Plaisirs d'hiver à la portugaise

Memories: In 2014, we were on holidays in Portugal at Cascais.

Two tickets written: "Cascais, where everything started and everything goes on" and "Lisabon and Sintra, Renaissance and megalomania"

On the 18th of Septembre, we were going to Lisabon.

On the 23th, to Sintra.

In both cases, the same guide was leading us.

At this time, 36 years old, she had an incredible optimisme to share. 

Her name, Mihaelia. She was speaking french, but knowing the difficulty to write in french, we decided to communicate in english. 

11th November

- Hi you 2 lovelies, I hope you are fine. My husband and I are comming to Belgium at the end of the month and l will love to see you. The plan is 3 nights in Bruges and  3 other nights in Brussel. We  arrive on 27th of november. If  you  have  time  for  us  it  will  be  great  to  have  lunch  or  dinner  or something like this. Hope  to  see  you  soon. Hugs, Mihaela.

That was the message I received the 11th of novembre.

A small flash-back is needed. 

• "Cascais, le coucher de soleil de l'Europe"
• "Lisbonne et Sintra, Renaissance et folie des grandeurs".

In january 2015, I published the followup "The white armchair"", taking place in the Algarve at Albufeira, "Do you want another life?" which is hammpening in Cascais environment.

I did translate it in a "googlie way" in  english. 

In the last chapter is appeaing this sentence which make te bound with our guide:

- Your bankruptcy, José, I must admit, I did discover it with the help of Joao. Your love, you did maintain too well hidden. I have felt it the day you dare kiss me. Today we are going to have a little girl. We decided to call her Mihaela. She is the survivor of another life accident. Our lives are marked and build by a series of accidents, incidents and various misunderstandings".

Back in this november 2016 and my answer was:

- Hi Mihaela, What a nice idea to call us about your visit in Belgium and specially in Brussels.  It's very nice to think about us.  It will be enjoyable to see you of course.  Can you confirm us when you'll be in Brussels to plan a dinner.  I can also, during this time, be your guide in the town. Give us more information and we'll arrange a meeting according your visit.  

- On Sunday 27.11, we arrive in Brussel but we take the train to Bruges and stay there for 3 nights. We return to Brussel 30.11 and stay as well for 3 nights. We have no setteled plans about the trip,  just relax and enjoy. A local guide is very welcome indeed.

Some intermediate mails and finaly the mine  

- This morning, the day before your travel, I have made my jogging in the city of Brussels to prepare your trip. You are coming in a good period with "Plaisirs d'hiver". I have asked a few tourist information. I'm ready, waiting your visite.

- We just got home and we'll start packing at once. Perfect plans. Thank you so much  for your kindness and patience. My husband speaks french as well so we are going to practice a lot with you. I can't believe that finally, we'll get to Belgium.

27th Decembre

- Finally we got to the hotel in Bruges. We are in the center of the city and is so easy to walk everywhere. It's sooo flat!

- Yes, it's the speciality what you can find in Bruges is partially in this article. It's a small town, quite flat and with natural channels. Speaking english is better than french. 

28th Decembre

- It is funny,  after 2 glasses of hot wine I feel that I understand better the flemish. Because is monday part of the monuments are closed today. So we took the train to Gand and walk around the old town, did some window shpopping and now we are back at the hotel. I took some pictures , most of them with the early morning light.  Amazing! Of course more hot wine because in the train and everywhere, the info is in Flemish. But we get there. Tomorrow is Bruges. 

- Gand une autre ville flamande qui n'a rien d'un gant de velours

29th Decembre 

 - Today was the day to visit the town of Bruges and do some shopping. We climbed the tower and visit the Town museum and enter in 2 churches and dozen of shops. Out for dinner and some hot wine. By the way I quit smoking and I start drinking..and eating. Feel so good.

- You leave smoking....!!! Did Belgium this miracle or is it a special flemish day? You are starting drinking and eating as a replacement...  I'm afraid of the result....

30th Decembre

- Hi you. We are at the hotel. We will wait for you in the lobby. See you very soon!

15:00, exactly as scheduled, the aventure and the match of the "tird type"was beginning by car.

The sun and the cold are in in the "rendez-vous".

This time, I'm the guide. 

Direction the north, end the Atomium.

A stop before the King home rapidly avoided bu the police and a nearby review of the "Royal claw", the japanese tower tour and the chinese house.

Photos under the Atomium bowls.

Recall of the 1958 Expo, "Iron ball" and the its 50th anniversary with the "Belgique joyeuse".

Another 50th anniversary at the Cinquantenaire with an overview of "An avenue not like the others". 

The European quarter:  On the left, the Council, on the right, the Commission.

Remembering of the known portugais, José Manuel Durão Barroso whose in 2002, his principal goal was to leave the portugese economic and he took the Commission presidency.

Nowadays, money has called him in another function in the Goldman Sachs bank.

Then the crowded Law street which at the end, on the left, the Brussels park were in 1830 the belgian revolution occured against King Orange of the Netherlands and on the right, the Parliement.

Turning on left, the other King palace. Then on the center of Royal place, Godefroid de Bouillon, your "big friend", Mihaelia.

The Sablon, small and big place with the best known pastry and where the it's well to be seen in the public mind.

Finaly, down to the city center to find out a parking for a walk by foot.

The evening is already falling and the lights of "Plaisirs d'hiver" marvel you, Mihaelia and your husband, Nulo.

Sainte Catherine place, Brouckère place with the 120 years old Métropole hotel. 

The troubling habits of the pedestrian Anspack avenue, the Bourse, the Monnaie with in front the ice-skating. 

L’Îlot sacré and Toone VIIIème puppet theater, The Queen Galery with the fashioned shops and arcades.

Finally Grand-Place, which was closed by controled fences. 

The choc of  the "Grand-Place as a baroque theatre",

The high fit tree, the creche, the gilded houses, confrontating Albe Duke in Portugal and Belgium massacres and stories during the Inquisition.

The Charles Quint's joyful entrance of Charles Quint story remaked every years at the Ommegang celebration.

Meanwhile, the daylynews informed us that the belgian beer is entering in the cultural and immaterial Patrimoine of humanity of UNESCO.

Back to the hotel... and "back at home" for my wife and me.

Brussels, I'm not only living in this town.

I'm also going everywhere by foot or by bicycle.

I did describe a few communes like Schaerbeek, Molenbeek and mine, Evere. Sprout to be Brusselers. 

A lot of my articles are related with Belgium.

This country, is a small one. An area of about the third partition of Portugal. 

1st Decembre 

- Today was a full day. I took a lot of pictures, from buildings to trash bins. The little statue was dressed with a condom made of wool, world day of fight against sida. Did the statue of Godfredo of Bulhoes (Portuguese version of the name). Did the art museum but just the permanent collection. Did the Royal palace and the Park. Did the shopping street. The cathedral. By Night the grand Plaza and the videomapping near us. I think I am tired.

- You are genious. You are meriting a rest tomorrow. Make it cool.  I still hope to recover you in one piece. I remember you said that you prefer the old paintings but there is still a missing aspect of Brussels in them: the surrealism, the way Belgian people are thinking.  

"World mysteries" of Magritte is in his museum in front of Godfredo of Bulhoes

Decembre 2

The evening was begining at my home. A dinner in a restaurant "Hot ahead" completed it. A way to know a bit more of each other. 

 

3rd Decembre 

- First, thank you so much for the lovely evening. Felt so good . The hangover this morning was big and strong. 

(click on the image)

Conclusions:

-  Brussels is a small laboratory of Europe.

If Europe is collapsing, we are plunging in the same hole.

So hereafter two links which are merged sometime when there are apparently no reason to fetch them together: one for Portugal and one for us.

The common point: money.

(click once more on the image)

This time, is it not the time to tell us what you have learned in Belgium, what were your emotionnal discoveries, what were memories that will remain in your mind about what you have seen? What are the differences between all those 3 towns, Bruges, Gand & Brussels and why you did choice them and not other belgian towns?  

 

As a french lesson, may I propose a karaoke? 

Benabar, is a french singer who knows Brussels

Je n'avais pas de cadeau Pour t'offrir à Noël J'en voulais un très beau J'ai pensé à Bruxelles Offrir une ville c'est vaniteux Je le reconnais mais je m'en fous Parce que c'est quand même mieux Que de rien offrir du tout Tu te serais contentée D'un cadeau moins trompe-l’œil D'un livre ou d'un CD D'une paire de boucles d'oreille Mais dans une bague ou un collier Je te mets au défi De faire entrer sans les casser Saint-Jose et la Gare du Midi   Alors Bruxelles je te la donne Mais faut le dire à personne Ça menacerait la couronne Et j'ai donné ma parole d'homme Qui vaut ce qu'elle vaut   Il a fallu que le roi s'en mêle Il disait à court d'arguments "C'est ma capitale, bordel! Et ce n'est pas un présent" J'ai dit "Mon King, je vous arrête Bruxelles est un joyau Nous sommes en période de fêtes C'est idéal comme cadeau" Il s'entêtait dans son refus Je l'ai d'ailleurs trouvé têtu   Il disait "C'est pas à toi Et tu peux pas l'offrir comme ça Bruxelles est aux Bruxellois" "C'est entendu" j'ai dit au roi "Mais ils n'en sauront rien Ce sera notre secret, mon cher souverain"   Alors Bruxelles je te la donne Mais faut le dire à personne Ça menacerait la couronne Et j'ai donné ma parole d'homme Qui vaut ce qu'elle vaut   "Moi qui suis roturier C'est mon seul titre de noblesse Je voudrais négocier Soyez cool votre Altesse" Le roi qui est un gentleman A étudié la question   "Comme c'est pour une dame Je vais te faire une proposition" "Bien entendu" m'a-t-il dit "Tout ça ne sort pas d'ici Mais en échange je veux Paris En dessous de quoi je gagne pas ma vie!" Sans hésiter j'ai répondu "C'est d'accord, marché conclu Avec vous, Messire Faire des affaires c'est un plaisir" Alors Bruxelles je te la donne Mais faut le dire à personne Ça menacerait la couronne Et j'ai donné ma parole d'homme Qui vaut ce qu'elle vaut

I did not have a present To offer you at Christmas I wanted a very beautiful I thought of Brussels To offer a city is vain I recognize it but I do not care Because it's still better Nothing to offer at all You would have been satisfied A less trompe-l'oeil gift From a book or a CD From a pair of earrings But in a ring or a necklace I challenge you To bring in without breaking them Saint-Jose and the Gare du Midi So Brussels I give it to you But you have to tell anyone It would threaten the crown And I gave my word of man Who is worth what it is worth It took the king to get involved He was saying short of arguments "It's my capital, mess! And it's not a present " I said "My King, I'm stopping you Brussels is a jewel We are in holiday season It's ideal as a gift " He stubbornly refused I found him stubborn He said, "It's not yours And you can not offer it like that Brussels is for Brussel men " "It's understood" I said to the king "But they will not know It will be our secret, my dear sovereign " So Brussels I give it to you But you have to tell anyone It would threaten the crown And I gave my word of man Who is worth what it is worth "I am a commoner This is my only title of nobility I would like to negotiate Be cool your Highness " The king who is a gentleman Studied the question "As it is for a lady I'll make you a proposal " "Of course," he told me "All that does not come out of here But in return I want Paris Below which I do not earn my life! " Without hesitation I replied "That's okay, deal concluded With you, Sir Doing business is a pleasure " So Brussels I give it to you But you have to tell anyone It would threaten the crown And I gave my word of man Who is worth what it is worth

 

This song is giving us another belgian point of view of mornachy.

There are a King and a Queen. But there are also Princes and Princesses.

One of our Prince is Laurent. A prince who's not liking to play his role and sometimes we have to remember who's he .

Yesterday, he was the subject of one of my preferred humorist, Alex Vizorek: .

He's knowing perfectly how belgian humour is practiced.

Do you remember what I said in the church just a few seconds after the photo I took and I introduced at the begining of this paper: "There are three things that are leadind the world: the power, the money end the sex".

It's always the case everywhere.

All those three ways are giving potentiels to the ones who understand the finality. But they have to be in accordance with what you are with your environment.

My paper could have been terminated here without the next coincidence.

You have to know that Belgians are also living and working everywhere in the world.

That's why there is a weekly emission  "Les Belges du bout du monde".

Last Sunday after were your going back home, the subject was Portugal, in Algarve more precisely.

It was the storry of a Belgian who was living near Portimao to revive the tradition of sardine cannery in the" The Saborea" factory existing since July 2015.

Algarve is remembering other memories and may be, a new back to the future.

There is mainly a life philosophy as conclusion: to do what you like to do and assume the positive and the negative aspects of it with enthousiasm like you demonstrated when we encountered.

Keep it like a treasure.

(click on the image) 

 

Eriofne, 

Portuguese quotations: You can choice in this list between them.

 

14 may 2017: Portugal with the winner Salvador Sobral of the European song contest