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From: lambic-request at lance.colostate.edu (subscription requests only - do not post here)
To: lambic at lance.colostate.edu
Subject: Lambic Digest #538 (February 04, 1995)
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 1995 00:30:18 -0700
Lambic Digest #538 Sat 04 February 1995
Forum on Lambic Beers (and other Belgian beer styles)
Mike Sharp, Digest Coordinator
Contents:
Traveling in Belgium ("Phillip Seitz")
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Date: Fri, 03 Feb 95 09:56:50 -0400
From: "Phillip Seitz" <p00644 at psilink.com>
Subject: Traveling in Belgium
Well, it appears to be the season when everybody's planning a trip to
Belgium, me included. People have occasionally come to me for
suggestions regarding places to go, and it's a great pleasure to help
out when I can. But even though I'm getting ready for my 9th trip
there's a great deal I don't know about the place, and I see exploring
and learning more about a different culture at the most exciting part.
Now, this is directed at nobody in particular (HONEST!), but I'd like
to remind people that there's a lot more there than beer. Yes, I know,
it's hard to believe, and time is always short when you're a beer
tourist. Moreover, talking about and enjoying beer is a wonderful way
to meet people over there. But even so I'd like to urge people to take
some time to smell the roses, and to enjoy some other things. Here are
just a few examples:
1) There are lots of wonderful festival days. Check the green Michelin
guide for information.
2) Industrial archaeology. There are some fascinating barge elevators
in the central south, and many interesting industrial and coal mining areas.
3) Art. The Antwerp art museum is one of the world's greats, and there
are numerous fantastic museums in Bruges. They also have some very
classy (and eye opening) smaller museums, such at the Musee Felicien
Rops in Namur. The Agnus Dei in the Ghent cathedral is worth a trip in
itself.
4) Landscape. The Meuse river valley is really gorgeous, and there's a
great overlook from the citadel in Namur. Dinant is also quite dramatic.
5) Culture wars. Once you have an introduction to the history, you can
spot all sorts of things as you travel around. Actually, I suggest
plowing through the article on Belgium in the Encyclopedia Brittanica,
which includes a positively bewildering map of the linguistic divisions.
6) Small towns. There are lots of really lovely places to spend an
afternoon sitting outside in a cafe, and yes, you can drink beer while
you do it. My favorite is Limbourg, in the provice of Luxembourg (not
to be confused with the COUNTRY of Luxembourg, but that's another
story). Obviously this is for summer months, and when it's not raining.
7) Agriculture. It's really fun (but messy) to be around in the fall
when the sugar beets are being harvested in Hainaut. Huge pyramids of
beets by the side of the road, and tractors everywhere.
I guess my suggestion is to pace yourselves, and not to forget the
importance of wasting time. At this point my M.O. is to get up in the
morning, look at the map, and find someplace I've never been to visit.
In the evening there's lots of time for cafes, etc. And if you're
feeling particularly catholic in your tastes, there's even a gin museum
in Hasselt!
I beg your pardon for taking this space, but I just wanted to remind
you that there's more to bring home from Belgium than beer. Overall
I've found it to be a very friendly place for people who are curious
and care about life and culture, and in some cases it can even change
your life. I know it changed mine, and I'll be eternally grateful.
Phil
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End of Lambic Digest
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