Michal had a work conference in Brussels May 21-23. His work agreed to fly out, and pay for their hotels, if they wanted to go earlier and spend the weekend site-seeing Belgium. With that in mind, Michal & I jumped all over the opportunity. I just had to find a flight out to Belgium and it was practically a free trip. I got super lucky and the best flight that I found was the same flight that Michal (and his co-workers) were on. It worked out great and everything went super smoothly.
We stayed in this super wacky hotel: Hotel Mozart. It was like a maze of tile mosaics, staircases going up and down, and up and down, and up and down, and funky Arabic art all over with a dash of 17th century art randomly placed throughout the halls. It was unique. But it was free. Plus, they had breakfast every morning for you - which is always an added bonus.
We started out the day eating Belgian Waffles. This was my first waffle, that I never got to eat. I wanted to show the camera my fancy waffle, and immediately after the picture - the waffle slipped right out of my hands and onto the ground. I swore. A nearby tourist replied by saying, "That's not shit, that's whipping cream." I found this very clever and his comment kept me from getting upset over wasting a whole 2 euros on a dumb waffle.
The first day we went site-seeing with Michal's co-workers. I loved it! I didn't have to plan where to go or what to see. I can't tell you how great it was to not have to play tour-guide and just go along with the group. We saw some pretty interesting things and took our time viewing the city. I really like Michal's co-workers and felt like I got to know them a lot better.
So let me give you a little information on the Zinneke Parade. The parade occurs once every two years and thousands of artists submit their entries - with their entry's theme - and the list gets narrowed down to three themes. After careful consideration one theme is chosen and every artist which best exemplifies this "theme" is allowed to participate in the Zinneke Parade. This particular parade had over 900 proposals submitted and the three themes were narrowed down to: Desire, Disorder, and Fragility. The theme that ended up winning the bid was: DISORDER. There was a little booklet given out that explained each of the 22 different "groups" and how it symbolically embodies the idea of "disorder." And why "DISORDER" was chosen overall. I found it brilliant. In short the world has been experiencing a lot of conflict - and disarray. We have been fighting for opinions, social position, religion convictions, and race rites - but on a daily basis these all seem to clash for more "attention" or "spotlight" or "rites" than one another. Though there is much "disorder" we should be able to overcome disagreements, arguments, and physical and verbal displays of power. This being said, this is the time to become aware of these differences and rise above violence. This is what "Zinneke" (a nickname for the city of Brussels) is all about - finding artistic ways to bring diverse groups of people together... people who would ever encounter each other in their daily lives. And also provide opportunities for others to express themselves artistically. Through the language of art that paraded around this city it is clear to see how much "disorder" occurs in our lives and how we can overcome these stereotypes and reach out to one another as individuals in a caring way.
Here is a little description about each of the "groups" that we saw perform in the parade!
1. Cogitobus-Imaginarium - "Cerebral Disorder - Between common sense and confusion, the scales have lots it!"
As these performers pushed their ladders on the ground, it made an eerie harmonica sound that came out. (I also found it interesting that the first group was the one that Michal took his photo with earlier in the afternoon).
2. Monsterbroll - "A little disorder among friends - Residents of Broll City run between the giant legs."
This group reminded me of what the 1920's and 1930's would have looked like if it was all made out of cardboard. At the very end they had this massive monster who came by and tried to wipe everyone out - while the group created a cardboard blockade and fought back against the monster. I found this monster to by symbolic of two different things: The Great Depression and World War II. It makes sense how something so terrible could unite so many people to overcome the disorder and disarray in their lives and work together to fight off the monster.
3. Sound of Kaai - "Verbal disorder - Men caught in an electrical network. The noise never stops."
I loved this one because the noise was everyone talking on the telephone in a different language - they all had signs around their heads that talked about how we distance ourselves from society through social media and electronics. We need to learn to work with each other face to face instead of through a "telephone." And we need to be come more connected without electronics helping us.
(I believe that the signs below say: (Left) "The Word World, the Chaos in a Letters, means missing, No muddled sense, Where is the Nonsense, Beginning Writing, Peace and where is the end, The first will be." (Right) "Lost Too Much Hope."
4. NoMade Building - "Citizens' disobedience - A disobedient figure prevents the company from succeeding as planned."
Okay - I didn't get this one at all. It was a little wacko. A lot of the others (with their explanations in the book) had a lot of symbolic meaning - and this one it just seemed as though the puzzle pieces didn't fit together just right.
5. Ramdam - "Auditory disorder - Randam is coming and rands his dumb noise in eloquent style."
This "exhibit" reminded me a little bit of Dr. Seuss with the various ways they used to make noise and the way that the characters were dressed up. I think that the meaning here was that too much emphasis in society is placed on music instead of creating our own music and harmonizing with others.
6. Volle Brol - "Disturbance - Only the Great Manipulator can see the Egg. The quest continues."
The reason that I liked this one is because they manipulated the props to make it appear one way - when it was really being done another way. Like an optical illusion.
7. Charivari - "Disorder of Ideas - The troublemakers of Charivari, the protector of ideas, are en route."
And distort ideas they did. I felt like I walked into Europe's depiction of utopian Native Americans living in harmony with strange animals.
9. Distorting - "Distortion - A noisy and playful army goes to battle against an ordered world."
By far one of the best displays. Creative ideas - fire and bubbles - and strangely made houses. I felt like I was on-set for the sequel of "Hook."
Why did the statues have red squares on their heads? Still trying to figure that one out...
We went and saw "Manneken Pis" again. This time it's outfit was gone. Apparently they dress him up different days for when (a) different events are occurring (b) different soccer matches are being played (c) holidays.
Michal always wanted to see the European Commission - so we took pictures of him and his patriotism to Europe.
I swear - we see beautiful arches and buildings and Michal gets the most excited when he sees a Red Alligator? He had to pose "CHOOT EM" for my dad and a tribute to "Swamp People."
In addition to the Belgian Waffles, we had the Belgian Frites. Anyone who knows me knows how much I absolutely HATE mayonnaise. HATE! However... for some reason, I really kinda liked the Mayo with these fries. Maybe it was the weather - or the lack of other options - but now I at least know one thing that Mayo is good for.
After lunch we saw tons of strangely dressed up people. We couldn't figure out what was going on. Michal went to ask this group what the deal was with their costumes and they told us there was this massive parade in a few hours. He then asked them if he could have a photo taken with them. Before they had time to think I yelled, "Everyone jump on the count of three... one... two... THREE!" AND THEY JUMPED! I love it when locals participate in jumping pictures with us!
So let me give you a little information on the Zinneke Parade. The parade occurs once every two years and thousands of artists submit their entries - with their entry's theme - and the list gets narrowed down to three themes. After careful consideration one theme is chosen and every artist which best exemplifies this "theme" is allowed to participate in the Zinneke Parade. This particular parade had over 900 proposals submitted and the three themes were narrowed down to: Desire, Disorder, and Fragility. The theme that ended up winning the bid was: DISORDER. There was a little booklet given out that explained each of the 22 different "groups" and how it symbolically embodies the idea of "disorder." And why "DISORDER" was chosen overall. I found it brilliant. In short the world has been experiencing a lot of conflict - and disarray. We have been fighting for opinions, social position, religion convictions, and race rites - but on a daily basis these all seem to clash for more "attention" or "spotlight" or "rites" than one another. Though there is much "disorder" we should be able to overcome disagreements, arguments, and physical and verbal displays of power. This being said, this is the time to become aware of these differences and rise above violence. This is what "Zinneke" (a nickname for the city of Brussels) is all about - finding artistic ways to bring diverse groups of people together... people who would ever encounter each other in their daily lives. And also provide opportunities for others to express themselves artistically. Through the language of art that paraded around this city it is clear to see how much "disorder" occurs in our lives and how we can overcome these stereotypes and reach out to one another as individuals in a caring way.
Here is a little description about each of the "groups" that we saw perform in the parade!
1. Cogitobus-Imaginarium - "Cerebral Disorder - Between common sense and confusion, the scales have lots it!"
As these performers pushed their ladders on the ground, it made an eerie harmonica sound that came out. (I also found it interesting that the first group was the one that Michal took his photo with earlier in the afternoon).
2. Monsterbroll - "A little disorder among friends - Residents of Broll City run between the giant legs."
This group reminded me of what the 1920's and 1930's would have looked like if it was all made out of cardboard. At the very end they had this massive monster who came by and tried to wipe everyone out - while the group created a cardboard blockade and fought back against the monster. I found this monster to by symbolic of two different things: The Great Depression and World War II. It makes sense how something so terrible could unite so many people to overcome the disorder and disarray in their lives and work together to fight off the monster.
3. Sound of Kaai - "Verbal disorder - Men caught in an electrical network. The noise never stops."
I loved this one because the noise was everyone talking on the telephone in a different language - they all had signs around their heads that talked about how we distance ourselves from society through social media and electronics. We need to learn to work with each other face to face instead of through a "telephone." And we need to be come more connected without electronics helping us.
(I believe that the signs below say: (Left) "The Word World, the Chaos in a Letters, means missing, No muddled sense, Where is the Nonsense, Beginning Writing, Peace and where is the end, The first will be." (Right) "Lost Too Much Hope."
4. NoMade Building - "Citizens' disobedience - A disobedient figure prevents the company from succeeding as planned."
Okay - I didn't get this one at all. It was a little wacko. A lot of the others (with their explanations in the book) had a lot of symbolic meaning - and this one it just seemed as though the puzzle pieces didn't fit together just right.
5. Ramdam - "Auditory disorder - Randam is coming and rands his dumb noise in eloquent style."
This "exhibit" reminded me a little bit of Dr. Seuss with the various ways they used to make noise and the way that the characters were dressed up. I think that the meaning here was that too much emphasis in society is placed on music instead of creating our own music and harmonizing with others.
6. Volle Brol - "Disturbance - Only the Great Manipulator can see the Egg. The quest continues."
The reason that I liked this one is because they manipulated the props to make it appear one way - when it was really being done another way. Like an optical illusion.
7. Charivari - "Disorder of Ideas - The troublemakers of Charivari, the protector of ideas, are en route."
And distort ideas they did. I felt like I walked into Europe's depiction of utopian Native Americans living in harmony with strange animals.
8. Frites Sauce Manioc - "Cultural disorder - The ceremony celebrates the union of opposites. A unique wedding."
This group tried to dress up in "cultural outfits" but it was a pretty poorly done job. They also tried to do different "cultural dances" - but it was more embarrassing to watch. It wasn't well organized and it seemed like they had good intentions - they really tried to grasp the idea of unifying cultures - but (to me) the failed miserably."
9. Distorting - "Distortion - A noisy and playful army goes to battle against an ordered world."
By far one of the best displays. Creative ideas - fire and bubbles - and strangely made houses. I felt like I was on-set for the sequel of "Hook."
10. Corpozimut - "Small physical disorders - A delegation of mad scientists. Their demonstration goes wrong."
And yes - not only did these people have "strange defects" - but what the heck was the ribbon for? Rythmic Gymnastics?
Well, that wraps up the parade. It was 2 1/2 hours long - and we only stayed for the first hour of it. Everyone wanted to go back to the hotel to take a nap. But I guess the Trenerowski's definition of Nap and Michal's co-workers definition was VERY DIFFERENT. We slept for an hour and they slept for like 5. So we got to go exploring the city on our own. We decided to head outside of the city and see things that Michal wanted to see.
While we were out exploring, I found this quote. I love it when you find little things like this that try to inspire other people.
On Sunday, Michal & I decided to head up North to see Brugge. It was about an hour train ride from Brussels and a city that I had seen before and fell in love with. I always wanted to show this city to Michal. Don't worry - even though it was a rainy "slow Sunday" Michal loved it too!
In Brugge I found this place where people left notes for each other (like at the Testing Center at BYU) only in a different country. I've always wanted to do this... so - I am going to add it to my Bucket List to put a note in a city that I know a friend will be going to in a few weeks - and see if they can "find" my note I left for them.
Michal wanted to voyage out beyond the main square of the city - so we rented a Tandem Bike. I was the lucky one who got to sit in the back. Let me tell you a little bit about sitting in the back - every time the person in the front shifts gears, your feet get jerked off the pedals because you weren't expecting it and then they are going too fast to put back on. So I just sit there and enjoyed the ride until Michal was teasing me for doing all the work. Then the person in the front gets to go into the cobblestone bumps, while the person in the back gets to recover from a sore butt for the next two days following the bike ride. All-in-all... I really had fun and this was the highlight of Brugge.
Brugge was a great city and such an added benefit to our trip. I loved that we got to experience it together. I'm glad that we got to go to Brussels together and that Michal's work was so cool to let him site-see (so that I could go with him). It was a perfect little vacation - but not one that I would have normally planned to see.
