlook

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Horse peering out of its stable as the afternoon sun began to set in Itegem, Belgium

Bitter sweet

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Rue de Flandre, Bruxelles

Je suis Charlie / Ik ben Ahmed

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Window in Mechelen, Belgium: Following the terrorist shootings in France this week at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, signs of support for the victims reading "Je suis Charlie" ("I am Charlie") are appearing around the world. "Ik ben Ahmed" ("I am Ahmed"), which refers to the Muslim  policeman, Ahmed Merabet, who was brutally murdered by the radical Islamist terrorists outside the Charlie Hebdo offices, has also become a rallying cry in the wake of the tragedy.