My Adventure In Belgium

Michaël Veremans

As many people know, I am from the lovely country of Belgium. I was born in the small city of Herentals in the Antwerp province and it was this place that I visited during the winter break. Belgium is a magical land where the cheese flows like water, the beer flows like cheese, and the Socialism flows like beer. It is a completely different culture than America of which I am proud to say I am a part. During the break I was able to rediscover with an enlightened mind exactly what defines Belgium. In particular, the Flemish people, my people.

The trip did not start out as all epic journeys do. I had fallen ill and so the 14-hour flight was horrific. Despite my illness, I was glad to have arrived in my homeland. The air outside of the airport was freezing cold, which made the search for our car in the massive parking structure all the more urgent. Once on the road we caught a sign reading “Welcome to Italy”; I was confused. We got to my Moemoe’s (grandmother) house after navigating the virtually traffic free roads, crossing the country from Brussels to the small town of Herentals.

Our first visit was to the town center to do some grocery shopping. This is the most historic part of the town, containing the church (Belgium is a Catholic country), the city hall, two old gates from when the town was enclosed with a wall, and a statue of a famous freedom fighter from Belgium’s revolution. We had coffee in a supermarket café. The shopping system is completely different there: people bring their own bags, buy only fresh meats, and tax is included in the price of the item. It was a new world into which I was immersed, but, needless to say, I had fun.

The scenery I found most astounding. We visited the historic cities of Brussels (the capital), Antwerp, and Brugge. Brussels is most notable for its beautiful town center, gold adorned roofs, and capital buildings of the Belgian parliament. There is also the statue of Manneken Pis, a young boy who is fabled to have put out a great fire in Brussels by urinating on it; this is kind of legend that can only be found in a drinking country. The city was freezing cold, along with the occasional snow, but warm soup and Gluhwein, or warm wine, fixed that problem.

The city of Antwerp is one of the most important cities in Europe. It was the biggest trading port of Northern Europe during the Renaissance, despite the fact that it is inland. Antwerp also sports Belgium’s biggest cathedral complete with a humongous pipe organ and even a crypt. We walked down the main street that looked almost like the 3^rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica; there were even a few McDonalds’ that I didn’t eat. We walked from the train station all the way to the harbor, which was overlooked by a castle/museum, but sadly, it was closed.

The next day we awoke early to visit the historic city of Brugge. Out first stop here was an ice sculpture expose. The carvings and complete structures of ice were as breathtaking as the room was freezing. Later I got to witness the canals that make Brugge the “Venice of the north” as well as the many ancient buildings surround the town center. There was also a parade moving through the town that sported a great, traditional style drumline. One thing I remember in specific is eating what is a truly unique Belgian meal: a Croque Monsieur Boum-Boum Special (grilled ham and cheese sandwich) with Bolognese sauce on it and two fried eggs atop that. Along with a nice amber beer, assorted greens, and fritjes (French fries). It was one of the best meals I have ever had.

That brings me to my next topic: BEER. The legal drinking age is age is 16. Needless to say, I immersed myself in Belgian culture during the New Years celebrations and found myself being accosted by an equally “cultural” Belgian. Worry not, I remember most of my “cultural” experience that night, so I wasn’t as Belgian as I could have been with a beer or two more.

I managed to learn a few words while I was there as well, particularly “Pintje Bier” which is how people order, you guessed it, beer. I also learned about real Belgian culture, the history of the region, and Democratic Socialism. There are many customs that are unique to the Flemish parts of Belgium that a traveler can find, but the most prominent tradition is uncommon kindness.