Memories – Streets of Brussels

Terror attacks are designed to create fear and to get attention. As I watch the horror unfold on TV in the aftermath of the bombings in Brussels, I cannot reconcile these images on the screen with my memories of this charming multi-cultural, multi-lingual city, full of unexpected sights and attractions.

It was November 2009 and my first visit to Brussels. It was also the onset of winter, with the occasional rain shower. I was there to attend a conference being held at the European Parliament, where my boss at the time, was speaking. Thanks to flight logistics, I got there a day early and could only get a flight back a day after everything was over. That gave me plenty of time to walk around the city, breathe it in, savour a breakfast of Belgian waffles (what else!) and taste the many flavored Belgian Beers.

Central Brussels is small and one can pretty much walk everywhere, and discover all kinds of interesting sights along the way. One cold, wet morning, armed with an old fashioned Nokia and a Sony Cybershot camera for company, I hit the streets.

I want to remember Brussels as I saw it, and not the way these images want me to. The photos of shell-shocked tourists, police cordons, death and destruction….that’s not the Brussels I want to remember. A small, friendly, hospitable city of great diversity and contrasts that started life as a fortress, then developed into a market square and eventually blossomed into the economic, political and social centre of the Flemish capital.

Fair warning: These photos were shot on a point-and-shoot and I am no artsy photographer.

Grand Palace, Brussels

Grand Palace

Everard ‘t Serclaes Statue. In 1356, a Brussels resident led efforts to reclaim the city after an attack by the Flemish. He succeeded and a monument bearing his likeness can now be found on the street near the Grand Place. Many tourists pause to rub the statue, with Serclaes’ body, an angel’s face, a dog’s face, and a shield getting the most attention. Touching the statue is said to bring luck.

Charles Buls, 19th century mayor of Brussels, and his dog

The plaque explaining who Charles Buls was

Unfortunately, this trip was in the days before I took my blogging seriously. Never mind, travel blogging. So, I don’t remember the names of most of the places. I’ll add them in the captions as and when I figure out what many of these places are.