Brussels Capital of Belgium: Part 2

Previously on Weeser Writes, I explored a car-free Brussels on Day 1, visited the city center, and understood the horror of The Congo under King Leopold II. I learned that around 10 million were killed in The Congo. Check the previous post at:

https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2020/12/brussels-capital-of-belgium-part-1.html

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Today, Belgium, and particularly Brussels is a forward looking and modern society, and is the de facto capital of the European Union (EU) - Safeguarding peace and promoting development throughout the continent. This was vital for the continent after the devastation of WW2.  

Also today, the UK leaves the EU formally, after more than 4 years since the referendum. So far, the news coming out from the British Isles are positive, border crossing and goods transportation seems fine. Wishing both parties the best moving forward. 

As for the future plans for Scotland, another saga is brewing...  

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I planned the day as a relaxing one. (Belgium is a relaxing country anyway) 

I arrived at Europa (railway) Station at around 11am, only to find that the European Parliament opens at 1pm, while the media tours start at 2pm.  

"Station Europe"

The mere diversity of languages was enough to confuse anyone

Brussels Capital of Belgium: Part 1

Previously, I spent 2 days in the Medieval city of Bruges, and left for Brussels on a 10.45pm train:

https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2020/12/venice-of-north-canal-city-of-bruges-in.html

Brussels is my last stop before flying back to Glasgow. 

Thus complete my journey through Flanders

Brussels is the capital and largest city in Belgium, and the de facto capital of the European Union. It was September 2017, and Brexit discussions had started, and a deal was to be made in another year (by July 2018). In hindsight, writing this post on Christmas Day 2020, the interminably tedious UK-EU Brexit arrangement is at last, coming to an end. News came up that a deal has been struck today. Hopefully, some amicable consensus is reached, the countries involved would strive for peace and order. I think the world today is a gravely different place, having seen Trump, trade wars, Covid-19 and etc. 

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I arrived at Brussels Midi-Zuid Station at midday, after about 1 hour and 15 minutes on the train. I would stay at Midi Station Hotel for 2 nights. After having a quick lunch and storing my luggage at the hotel, I joined the 1.30pm walking tour. 

One of the hottest debate in this region is about who invented French Fries, yes the fried potatoes you eat at McDonald's. Apparently, French fries are not invented by the French, but Spanish Netherlands (present day Belgium) in the 1600's. The people here mostly speak French (85%) and Dutch (15%). It is possible that foreign armies during WWI mistook them as French, and it is easier to say "French Fries" rather than "Spanish Netherland fries". 

Tourist queueing for fries

There is a fantastic write-up on Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_fries#Belgium_and_the_Netherlands

Anyway, I think McD's fries with chilly source are still the best. 

In Brussels, you need to visit Julien. The Manneken Pis is a statue of a boy (Julien) peeing into a fountain. This bronze sculpture has been standing and peeing in Brussels since 1619! It describes the humour and independent thinking of the people of Brussels. 

Different outfits are designed for different occasions, for Julien

It was 17th of September, and being a Sunday, the whole city seems to be having a carnival in a party-mood. 

Chill and stay calm. Why so serious?