A Short but Lovely Visit to Brussels

Saturday September 18, 2010

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Fall is in the Air

After 5 days of the conference, I boarded the Thalys train to Brussels to spend time with my BFF, Karyn and her husband.  I met them in Tokyo and they now live in Brussels.  I have not been to Brussels in over 15 years so was looking forward to seeing the city again but was most excited about catching up with Karyn. 

The trip to Brussels was so easy and fast.  I luv the high speed trains of Europe.  I was able to get a roundtrip ticket in first class for 80 euros and change!  And they are luxurious.  Although they are not "prompt" like in Japan, the seats are more comfortable, the Internet is free, and they serve a meal at no charge! I loved train travel in Japan but it was expensive.

It took less than 2 hours for me to arrive in Brussels and met Karyn at the platform.  She lives a 15 minute walk from the station in a secure and enclosed complex.  The site used to be home to Brussels Veterinary Hospital.  The buildings are a historic site and have been converted to beautiful lofts.  Upon entering the gates, I felt like I was entering a private chateau!  The place is beautiful and quite.  The loft she shares with her husband Peter is gorgeous and decorated with the artwork and memories of places they have visited.

The "compound" of Karyn and Peter's loft.  It really feels like a Chateau

After chatting and unpacking, we decided to head towards the Grand Place which is now a Unesco World Heritage Site.  It is as beautiful and full of tourists as it was years ago when I used to frequently travel to Brussels.  While walking around the narrow cobble streets surrounding the Grand Place, Karyn took me to some of her favorite stores. 

The first store we stopped at was Dandoy.  Dandoy is a famous biscuit shop in Europe and we went to the original store that is still exists.  It's quite a quaint store and I bought some Speculaas - a biscuit that is Belgian and created by Dandoy, as gifts.

The next stop was Oliviers and Co, a very famous olive oil company from Provence in France where I bought a fabulous extra virgin olive oil and a very special white truffle infused olive oil.  I can't wait to make salads and perhaps a special risotto with the white truffle olive oil when I get back home. 

We then went to Gobelins Art, a store specializing in Flemish tapestry where I bought a beautiful bag and some matching accessories.  I was not planning on buying a bag, but since I gave away a lot of my old bags and needed to get an everyday bag, I'm very happy to find a bag that is unique and will remind me of shopping in Brussels with Karyn. 

Dandoy:  A very quaint Biscuit shop

Dandoy

Grand Place

After shopping, Karyn took me to her "old" neighborhood, which is where they lived previously before their assignment in Tokyo.  It's a lovely neighborhood and very Soho-ish.  After walking the neighborhood we stopped for a very good latte and continued our "catching up" session.  We then walked a bit more and headed back to her beautiful loft.  Peter came back from work and cooked some fab steak served with a fresh salad, potatoes and a beautiful bottle of red wine.   I had a wonderful, wonderful time and what a great way to complete the day.

I slept in the next day and for the first time since I've been in Europe I had uninterrupted sleep for over 8 hours.  After breakfast, Karyn and I continued to catch up on our lives and then we headed out to the Bozar building to catch the "Passage to Asia" exhibition.  The Bozar building was built by the famous Belgian architect Victor Horta right after WWI as the first cultural center for Europe.  It's quite a magnificent building.  The exhibition "Passage to Asia" is about the artifacts found along the Silk Road.  The exhibition consisted of artifacts that represented 2500 years of commercial and religious exchange between Asia and Europe.  I've always been fascinated by the Silk Road and just spoke about to another of my BFFs - Eunice as she just explored the Western China part of the Silk Road.  One day, I'd love to do the whole journey but given the situation of Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, I'm not sure it is something that is doable in my lifetime. 

We spent a good 3 hours there which was quite exhausting as there was so much information to absorb.  We then went for a  lunch/coffee break and decided to head towards the Grand Place again to check out the Opera House.  Unfortunately, it started raining a bit but not enough to stop us with our tour. 

The Opera House is gorgeous.  I've passed it several times years ago but never went inside.  Karyn is in the art business so I learn a lot when visiting cultural sites with her.  For example, I learned that the designs of the floor and the ceilings were done by 2 American artists.  The floor by Sol LeWitt and the ceiling by Sam Francis.  Modern art work in a classic building.  

Old and New

Inside the Opera House:  The art on the ceiling is by Sam Francis

That's me standing on the art work done by Sol LeWitt

We got back late in the afternoon, rested a bit and then Peter came home to cook us dinner again! And lucky me, because he is a GREAT cook.  Today's dinner was his special Nasi Goreng.  

Peter cooking dinner

Inside Karyn and Peter's beautiful loft

Peter's Nasi Goreng!

After another delightful dinner of delicious food and fun and stimulating discussions, it was time to turn in.  The next day, I left on the Thalys train back to Amsterdam.  So sad to leave as I'm going to really miss talking to Karyn and Peter and now Peter's cooking.  Although we stay in touch online it's just not the same.  But I do feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in Tokyo and the means to travel so that I have been able to make very special friends like Karyn and Peter.  I look forward to seeing them again soon hopefully in Malibu so I can reciprocate their generosity but if not, some where around the world.  

Karyn and Peter

Comments

[Meg]

Janet,

Your travels look so fascinating! I am jealous and I hope you had a wonderful time!

Say hello to Yuki-chan for me!

Meg

[Bart Bogaert]

Janet,

Glad you enjoyed a short visit in Belgium!

Keep traveling safely and posting your findings.

regards,

Bart

[Brendan Amorose]

It looks like you had a fun time visiting your friends in Belgium. Belgium is a place where everything is scenic, and every corner is filled with history and culture. Most European countries are like that, I guess. The pictures are great, and I love your friends' place. It's tiny and neat.