Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Gent festival
07/18/09 Weather was supposed to be wet so I took train to Gent. As it turned out the weather was great for the midsummer festival of the city.
I did not know what I was getting into. 3rd largest festival in Europe averaging 250,000 visitors per day. The whole old town was turned over to the fest, with a 2 hour parade, buskers, lots of music stages, food, drink, rides, brass bands, brassy blondes, brasseries, violin/cello duo, another folky band including an English horn, cross dressing men about, Belgian feminist drum troupe, African Christian soka (?) band, line dance lessons (not for me – no international incidents are permitted), traditional folk featuring an accordian, kazoo virtuosos, dogs, acrobats, stilt walkers, and more.
The brotherhood of Emperor Charles sells pieces of black and white rope looped into hangman noose – gotta ask about that. There is theatre, jazz fest, art, second hand street market, and more. Gent city has 250,000 population and double that including suburbs. It has rail, light rail/tram, bus, (tour) boats and what looks like 4x the commercial area of Mpls. I assume there is no “Gent-dale” or Mall of Belgium to drain the city.
The architecture is similar to Bruges, Amsterdam, Brussels, as you may expect. Other than walking about and taking in the festival, I only did one touristy thing – went into St. Bavos Cathedral; saw a Rubens but did not pay the 3 E to go into see a masterpiece painting by van Eck. Maybe next time I'll do that and head down into the crypt and look at other sights. The festival goes on for 10 days – Tuesday is the national holiday – maybe I'll go there for that – will see if I can interpret the schedule of events. Last train comes back at 10:15 so late night events are out.
Some will be interested to know that: “The city promotes a meat-free day on Thursdays called Veggiedag[4][5], with vegetarian-only food in public canteens for civil servants and elected concillors, soon in all schools, and promotion of vegetarian eating options in town (through the distribution of "veggie street maps"). This campaign is linked to the recognition of the detrimental environmental effects of meat production, which the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization has established to represent nearly one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions.”
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
1st Weekend in Belgium
July 11, 2009 Saturday. Up early and wrote on project ideas. Adjusted cycle and took it out. Got tires filled at a bike shop. Only one possible used bike there at 130e – not a road bike. The one I've got is not comfortable ride but much faster than walking. And free. 12 – 15 km around town and to the north and east. Found the Aldi if I want it, just out of town. Of course, at maximum distance out, the rain began and I got damp on the way back.
After lunch I took train to B and went the Bozar (beaux artes) museum and looked at shows by Sophie Calle (Fr) and Jan de Cock (Be). Her's were mainly photos telling stories – a performance art record: Burying her mom's jewelry in Artic. Video of cross-US road trip. Installation and discussion in an NYC phone booth. A PI's photos and reports on following her 2x, 20 years apart. A trans siberian RR trip. Sending her bed to an unhappy artist in Ca. - he was happier.
De Cock's was room after room of assembled formica type boxes, repeated photos (Kosovo damage, Eastman mansion in NY, a FLW house, skyscrapers in former Yugoslavia ), dribbled paint, sculptures of archers. Her's more immediately appealing and his causes one to ponder meaning and art... But who needs all that, huh?
Then to Brosella festival in Brussels Park where world's fair of 1958 was held. Free. Damp to wet. Heard a world music band from here consisting of people from Armenia, Turkey, elsewhere in middle east, etc. Then a duo (guitar, bass) consisting of a bassist (---- Thompson) who founded the Pentangle, played with John McLaughlin in the late 60s, Alex Koerner, etc. and a guitarist-singer of the same era but less august history. High quality folk songs – the first was about a man who disappeared in the troubled waters of Lake Champlain. Then finally, a Swedish folk singer and band with near yodels piercing the air from time to time. Going there, I missed a jazz performance here in the Zottegem park this evening.
Sunday The church bells ring now for the 11 am services. There is a carrillion in the main church at town square that plays tunes and a performance on the bells is set for later in the month. Gave the cycle another go this a.m. for 15 km in the damp. See photo of the beast. To B and IF office where I catch up on 90 emails and do some research. Of course, the weather turns for the better while I am in the office. Back to Brosella festival for 3 more hours of free jazz including world music, django inspired guitars, something verging on fusion/world music mix, and a post-bop modern style group. 7 groups in the 5 or 6 hours of free music - yeah! And yes, kriek beer - a lambic 3.2 beer based on cherry juice - kinda like an unsweetened cherry soda with little fizz. Quite refreshing.
Days 2, 3
Slept until 10:30 am and took the 11:46 to BC. Checked email and got started on writing for the IF project. Met Els DeClercq, development, project connections staff. Heavy rain shower at 2 pm. Took time to write up notes from SBA.
When I got to Z I went to the city park and heard a blues band, Los Hombres Amplificato, playing to a mix of young and old. Pretty good stuff.
July 10 - Fridays are work at home day at IF and I decided to take most of the day for myself. Up early. A walk around town and then shopping at bakery, grocery and vege/fruit shop.
Walked uphill to the folklore museum and a park. A bit of rain and then down hill to the train station where I bought a train card for a month. Came back for lunch here and then watched the TDF – Spain and Andorra. And went to work on the project writing and reading. Tried with dinner: Kasteel Triple - yum!
Read materials from IF library, worked on project materials and read the EU disabilities directive and UN materials. Reviewed Weissbrodt's paper on Intl human rights law.
Hugo came over with mountain bike!
Quite light still at 9:10 pm, so I headed out on the town. Another concert at the Park - Die Gipfelfreunde, trio with lederhosen, braces, guitar, accordian, keyboards, sax. Polkas and “Something Crazy Like I Love You.”
Wandered about town some more and stopped downstairs at de Hellekapelle (Hell's chapel), punk rock sound track (Sex Pistols, etc.) so donw my alley. Tried the Andrean Brouwer Finest Dark, a relatively local brew. Lots of high mouth feel. Home at 10:35 – finally dark at 10:50.
