Monday, April 26, 2010
Pont Aven
After visiting many charming towns in Normandy, Gildas thought it was only fair to go on a tour of equally adorable villages bretons. I agreed. Welcome to Pont Aven and its river, mill and lovely stone architecture.
Best Frickin' Fries on Earth
I'd never considered the potato as an art form... neat, eh?
Here's a concept: the ultimate ode to the fry, or frite en français. Bruges is home to the fritmuseum, an entire museum dedicated to this culinary marvel. It's actually really interesting! You learn about the origins of the potato in South America (Peru, specifically) and its adventures being introduced to other cultures (Europe, the Americas, etc.), the different varieties and species (over 4000!) of potato, the evolution of the uses of the potato, potato farming, and the origin and transformation of the fry.
Fries are actually Belgian in origin, however when American soldiers were introduced to them in the two world wars, they didn't distinguish the people speaking French as being Belgian, thus the name "French Fry."
Best friterie in Belgium, and thus on Earth!
Here they are: the best fries I've ever had in my life!!!!
Here's a concept: the ultimate ode to the fry, or frite en français. Bruges is home to the fritmuseum, an entire museum dedicated to this culinary marvel. It's actually really interesting! You learn about the origins of the potato in South America (Peru, specifically) and its adventures being introduced to other cultures (Europe, the Americas, etc.), the different varieties and species (over 4000!) of potato, the evolution of the uses of the potato, potato farming, and the origin and transformation of the fry.
Fries are actually Belgian in origin, however when American soldiers were introduced to them in the two world wars, they didn't distinguish the people speaking French as being Belgian, thus the name "French Fry."
Best friterie in Belgium, and thus on Earth!
Here they are: the best fries I've ever had in my life!!!!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
All the Belgian Stereotypes
Chocolate, beer...
...comics...
...beer...
...fries, lace...
and waffles (gaufres).
...comics...
...beer...
...fries, lace...
and waffles (gaufres).
Benguine Living
This small community of beguine nuns lives in clean, white houses and has a very simple lifestyle. This peaceful commune is a silent sanctuary in the middle of Bruges.
Godshuizen
Taken directly from the Bruges tourism website (http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/toerisme/bezienswaardigheden/10musts.htm#6):
"Godshuizen are tiny villages within the city’s ramparts. That’s how these medieval residential courts are best described. Centuries ago they were built out of mortar and charity. Today their picturesque gardens, whitewashed façades and glorious silence are the city’s havens of peace par excellence."
Basically centuries ago someone thought it was a good idea to take care of the poor, sick and elderly. So, they built houses for them and the government took care of the up-keep. Over the years the government has continued to do this (because they have a government who cares about the poor, sick and elderly) and you can see these "social housing projects" that are not slums, not dumps and are only distinguishable because they are whitewashed. They've got my mark of respect.
Some of these are really old-- 1474 and 1480!!
"Godshuizen are tiny villages within the city’s ramparts. That’s how these medieval residential courts are best described. Centuries ago they were built out of mortar and charity. Today their picturesque gardens, whitewashed façades and glorious silence are the city’s havens of peace par excellence."
Basically centuries ago someone thought it was a good idea to take care of the poor, sick and elderly. So, they built houses for them and the government took care of the up-keep. Over the years the government has continued to do this (because they have a government who cares about the poor, sick and elderly) and you can see these "social housing projects" that are not slums, not dumps and are only distinguishable because they are whitewashed. They've got my mark of respect.
Some of these are really old-- 1474 and 1480!!
Canals of Bruges
The postcard town of Bruges is located in the Flanders region of Belgium and is nicknamed "The Venice of the North" (as are various other cities...). As you can see, its charming canals, quaint gingerbread architecture and green plant life create an ambiance of character and cuteness (as well as chocolate and museums) that attracts thousands of tourists each year.
Gaufre, anyone?
Vocabulary 101: gaufre = waffle
I love this photo.
Belgian waffles are the ones with the giant squares that catch all that yummy syrup, Nutella, berries or whatever you put on your waffles. FYI, locals in Belgium just eat them plain, or maybe with a dusting of powdered sugar, or for a splurge, chocolate. Only tourists eat the cream-n-berry-topped-chololate-drizzled gaufres.
I've got to say that I was disappointed by the gaufres. My mom's are way better and I'm not just saying that. The first one was hard to bite into, hard to chew and was basically like sweet cardboard. I was almost releived, thinking, "Good! Now I don't feel obligated to eat all those calories! I've had my gaufre, now I'm done." Ha. In the spirit of second chances, I purchased a second gaufre (two days later) and it was seriously better, so of course I had to get a third (the following day, of course) for statistical purposes. The third was more like the first (disappointing), so after gaufre #3 I was done.
Little pet peeve of mine: they're not "Belgium" waffles, they're "Belgian" waffles, Belgium being the noun and Belgian being the adjective. After all, we don't say France Fries (though for a while "we" weren't even saying French Fries...).
I love this photo.
Belgian waffles are the ones with the giant squares that catch all that yummy syrup, Nutella, berries or whatever you put on your waffles. FYI, locals in Belgium just eat them plain, or maybe with a dusting of powdered sugar, or for a splurge, chocolate. Only tourists eat the cream-n-berry-topped-chololate-drizzled gaufres.
I've got to say that I was disappointed by the gaufres. My mom's are way better and I'm not just saying that. The first one was hard to bite into, hard to chew and was basically like sweet cardboard. I was almost releived, thinking, "Good! Now I don't feel obligated to eat all those calories! I've had my gaufre, now I'm done." Ha. In the spirit of second chances, I purchased a second gaufre (two days later) and it was seriously better, so of course I had to get a third (the following day, of course) for statistical purposes. The third was more like the first (disappointing), so after gaufre #3 I was done.
Little pet peeve of mine: they're not "Belgium" waffles, they're "Belgian" waffles, Belgium being the noun and Belgian being the adjective. After all, we don't say France Fries (though for a while "we" weren't even saying French Fries...).
City of Chocolate
I'm not sure how many chocolate sculptures exist in Bruges at any one time, but I'm sure I didn't see them all. The time, effort and money put into these masterpieces is incredible. What happens to them after the display... not sure. Sold? Eaten? Melted and re-sculpted? Sent to Hershey?
This is rolled marzipan, not chocolate, but I didn't want to leave it out.
Go, bunny, go!
It's a jungle out there! A chocolate jungle!
Do you think Obama knows he's got an effigy in chocolate? What an honor!
Might be the largest and heaviest chocolate egg on Earth.
I learned in Choco Story, the chocolate museum in Bruges, that the first cocoa in Europe (specifically Spain) was sold exclusively at the pharmacy (apothecary) where it was mixed with other ingredients to cure ailments, for example cocoa and pepper mixed for someone with liver problems. Neat, huh?
This is rolled marzipan, not chocolate, but I didn't want to leave it out.
Go, bunny, go!
It's a jungle out there! A chocolate jungle!
Do you think Obama knows he's got an effigy in chocolate? What an honor!
Might be the largest and heaviest chocolate egg on Earth.
I learned in Choco Story, the chocolate museum in Bruges, that the first cocoa in Europe (specifically Spain) was sold exclusively at the pharmacy (apothecary) where it was mixed with other ingredients to cure ailments, for example cocoa and pepper mixed for someone with liver problems. Neat, huh?
Brussels' Amazing Museums
Musée Magritte (love René Magritte!)
Centre de la BD in Brussels
Atomium (built in 1959 for the World's Fair)
Museum of Musical Instruments (instruments from centuries, all over the world, really interesting!)
Centre de la BD in Brussels
Atomium (built in 1959 for the World's Fair)
Museum of Musical Instruments (instruments from centuries, all over the world, really interesting!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)