Touche pas a mon pays

What with it having just passed Belgian National Day, I thought I should be fair and list some of the things I like about Brussels. Here goes:

1. It is close to Antwerp: I am not being facetious here (OK, maybe a bit) but Antwerp is an amazing city. The shopping is fantastic, lots of quirky boutiques.
2. Pierre Marcolini: I have seen the man in the flesh. I worship at his altar.
3. Cafe Modèle: Our new favourite brunch place.
4. Art Deco.
5. The generous sprinkling of bank holidays.
6. The way the place closes down “de quinze à quinze“.
7. The cake shop up the road from work that shall remain nameless. And tempting.

That’s all for now.

Summer time and the living is…easy?

I must admit, I had forgotten how nice a hot summer in Brussels can be. With the excitement of the World Cup almost over (Spain all the way), it is easier than ever to see just how empty the city has become over the last two weeks.

Ever since the Belgian schools finished a couple of weeks ago, our quartier has been very quiet. A huge chunk of people have gone back to Morocco and other parts of Africa to catch up with family and friends.

All this means the metro is weirdly empty and I can walk to the metro after work without a jacket.

The other thing that characterises a good summer is the opening of BBQ season. Having a nice back garden, Mr B and I have hosted a few already. Last night, a serious summer storm blew in, casting away a friend’s patio umbrella and bringing the action indoors. Somehow it ended up in a bar in Uccle and a taxi ride home with a friend as the birds were singing. It was beautiful.