Saturday, September 30, 2006

Brussels Photo: Saturday, 30 September 2006

My haberdashery post of Wednesday was quite successful ... so here another take in the same shop.
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Friday, September 29, 2006

Brussels Photo: Friday, 29 September 2006

A result (?) of globalization, of fast paced life, a reality of today: the fast food. After Paris, here the Brussels DP take on fast food, the local Belgian brand, Quick - Q. More and more people seem to opt for the fast food solution, lunch and dinner. I wonder if it is the way to go?

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Thursday, September 28, 2006

Brussels Photo: Thursday, 28 September 2006

You'd think I live on a different planet, not Brussels. I know what they are. But what do you think they are / look like?

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Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Brussels Photo: Wednesday, 27 September 2006

I decided Brussels Daily Photo needs some color. Where better to go looking for color than a haberdashery.

Now if you wonder about the word, trust me, it was a discovery for me as well. Seems this Daily Photo hobby brings with it some English lessons too :)
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Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Brussels Photo: Tuesday, 26 September 2006

Keeping with the international flavor of Brussels, a somewhat different photo. Remember the mural by the African quarter, Matonge? This weekend I took a tour through the qarter, and was impressed by the color, life and different smells around. Here a perfect example of different, exotic food. I tried the scotch bonnet ... oh la la! My tongue will probably recover in November.

More on Matonge's gastronomy on my food blog.
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Monday, September 25, 2006

Brussels Photo: Monday, 25 September 2006

At the beginning of the week I wanted to give you a glimpse of the international flavor of Brussels, Personally, I don't realize it anymore as I am so used to the different languages, the different offices, the overall chaotic hybrid Brussels has become.

Here a great example of shared offices: Italy, Sweden, Norway and Estonia all in one building.
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Sunday, September 24, 2006

Brussels Photo: Sunday, 24 September 2006

Remember this orange office building back then? Now it looks like this. Every window has another cartoon face painted on it. Quite a funny take on office life.

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Saturday, September 23, 2006

Brussels Photo: Saturday, 23 September 2006

If you decide to move to Brussels, this might be of interest: the Welcome Fair. A great introduction to Brussels for expats and local alike.
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Friday, September 22, 2006

Brussels Photo: Friday, 22 September 2006

Remember this sign? Here another funny take on street signs. Someone is definitly having fun.

I apologize for not posting for a couple of days ... hectic, hectic, hectic!

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Thursday, September 21, 2006

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Brussels Photo: Wednesday, 20 September 2006

And now for something completely different for the Brussels Daily Photo. You all know Belgium is famous for ... hmmm ... chocolate and beer. What I didn't know though is that Belgium also brews Japanese beer. So for all the Japanese readers out there - cheers!

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Brussels Photo: Tuesday, 19 September 2006

Fair in Brussels. Anyone up for a game?

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Monday, September 18, 2006

Brussels Photo: Monday, 18 September 2006

Do I need to say more? At the moment I am speeding UK - continent, and back, preparing a move to take place - if everything will go well!!! - on 1 October 2006.

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Sunday, September 17, 2006

Brussels Photo: Sunday, 17 September 2006

Most of the art nouveau buildings have been destroyed, or not properly restaured. Yet Brussels remains an art nouveau center, alongside Vienna and Barcelona. Here we got to see an almost intact example of sgraffito. The actual drawings and details are examples of the art nouveau time, and beautiful.

And thus we end our art nouveau short trip through Schaerbeek. I am sure though that you'll see some more art nouveau (and perhaps art deco soon as well?) photos here on Brussels Daily Photo.

As I am abroad for the weekend, Denton came to the rescue again. Go visit him on Greenville DP.

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Saturday, September 16, 2006

Brussels Photo: Saturday, 16 September 2006

Continuing our visit in Schaerbeek, we came across this house, which has the most interesting details on the columns and fake balconys. Notice the windows above the door, which are typical for the art nouveau movement: iron and glass, brought together in harmony.

As I am abroad for the weekend, Denton came to the rescue again. Go visit him on Greenville DP.

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Friday, September 15, 2006

Brussels Photo: Friday, 15 September 2006

On our art nouveau visit, we came across this vase. Nothing unusual about this, you say. However, the history and details of this vase are what ... well, shock.

Not only does the vase display erotic images. It was also built by the Francmasons where a church used to stand (St. Servais). That's urban history for you :) The vase was created by Godefroid Devresse in 1911 and it's called 'Vase Monumental'.

As I am abroad for the weekend, Denton came to the rescue again. Go visit him on Greenville DP.

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Thursday, September 14, 2006

Brussels Photo: Thursday, 14 September 2006

I personally loved this forged iron window 'bars'. Art nouveau is defined by soft round lines, and a high dose of imagination when using modern materials: iron, graphite, glass. The details on these windows are just fantastic.

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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Brussels Photo: Wednesday, 13 September 2006

Another example of art nouveau, and an interesting history of Brussels. As you can see in this mural, around the 1900's Brussels used to be all cobble stone, and more resemble a village than a city.

In this particular post, the colors used are specific to the art nouveau movement.
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Brussels Photo: Tuesday, 12 September 2006

Art Nouveau. A movement typical for Belgium, and special for Brussels. There is of course Victor Horta, but other architects less known are just as impressive. And if you know where to look, you will find outstanding buildings and examples of art nouveau.

Which is I want to take you on a trip of art nouveau. A couple of days ago, on a sunny Sunday we took an art nouveau walk. It started in Schaerbeek, a commune of Brussels, in front of this house designed by Gustave Strauven (a pupil of Victor Horta). If you look closer you will see an incredibly detailed work of art nouveau on the iron cast.
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Monday, September 11, 2006

Brussels Photo: Monday, 11 September 2006

5 years on, hoping for new beginnings, more innocence, and a brighter future.

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