Our new friend Stephen
Our reason for visiting Brussels at this particular time is to see the "Flower Carpet". After checking into our hotel, we went looking for the Grand-Place where every other year they lay down a carpet of flowers representing various themes. The hotel concierge told us to go up the street and through the covered Gallery Shopping area.
Oh Lord, temptation everywhere. First a little art gallery, with the most interesting sculptures made with a combination of brass and crystal. Terry and I both just fell in love with this artisits pieces. We managed to get out of the shop without buying, but we did take pictures of some of his beautiful work.
Next temptation; Belgian chocolate, it's everywhere.
Whew we finally made it through here without purchasing anything. It was hard work.
But now back to the "Flower Carpet" This year, the 19th edition, they have chosen to celebrate the 59th anniversary of Turkish immigration in Belgium. The carpet is 75 meters long and 25 meters wide for a total of 1800 square meters. This tradition began in the Grand-Place in 1971. The flowers used are Flemish Begonias. This years carpet is inspired by the geometric patterns of the famous Turkish kilims (rugs).
The flowers are kept fresh and radiant for four long days. For 5 Euro, you can tour the City Hall on the Square and then take great photo's from the balconies of City Hall, but not until tomorrow and you can't buy tickets in advance.
The Grand-Place was very near our hotel and, even without the flowers, is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
Inner courtyard of City Hall
As we arrived on the first day, they were just beginning to create the carpet. They had laid part of the background of green in grass;
the flowers to be added later today. We checked out the area and then went looking for another famous Brussels landmark, "Mannequin Pis". Found him even though he is quite small and tucked into a corner of the sreet. We knew we were close when we started seeing replicas in all the souvenier stores. In chocolate of course
Manneken Pis; "Little man Pee" is a landmark small bronze sculpture in Brussels, depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain's basin. It was designed by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in 1618 or 1619. The figure has been repeatedly stolen: the current statue dates from 1965. The original restored version is kept at the Maison du Roi/Broodhuis on the Grand Place.
In the 14th century, Brussels was under siege by a foreign power. The city had held its ground for some time, so the attackers conceived of a plan to place explosive charges at the city walls. A little boy named Julianske happened to be spying on them as they were preparing. He urinated on the burning fuse and thus saved the city. There was at the time (middle of the 15th century, perhaps as early as 1388) a similar statue made of stone. The statue was stolen several times.
There are several things one must try to eat in Belgium. Besides the chocolate, there are the waffles. We decided to have one for lunch. There is a waffle shop on most every corner. This was ours and after eating this concoction, we both vowed never again. To rich by far.
We then waddled on up the street to the get on / get off bus which has the Royal Palace on its route. The palace is only open to the public a few days of the year and this was one of them. It turned out to be the next to last stop on the route, so we nearly missed touring the palace. We arrived at around 4:00 pm and they stop tours at 4:30 pm.
Oh well, we decided to go anyway and had plenty of time to see all we wanted. It was a beautiful building as well as containing the history of King Albert and Elisabeth at the end of the 19th Century. They were keen to display a glamorous public image. They enjoyed making public appearances. As modern sovereigns, they showed interest in all important issues, from the First World War and Congo, to sciences, cultural heritage, environment and the position of Belgium in the world. This exhibit conntained a lot of film footage and objects belonging to the federal heritage. Twenty five years of Albert and Elisabeth's lives are presented here.
We came out and it started to rain. We waited and waited for the bus. Fortunately the bus stop was covered. When it finally came, it turns out we were within walking distance of home.
We went back to rest awhile before dinner.
We passed through the Grand-Place on our way to eat and they had started laying the flowers
The restaurant we went to was quite nice (recommended by the hotel) and called "Scheltema".
While waiting for our dinner, four women sat down next to us. Turned out to be Americans visiting from Ramstein, Germany. Their husbands were either military or civilian's working at Ramstein AFB. On our other side sat a nice couple who did not speak English, but somehow we were able to communicate with a few words of French and gestures. Dinner was thoroughly enjoyable. I'm hiding my shirt because I had a wonderful chicken stew which I slopped on my shirt. Lots of butter, so the shirt may not survive. Ah well, one less thing to pack.
By the time we finished is was probably 9:00 PM.
We walked down the street to the Grand-Place again and it was beautiful. Lit up at night, it was spectacular and magical. The pictures do not do it justice.
We hung around the square for a while, then walked home and had a last glass of wine before bed.
Vowed to be up early to get our ticket to view the "Flower Carpet" from the City Hall balcony. And so, "To sleep to dream" of "Flower Carpets", or chocolate or something.
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