Nicked

nicked

I've seen the Brussels cops on everything from cars to roller skates, but I wandered past this scene and wondered what the story was behind it. Was there a fast cycle chase? Does it feel humiliating to be stopped by cycle cops?

But a little example of something that happens every day.

Photographer in Grand Place

photographer2

As I wander around the Grand Place, I find it an interesting place to photograph people. I've become slightly obsessed with photographing photographers, especially those who use unusual stances and poses.

This guy was trying to set up the camera for a shot of him and his girlfriend. It would have been easier to ask someone else to do it, I'm often approached to take a quick picture and I never refuse.

Anyway, it's all part of the joy of the square.

Summiting in Brussels

IMG_8109

Before the main summit started I went to a meeting on the future of Georgia where the main speakers included State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration, Temuri Yakobashvili and Vladimir Chizov, Russian Ambassador to the European Union.

A lively meeting and one full of media. There were more cameras there than at Media Markt.

Belgian entertainment.

Place Flagey entertainment3
Originally uploaded by zoeinbrussels

At the opening of Place Flagey I spotted this man, presumably there for the entertainment that was going on during the second day. Belgians do weird things at the best of times and if he wasn't there to entertain, what on earth possessed him to dress up like this on a Sunday? The air isn't that bad around the Place as there are mainly trams circling around it.

Maybe he has bad asthma?

A hard day's work

A hard day's work
Originally uploaded by zoeinbrussels

You get a lot of people doing caricatures around Brussels, especially close to the Grand Place but something tells me that it was the end of the day for this old man who was sitting there, fast asleep.

Not enough tourists wanting a caricature of themselves? A long day? Who knows, but if I could draw I would certainly have made quite a good picture of this man.

And sold it to him.

Place Lux

place lux terrace18 phone in foreground

The arrival of better weather means that people enjoy an after work drink on the terraces of Place Luxembourg. Here you'll find MEP's, interns, journalists and others enjoying a beer whilst making as many calls on their mobiles as possible.

I even saw a table of six people who were all on their phones. Remember when you did conversation with people you were actually with?

A Hero

pilot monument wide

A small monument of a golden pilot is on Avenue Louise, the scene of a heroic attack on the morning of January 20th, 1943 from lone Belgian pilot, Baron Jean de Selys Longchamps. This was the culmination of his dogged desire to fight the Germans wherever he could.


After the Belgian surrender, the Baron fought his way to the Dunkirk evacuation and immediately returned to France to fight. After their capitulation he went to Morocco, where he was arrested and imprisoned in an internment camp. He escaped over the Pyrenees into Spain and onto Britain where he joined the RAF.


He had asked permission for an attack on the Gestapo HQ in Avenue Louise but got no response, so when on mission over Flanders, he diverted his Typhoon, flew low over Brussels and let rip with cannon fire at the Gestapo HQ at 453 Avenue Louise, threw out a Belgian flag and Union Jack and raced home as fast as he could. Up to 30 Gestapo officers died.


The British demoted him for disobedience and gave him the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. Sadly he died 18 months later, returning from a sortie over Ostend.

Je Reste Belge

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Yesterday, I joined 35,000 other people in the unity march. As an expat, I take the line that Belgians should decide Belgian politics.

But there's a limit to that, especially when it decides a change of country.

It's also getting a bit silly. The politicians are divided over BHV and can't squirm themselves into a coalition. Here's an idea; let the people decide. Hold a referendum in BHV about the future of the communes.

In the meantime, living in BHV, I have no desire to end up in Flanders, almost entirely because I don't want to be ruled by a bunch of neo-Nazis like the Vlaams Belang.

Besides I like Belgium, frustrating as it can be, there is something unique, charming and glorious about Belgium. Why split? Isn't life complicated enough already?

The march was great fun with a happy, playful and tolerant spirit. Lots of good natured people smiling at each other. we walked past the US embassy - who were do doubt in a state of shock and awe at not being abused or having chunks of paving stones lobbed at them.

We finished Under the arch and settled down to frites and beer.

Star of Belgie

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I was at the .be Day for Peace yesterday, to watch some bands and try to get a grip on the people who want to keep Belgium together.

This man was making a very powerful statement indeed, quietly walking around in his thirties outfit.

Halloween Hannibal

h barman mask best

Good to see the hardworking staff of O'Reilley's getting into the spirit of things.

Or at least I think they were

T Shirt of the Year

t shirt

I saw this chap at a tram stop. I didn't dare ask where he got the shirt from. He was with his girlfriend, but for some reason, she didn't want to be in the photo.

Funny that.

I'm Waiting for the Tram

waiting for tram1

Not often I can squeeze in a velvet underground reference into this blog, but there you go.

I like this photo for reasons I can't explain. Perhaps it was just a quick snapshot that came out ok, or maybe because it captures the stillness of this guy who kept the same position, virtually immobile for almost 15 mins.