Around London in 80 days
In these uncertain times, I need a lifeline and a horizon so I have — somewhat arbitrarily I’ll admit — set a date. April 1st will be my horizon ; my lifeline will be the 80 days separating me from it.
And as I cannot go around the world right now, I give you A Mad Belgian’s “Around London in 80 Days” : eighty impressions of London, eighty stories, places, thoughts from my experience of this wonderfully mad and maddening city.
Day 40: “Sprout to be Brussels”
“I’ve been to Belgium once, it’s a strange little place.”
“OMG, I looooooove Belgian chocolate!”
“I remember Belgium, they drink beer in funny little glasses —I don’t like it. For me it’s a pint or nothing.”
“So you’re from Belgium? You’re the reason we started World War One, aren’t you?”
“Belgium is the capital of Brussels, right ?”
“Belgian huh? Cool! You guys are very good at football.”
“I don’t really like Brussels sprouts, you know. Lucky we only have them at Christmas.”
“Did you know that the saxophone was invented in Belgium?”
“Belgium is a really dull country, isn’t it? I’ve always heard it was a boring place.”
“Bloody Brussels, bloody Europe”
“I’ve been through Belgium many times, but never actually stopped there.”
“Tintin is Belgian isn’t he? Funny how most famous Belgians are fictional characters: Tintin, Poirot,…”
“What do you mean, three official languages? That’s got to be confusing”
“I love Belgian beer but it’s too strong for me.”
“Is Bruges in Belgium then?”
“Jacques Brel, of course I know Jacques Brel. I never realised he was from Belgium though.”
“Everybody loves the Belgians —it’s not like the French!”
