Hey there peoples,
I have to make this one quick since I've got a timer staring me in the face from the measly Euro I had to put in this machine. Brian and I have now entered the home of Jean Claud Van Dam - Brussels, Belgium. I was not expecting much from this city. I don't know why, it's just one of those biases I can't exlpain. Actually, maybe it's from watching some of Van Dams recent quality cinema, but whatever the reason, I was wrong. This city is absolutley stunning. The architecture is a mixture of new skyscrapers which have no problem giving you the vertigo you're used to in large cities and old style palaces. There's a square here called Grand Place which simply took my breath away. This was all old style, with gothic and romanian carvings along every building. It was magnificent.
Now, you're probably thinking, "Architecture is all well and good, but you're straying from the important things. Sex, drugs and alcohol!" Now it's true that Brussels can't compare to Amsterdam on the sex and drugs market, I mean you can buy a woman and a joint in the same shop there. What these people take very seriously, however, is their chocolate and their beer drinking. Now, I assume that these passions don't mix well, but I'm Van Damed if I'm not going to find out for myself. (I know, enough with the stupid Van Dam jokes already. I'm sorry. I hang my head in shame :.-( )
Seriously, though, the chocolate here is so good that even I'm starting to think that it could be an alternative to sex. We went into this little specialty shop, Brian spoke this funny language which vaguely sounded familiar (ahh, the benifits of a French education through Grade school into grade 9, "Je mapel Markus!" Yeah! woohoo! that's it. I've got nothing left.) and then we ended up purchasing some of the tastiest morsels this Universe could possibly have to offer. It was grand.
Secondly, since the people here in Brussels take their drinking so seriously, the beer is dirt cheap. I mean like 1 euro dirt cheap. that's about $1.60 canadian, no taxes, no tip. I'm starting to like this place a lot.
Anyways, as you may remember from before, I'm on a limited time schedule here, so I must bid you adieu. I hope everything is going well for people and just in case you don't know, you can post questions or comments to these posts by clicking on the link under here that says "comment(0)". It may not be a 0 if someone has already posted a comment, but it's the thing in blue. Come on people, don't be shy. Ask away. Comment away. Let us know someone is reading this jumbled rambling!
Take it easy,
Markus
Posted by Markus at May 21, 2003 09:15 PMOk, so here's the obligatory comment, since you've been whining and shaming us Canadians with your awful sense of humour ~ ;) just jokes ~
Well, since the chocolate is so good, ahem, ahem... hint, HINT. ;)
Oh, and maybe get Glick to check over your French next time. heh, heh.
Hi, Brian!!
Van Damme... I was hoping to find out that Brussels was exactly how _I_ had dreamt it: Nothing but immense statues portraying Jean-Claude's finest moments (e.g., the time he did the splits for an ass-shot on two chairs... or the time he did the splits for an ass-shot on two pillars...)
Anyway, I'm really sorry I haven't kept up with posting -- I've only kept up with reading the posts since I'm technically in 7 courses. But you don't want to remember that courses exist, so that'll be the end of that. I'll get into better habits concerning this BLOG, and I hope the trip continues to kick ass. Later, guys, and we miss you too.
Monsieur Iglesias