Today's highlight was an afternoon excursion to Antwerp. Only 45 mins from Brussels in Bri & Matt's car. Everything's closed on Sundays in Belgium, except the antique stores in Antwerp. But this is cool stuff. A hip furniture-shopper's dream! Belgium apparently lacks quite a bit of style (which I noticed coming from Brooklyn to Brussels), but Antwerp is one of the fashion capitols of Europe. So next time I'll have to come on a weekday!
Favorite attractions:
1) The Brabo fountain, showing Brabo with the severed hand of the giant, Druon, who plauged the city by demanding payment for entry, or chopping off your right hand. Brabo saved the day and chopped off Druon's hand and threw it. The fountain has water squirting from the severed wrist (to my right), and hand (at the tippy top about to get chucked by Brabo.) Gross! Antwerp means "throwing the hand."
2) Jenver tasting. Jenever is the spirit from whence gin was born. Oude Jenever is clear and tastes like a mild gin, and Jonge Jenever is golden and tastes like a mild whiskey. Invented in the 16th Century by a Dutch chemist and alchemist for medicinal purposes, and popularized in the 17th Century with the addition of juniper and improved distilling techniques. Have you tried this? It's great!
3) First glimpses of Rubens, who studied and worked in Antwerp. Affectionately called "P.P. Rubens" on a postcard I was tempted to buy. Here,"The Elevation of the Cross,"1610-1611, at The Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp.
I love that their founding myth has a giant. "Take that, Romulus and Remus."
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