It had been long time to visit such a new country, Belgium which was famous for a beer.
On the border, there were many Tobacco shops, because there was less tax for tobacco in Belgium than in France.
I went to Belgium’s capital, Brussels.
I heard there is a famous statue in the center. But it was really hard to find. The reason is….
It was too small!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was disappointed… “What? Is this small thing rand mark?.. ”
There are several legends behind this statue, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen, in Ransbeke (now Neder-Over-Heembeek). The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung the basket in a tree to encourage them. From there, the boy urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.
Another legend states that in the 14th century, Brussels was under siege by a foreign power. The city had held its ground for some time, so the attackers conceived of a plan to place explosive charges at the city walls. A little boy named Julianske happened to be spying on them as they were preparing. He urinated on the burning fuse and thus saved the city. There was at the time (middle of the 15th century, perhaps as early as 1388) a similar statue made of stone. The statue was stolen several times.
The center
It is said Belgium waffle is famous.
Although I am a vegan, I ordered.
It was 1.8 Euros. The taste was good.
I’ve realized many local people eating it without any topping. Only waffle was 1 Euro
Some unique building
It was around the noon, but I was really wondering how come so many people can run at week day.
Since the south of Belgium, I could see the bicycle path easily. It was interesting that the pedestrian didn’t walk on a bicycle’s path.
I stopped at Leuven’s center, because it looked a nice city. There was some old interesting building.
I thought it was a church.
But actually it was a city hall.
The statues on a building presented an old great man such as doctors, poets, politicians, and so on at that time.
I heard that Leuven has a famous university in Belgium which is better than the capital one.
I wanted to try Belgium beer, so I went some bar. And they brought the book for an order. WoW! I tried to study a little bit and gave up. I asked a server which beer is a traditional Belgian beer which I cannot buy in other country.
And he gave me this special beer which was 8 % for 5 Euros. I thought it was the best beer in the world! Hahahaha.
I could not see many people cycling at the south of Belgium. So, I was shocked when I came to the center of Leuven. So many people cycling passed in the center. I felt like I was in a movie. I loved their way to treat bike! It was totally different from Italian bicycle’s culture.
In Italy many of cyclists I’ve seen had very expensive bicycle, gears, and clothes. But here everybody had a simple bicycle and didn’t wear any special clothes. I loved more Belgian way!!!
There were so many bicycles ever! What a fantastic world!
It seemed they need more parking lot.
Interesting machine; Did I see this one before?
Today I would meet some special person. I’ve contacted to some Belgium guy since Africa trip.
His name is Jan. He bought Brooks saddle for 5 Euros. What? Actually it is 100 Euros. The bicycle shop kept a new saddle over 10 years (it seemed) and maybe the owner didn’t want to keep anymore.
It was a small size, so it was a big for him. He gave me it as a gift. Thanks!
The problem was I could not take out my seat post!!! IT WAS STUCK STRONGLY EVER. I watched some youtube about how to remove. I tried to put hot water. Nothing. I put oil and lubricant. Nothing. Someone said I had to do it for a week. I put lots of oil and lubricant between a seatpost and frame. If I cycle, there would be vibration and the oil would go to the bottom. Then I could remove, I guessed. Let’s have the hope!
Jan fixed many things for my bicycle! Thanks!
Belgian beers; I thought the beer I had in Leuven was much better. I showed Jan the picture of the beer I drank in Leuven. He said he had never seen it. Oh!! It meant I succeed to find a special Belgian beer.
I could not stay longer because of shcengen visa. At the day I left he cycled with me in the morning. The north of Belgium looked different from the south of Belgium. In the north, I could see many cyclists, the road was much clean and organized, and people speak Dutch. In the south, the road is bumpy and unorganized, not many people cycle, and people speak French.
I could see in the north of Belgium many old people also enjoyed cycling.
With Jan
It was very hilly from the border to the central Belgium. But since his town, the road was a flat.
Hello little cute boy 🙂
I was interested to see there were many bicycles in the kindergarten. It made me to understand why so many people loving cycling in the northern Belgium.
Although Belgium is a small country, I could not have much time to understand their culture. But I really liked to see every small things of their culture.
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Route
Days in Belgium = 4 Days
Distance of cycling in Belgium = 215.5 km // 134.69 mi
Cities I stayed in Belgium = 2 Cities
Brussels, Zohoven
Expenditure in Belgium = $ 16.1 (€11.5)
(€1 = $1.4 )
[14/09/01~09/04 (D+1100)]
