Brussels - Part 2

Update on the coffee fiasco, they charged me for a kilo and gave me enough to make it up, odd they couldn't just give me the cash back, oh well.

“We don’t make fast food but we make good food as fast as we can!” is the saying on the menu at Le Schievelavabo (say that a few times fast!) a restaurant we like close by. The name means wonky sink, huh? Belgian slang for a person who has a face not symmetrical and who thinks they are more handsome/pretty than what they are. Anyway wonky or not the food is worth waiting for, one waiter in particular is friendly, others not so much. 

We took Linda there for lunch, had to sit inside since it was raining and windy. This time we tried their ribs, shared, huge plate including baked potato. Ribs were good but truly it is hard to beat the ones we make at home thanks to our friend Lorene, a high standard to beat for sure. Then we walked a bit to find some unique homes along the park. 

Dramatic!

I’ve been trying to get my head around the styles of architecture here, between Art Nouveaux and Art Deco and Arts and Crafts. 

Tile work and windows

Since Victor Horta was here in Brussels and did much of his work here it is mostly Nouveaux. 

Almost looks like a ship, but many buildings have rounded edges to them.

Look it up if you are interested, won’t bore you with it but all the styles are favourites of mine. In amongst the beautiful buildings are ones not so pretty, slabs of concrete that have nothing but function about them, same in every city.

We walked past trees that had huge, read massive nests in them, Linda said they were built by the green parakeets we see here and in Sevilla although we’ve never seen the nests in Spain. These nests are extremely large and one wonders what affect they have on the trees. Must be multi-generations in them, too big for just a mom and dad and kids. They squeak and fly over the apartments here and it was good to see where they roost. Tried for a picture but it wouldn’t have shown them properly.

There is a bulldog in the neighbourhood we see strutting along, he is remarkable because he carries with him a very mushy soccer ball and every day we see him that poor ball looks worse. The owner kicks at it while walking and it’s still in his mouth and he loves that. 

One evening/morning we locked ourselves in the apartment and it took some time and a flashlight to figure out how to get out. Good thing we had time and it wasn’t an emergency. The flashlight illuminated the door crack to find the locks. There is a panel with a key in it where we would normally put a key hole for seeing who is on the other side. Here it is an extra lock from the inside. Another new thing learned with no dire consequences. The elevator works, although it is a wooden box with no interior door and holds max three people. We are liking the uniqueness of this flat, it’s spaciousness, good natural light and Linda’s furnishings. 

To those in Madeira Park, I was sad to read of Penny Lang’s passing away, for many people in her music community as well of course. It was nice to read that she had a family celebration of her 74th birthday a couple of weeks before and died peacefully at home. She was a lovely and interesting lady, full of curiosity and joie de vivre. I am glad to have known her and Nancy for the short while I did, very much enjoyed the conversations at the Copper Sky or in the village. 

A treat day, the rain stopped so we planned to head downtown to see some famous sites and then I thought, what do we really like to do? You know it, outdoor food markets! So Bruce sourced a huge one for Sunday. That’s the thing about food markets, sometimes they have special hours and days. 

Instead of going downtown we stayed in the, oh, so, too comfortable neighbourhood and had lunch at an Italian restaurant. Now this place advertises itself as a pizzeria and it does pizzas but the Italian food we’ve had (been twice) is exceptional! Now why wouldn’t they market themselves that way? Perhaps to capture the more casual crowd, bigger market. Anyway, the fellow who has been our waiter, suspect is the owner, of the restaurant looks Fierce! Until he smiles and then all fears go away and we enjoy ourselves and the food. Not quite ready to go home yet and we stop off at the other favourite restaurant which advertises special coffees. Well it has been many, many moons that we’ve both had one so decided to order, Irish for me and Normandy for Bruce, yummy! The Normandy has Calvados in it, what is that anyway? Here you go https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvados well I guess we could call that dessert.

Saturday, last before we leave Brussels for Paris and we go for Greek food this time at Les Enfants du Piree, down the hill several blocks. We are located pretty much on top of a hill here but the slope is gentle so it’s okay, walking slowly we get to glance at all the architecture and doors. 

And this pretty alley

Now that may not sound too exciting to some of you but for me it’s a wonder, the ironwork and stained glass is beautiful. 

People feed the pigeons here with their sugar packets from their coffee! No wonder they seem more hyperactive than in other cities. Leftover bread which will be thrown out anyway is more common, probably not good for them either.

Linda took us by bus to the flea market called or at Place du jeu de balle, Marolles District. I was thinking we are more interested in food markets, was I wrong to "dis" or pre-conceive about this market! Yes, there was the usual junk but there were some very fine pieces of china, jewelry, and many other things. It was a wonder to behold really! After we went for a light lunch at a restaurant that bordered the market, pumpkin soup, sounds not so appetizing but it was good.

 

Flowers are pretty but not real

Linda then said we HAVE to see the Grand Palace, well so she walked us there, another long walk but, the stores on the streets were interesting to peer into, many antique shops and furniture stores. 

Town Hall 

The Grand Palace is actually a Grand square full of centuries old buildings, ornately trimmed in gold leaf with many statues and spires. Look it up if you are interested. Well, we’ve seen it anyway… 

The buses here have automatic ramps! Driver hits a button and the ramp eases it’s way out to the curb. You’ll think I’m “loco” finding the bus ramps more exciting than the Grand Palace but there you go.

Famous Painter, can't remember who, but liked the monkey!

August 9th and we’re on the road or rather rails again. Get on the train and we are fed! Airline type meal but it was good and much appreciated. We’ve found that the spots for wheelchairs are usually in first class which means better or at least some air conditioning but we’ve never been fed before complete with linen napkins. Arrive in Paris and a fellow has a signboard with Beverley written on it. Find the flat and Anne Marie welcomes us in. There is a courtyard garden that all the flats look down to. Flat itself is smaller than expected mainly because we won’t use the loft bedroom which is a child’s room. It has large wood beams framing the kitchen and two whole walls covered in books. Anyway Anne Marie showed me the closest local market, we settled in a bit and then went for a walk, found a restaurant for dinner and that was the day.

Paris, I've only been here overnight, remember the Lexi incident going into the bathroom plumbing? So now we've got a month to explore the city properly. 

Cheers, Bx2 and Lexi Cat