I’ve always been puzzled by the fascination with Mannekin Pis. Why do people flock to see a bronze statue of a young boy urinating into a fountain? In grade school, I first learned about Mannekin Pis when a neighborhood boy showed a miniature statue to a group of giggling girls. His parents had picked it […]
Mannekin Pis: A Little Statue with a Big Following Read More »
Lately, I feel as if the world is traveling back in time. Sometimes that can be good, like when your time machine takes you to the Belgian province of Limburg. Turn your clock back and see what rural life looked like in Flanders hundreds of years ago. If you are a history buff or just
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I thought I knew the regions of France fairly well, but the Opal Coast was new to me. I had never heard of it. Well, I’d heard of Dunkirk and Calais, but knew little about them and nothing about the two cliffs that make the area famous. The Opal Coast, or Côte d’Opale, extends over
The Opal Coast – One of France’s Lesser-Known Jewels Read More »
There are five things you HAVE to try when traveling to Belgium. We’ll keep it short and sweet. CHOCOLATE: Okay, if you’re like me, when you think of Belgium, you think of chocolate. After nearly five years of living here, I may never be able to eat American chocolate again. And that’s not a bad
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Belgium is bursting into color with the bluebells of Hallerbos.
Belgium in Bloom with Bluebells! Read More »
Seven Million Reasons to Visit the Netherlands When you think of the Netherlands, what come to mind? For me, it’s cheese, wooden clogs [silly, I know] and tulips. When I think of tulips, Keukenhof comes to mind. Keukenhof has been called the world’s most beautiful spring garden, and it’s not an exaggeration. Seven million spring-flowering
Calling All Tulip Lovers Read More »
There’s something magical about Europe during the Christmas season. Across the continent, charming holiday markets have sprung up, beckoning visitors with lights, homemade crafts, delicious regional cuisine and more. I can already taste the mulled wine and smell the gingerbread! And my credit card is ready for a workout, which I’ll probably need after all
Brussels Christmas Market Is Open Read More »
It’s going to be a grueling week to get things done in Belgium. The country is facing three days of across-the-board labor actions. What does that mean for you? If you are in Belgium or coming here, it means a lot! November Strike Starting at 10 p.m. tonight, Sunday, November 23, train service will be
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The beauty of the area where I live in Belgium never ceases to amaze me. Orchards pop with color in the spring. In the summer there is an abundance of apples, cherries, grapes, peaches, pears, and plums. In my garden, more than a hundred clusters of grapes hang above my head on the covered terrace.
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When you think of Belgian food, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Belgian waffles! It’s a popular food that you’ll find with street vendors, in cafes and even in fine restaurants. What is this national obsession with the waffle? I first noticed it when I started working in Brussels. In the U.S.,
The Wonderful Waffle Read More »
