The sadness of Belgium

We are back from our wonderful trip to Gent, Belgium. What a magnificent place that is, so full of history, immense buildings, intresting architecture, and, not less important, the places to eat, drink and enjoy the good things of life. 

If you ever want or need to taste how friench fries realy need to taste, buy yourself a Friet in Belgium.  Then you know what it should be, and also how it might be served :)

There is so much to tell about the 3 days we were in Belgium, so close snapped between the Nehterlands (I love the 'frlemmish' tongue!) and Germany, but a world of difference.

We (of course) did travel with the train, and when we came ant the main stations in Belgium, we were confrontated with the things that we know from the news. Belgium has problems, financial and more.  Hoemeless people everywhere, and the railway stations cold and unfriendly.  So much difference if you see the wealth, the shops and all at the stations in Germany and the Netherlands.
Also the houses, when you travel this way you see how miserable many of them are.

Here a picture of the beautiful architecture in the railway station of Gent/St Pieters.  The exception in my storry ;)

Understand me correctly, we had a wonderful trip, and Gent is a rich city. The (history) is well preserved and maintained, it is a LOVELY city, what can easily compare with Copenhagen, Cologne, Utrechtt, also the middle large cities in Europe.   But it is clear why there is so many written and told about the 'tears of belgium'. It is a country that might be a good example for the rich countries. We should be careful with what we have.
Gent, the city that was once Europe's most important trade center, in the 13th century.
The city with the St Baaf Kathedraal, in what the famoes painting from the brothers Van Eyk  resides.

The historical Belfort, the place from what out the wars and 'issuues' with other cities were settled. And what has a wonderful 'clock tower'.  Small stairs as well and a great view ...



The famous clock/c hurch bell St Roeland, that did announce the uproars in the citty




and on top (yes we were there... we are heroes ;).. the dragon, that should scare the opponents enough ...

Gent.. a city that is worth a visit very much!