so, what's on dmentedboy blogger ? everything dmented about jxe's travels. here, there and everywhere.
hey roger,
so, we didn't get to meet before i left. i hope all is good. i have to tell you that i m so proud of myself. i have been wondering aimlessly for more than a week now and i haven't gotten loss ... yet. better still i managed to find the same place twice ! i m still found. hahaha. i know. i surprised myself. hey i did return from japan !
day 7 -
ok i arrived and i needed to take the tube.
silly moments:
1. at the subway, when the tube arrived, i was waiting for the door to automatically open. a guy jumped forward, pushed the button, rolled his eyes and walked into the tube. urgh ! and how was i suppose to know ?
rachael gave me a fantastic guide to follow around the city. i followed it like a GPS satellite. was great. went to every place she mentioned and when she wrote 'you will like it'... i arrived with a big grin on my face :)
mmm waffles and chocolate everywhere. unfortunately i m not a big fan of chocolate. even though i was tempted to buy some just because its belgium chocolate. i resisted. but had my share of waffles. yummy.
(chocolates - look they even come with a CD now)
the grand place was impressive both day and night. again. crowded with people and not very good photo op.
(grand place - day)
(grand place - night)
architecture moment:-
i guess the most impressive was the palais de justice. pure monument. the size of it is astonishing. the detaling, the ionic and corinthian columns fell in place, unlike some greek's houses in sydney. this made me wonder if belgium was once a communist country because the buildings here are all so monumental. someone google it and leave me a comment ok.
(palais de justice)
exploring this city is really exciting. every corner looks interesting and almost wants to draw you into it.
(brussels streetscape)
musical moment:-
and finally, i understood what falstaff beer is when sheryl crow sings it in 'a change will do you good' ! hah !
(random shots)
one thing i learned in this trip is that when you get really tired and need a place quiet and warm to rest, just walk into any church, sit on a bench and look like u belong. its dead quiet and people will just leave u in peace. this is when your ipod comes in handy.
drawbacks:-
1. anything looks remotely old and interesting that tourist would want to walk into, charge 5 euros for it ! urgh ! i m so not paying 5 euros to see a beer collection or some chocolate machine just so i can see the interior of a building.
2. i just cant seem to shake this cough. its getting fucking annoying. omfg. can i can i say fuck here ? fucking hell. fuck fuck fuck fuck. omfg i can say fuck in my own post. this is fucking awesome. from now onwards, my posts is so going to get so fucking interesting.
xxx. j.
hey phil,
so i m glad that you have decided to go on a trip to the states at the end of the year. its so much fun to be on the road and i m sure you will have a fantastic time. keep checking the posts. i will will give u places to go in the states.
also, before i left, i managed to buy 'the wreckers' CD from HMV for 5 bucks. its now keeping me company on my trip. woo hoo.
day 6 - jackets galore
the train ride to antwerp was interesting. it was only a 1 hour 15 minutes journey. had another interesting conversation with this chick. this time she spoke no english and i spoke no french. anyway, i managed to work out that she wanted to use my cell. she is cute, so i let her.
architecture momment:-
i arrived to what i thought was one of the most beautiful station ever. one big massive vault structure above me. let the pictures speak for themselves.
(antwerp station. simply amazing)
i kinda fall in love with this city almost instantly.
plus :-
1. dogs can read sign.
2. tits (porn) are everywhere
3. shopping is great. they have really nice jackets everywhere. the prices are transparent. they are all displayed at the window. no need to go in and check the price and get hassled by the shop assistant. infact even when you go into the shop, they leave u alone. if u need help, ask ! SYDNEY LEARN FROM THIS !
(caption this)
my first impression of this city was 'this is a jewish city'. they were everywhere, with them hats and funny sideburns. anyway cityscape is ...
reminiscence moment:
kuala lumpur in the 80s. just the feel, the smell, the look. seems dated.
was walking around randomly and saw this same chick that was in the on of the old church back in brugge. i think she is stalking me. if i see her again in another city, i am going to go confront her. and yes. she is cute.
(antwerp streetscape)
went into the modern museum. bernhard willhelm was displaying his work. great fashion designer. had to go check it out. glad i did. love the jackets. almost ripped them from the mannequin and become one meself.
(modern museum - bernhard willhelm: love them jackets)
although this town is fully historical. lots of old buildings, there are so many cool shops. did i mention before ... jackets everywhere ... great. if it wasn't because i have no room in my bag, also i m going to new york ('nice collective' - here i come !)and paris, i would have bought 5 jackets already. i was told that the rent for these old shops are between 20,000 - 50,000 euros per month and they all run at a loss. that is why most of the shops are chain store which have other stores to recuperate the losses.
(jackets everywhere: prices are all transparent)
(random shots - look which flag is flying high !)
the lows ?
1. bad weather - windy and chilly
2. still can't shake my cough. although my nose is now clear. yippee.
3. the main square is again crowded with tourist. not very good photo op.
(main square)
again, lots of old buildings and churches. similar style.
xxx. j.
