Brussels

European Commissions Building

Brussels, Belgium is the European Capital. Within the European Quarter, all the important decisions are taken that affect the lives of people through out Europe, whether they live in Romania, Denmark, or Spain. The Schuman Square (heart of the commission buildings area) is to the European Union what the National Mall is to the USA or the Red Square in Moscow to Russia- but not really. I loved walking through this area and visiting each building to see what they had found important to have common among the European countries. I couldn't help but to wonder whether the men and women that make these decisions live amongst and through out all the parts of the city, or if they seclude themselves in certain neighborhoods as a part of "an elite".

"European Parliament"

Parc Du Cinquantenaire Jubelpark

Cinquamtenaire/ Jubelpark

The Royal Museum of Art and History

Similar to the Louvre this museum specializes in history: Egyptian mummies,  14m-long medieval tapestries and works of art from all over the world. My favorite exhibit was a World Problems Photography display- each photograph submitted by people from around the world that captured the truth to the problems that they live through each day. 

The Royal Museum of Art and History

Atomium at a Far

The construction of the nine metal balls in the shape of an atom is like Belgium's Eiffel Tower.  One of those things you have to see with our own eyes, and in the case of this landmark, you can go inside of it. 

Atomium

The Atomium represents an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times. Inside, you can move from ball to ball on moving staircases. It was built for the World Exhibition of 1958, when people still believed that atomic energy would save the world. I thought that it was really interesting to have this in the middle of northern Brussels. After we went through it and saw the models of each country building, I stepped outside and realized that still to this day the world meets there in their own uniquely designed buildings for the sharing of ideas, inventions, and technology. The Atomium simply sits in the middle as a reminder or symbol of the World Exhibiton. 

Within the Nucleus of the Atomium Overlooking the City

Thanksgiving Dinner

The closest thing we could find to an "American" Thanksgiving meal. Steak, chicken, potatoes, salad, and a roll. 

Brussels, Belgium

Thanksgiving Break was a time for pre-approved travel. The joy of a study abroad program: You ask everyone where they are traveling for Thanksgiving and this is what you hear in response, "I'm going to Prague" "We're thinking about Scotland, probably to Edinburgh" "Ireland" "Spain" "We were thinking north a little bit, Brussels and Amsterdam". I was lucky enough to tag along with a group going to Brussels and Amsterdam for the holiday. We left London on the  morning of the 24th of November and traveled by train. I had always wanted to take the Chunnel to Europe's main land and was bummed that we hadn't traveled under the English Channel when we went to France. This was my time to experience it. These travels to Brussels and Amsterdam was also a good preparation for the travels I had planned for after the study abroad ended. 

 

The first night in Brussels, Belgium we went to the Grand Place Grotte Market in the middle of the the square next to the City Town Hall. All the Christmas decor lined the square and surrounding markets. We found a pub-like restaurant to eat dinner at and the window next to our table was straight across from the glorious City Hall building. To our surprise while we were eating our Belgium soup and fries we were able to watch the light show that would be projected up onto the building during the holiday season. It was great- dinner and a show. 

City Hall from the 15th Century

Lit Up In Holiday Design  

Manneken Pis

Brussels has a sense of pride for the small statue of a peeing boy, Manneken Pis, and see it as an ideal national symbol for a country that is so very small and absurd. There were a few different stories that explained how this statue came about. One story was during the origination time of world exhibitions that would take a couple months involving all the people of Brussels to host. The City Mayor had lost his youngest son in the commotion of booths and presentations one day. All the people of the city searched for the little boy and finally after a few days someone found him with out any clothes on just watering the nearest wall with his pee. The statue could represent the Mayor's son or perhaps the artist had intended it to be a different little boy.

There was a lot of hype about the statue, so I had imagined it to be larger. It was indeed the size of a small child.

Belgium Waffles

Words can't describe the fantastic, mouth watering taste of Belgium waffles.  In the middle of the waffle dough there is a layer of crystalized sugar. The simple powdered sugar covered waffle had me wanting one every day for breakfast. 

Abbey Road

Everyone Has to Leave Their Mark

The English rock band that is considered to be the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in popular music has some great historic sites in England. The Beatles' legend lives on everywhere in this country. Everyone that visits or even walks past the recording studio that the Beatles worked in have to sign the wall. I am not a die hard fan, like some of my friends in the program, but I can appreciate a little "Let it Be" once in a while. 

Beatles 11th Studio Album Cover Picture

Abbey Road has become a famous road that constantly has tourists pausing traffic so that they can snap a picture similar to the Beatles Album Cover. Yes, we did this as well. Sorry Bus 189. 

2010 Abbey Road- Same Spot Today

London Central Mosque

My Arabic Sisters and I

As a group we went to the London Central Mosque (also known as the Islamic Cultural Center). There are about 1,500 mosques in Great Britain and this one is one of the largest. Islam is a leading religion in London, closely trailing behind if not almost equal to Christianity. 

When we entered the Great Hall we had to remove our shoes the same way that Moses did in honor and respect to God. The current London Administrator is good friends with one of the men that takes groups through the Mosque, so we were able to have a special visit and tour with him. He is a student of religion and Islam and spoke to us about the Islamic belief in the acquisition of knowledge. Both spiritual and secular knowledge and a desired balance of both. He believes that the secular education you receive doesn't teach you morals and spiritual enlightening. I agree with this to a point, but feel lucky enough to say that my schooling intermixes both (how lucky am I). 

We had a question and answer panel with our friend and guide. My professor didn't hesitate and asked a sensitive question. He asked, "We hear a lot in the media about the suppression of women in the Islamic culture; what exactly are the roles of men and women in Islam?" It was interesting to hear the answer. Our friend said that the biggest misconception of Islam is the treatment of women. He explained that the suppression of women that happens around the world is the culture that is decadent in tribal respect, not in accordance to the Islamic teachings and faith. He quoted Muhammad in saying that wives and daughters are the best of men. He also told us the story of how Muhammad was married to quite a wonderful women that A) picked him to be her husband (not only did she have the freedom to select him, she was the one who proposed) and B) she had all control of her own money and business ventures (she actually hired him and that's how they originally met). It was an interesting story and I enjoyed hearing his insights and opinions. 

While we were in the Great Hall, it was time for the 3rd prayer of the day. Normally you can't be in there, but for some reason he let us sit in and watch. My professors were really excited that we got to the opportunity to see it. The visit to the Mosque opened up my understanding to Islam in new ways, and I'm glad I was able to take that visit. 

The Golden Dome of the Mosque