Snow

First, a big HELLO to the followers of this blog (yeah, all seven of you!). I took some time of from blogging since things have been insane, what with all the work I'm doing.

Having said that, I want to bring some Christmas spirit here in this virtual space by putting this video I took during my train ride from Amsterdam, the Netherlands to Brussels, Belgium. If there's one thing I terribly miss about Christmas in Europe, it's that white stuff that falls from the sky that makes everything topsy-turvy and nice.

IN PHOTOS: Bruges, Belgium

Bruges (Brugge) might be unfamiliar to most Filipinos but this very idyllic city in the north of Belgium, in the Flemish region, has been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. On a more personal note, I am always reminded of the warmth and the homey atmosphere the city offers, a fitting wakerupper especially during one's low moments.

Bird's eyeview

What would a bird hovering above Europe see?


He might see the grandeur of the Temple of Hephaestus in the city of Athens, Greece...


or the the charm of the Parisian nightlife in France.


He might see the hustle and bustle of the Praça Rossio in Lisbon, Portugal...


the tranquility of the Markt Square in Bruges, Belgium,


or the marvels of the Sevillian spires in Spain.

Old men playing with their balls

...shotput balls, that is! A quiet afternoon in Bruges (Brugge) where senior citizens play ball and talk just about anything under the Belgian sun.

More naked European men and the places to find 'em

I have blogged in a previous entry that nude men abound in many places in Europe; even in churches and universities, an eagle-eyed traveler will surely get his fill! Here are more artistic nudes in a continent that over time has never been ashamed of the human form.

Delphi, Greece. Antinous was the paramour of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. After his death, he was deified by the subjects upon the decree of the Emperor and many statues of the fallen youth were erected all throughout the empire. This one is housed in the present-day Delphi Museum in Greece.

Florence, Italy. The most famous naked man of all time is, without a doubt, Michelangelo's David. Not too many people know, however, that there are three Davids in Florence. This one in the Piazza della Signoria is the most viewed, as it is the most accessible.

Antwerp, Belgium. The statue of Silvius Brabo stands in his naked glory at the middle of the Grote Markt of Antwerp, in front of the city hall and the magnificent guildhouses. This Roman soldier was said to have cut the hand of a giant and thus gave the city its name.

More views from the top

The best way to enjoy any scenery is to see it from the top. Although I have the fascination (obsession?) of whoring myself in pictures, I always make it a point to take a photo of the city I'm visiting from any tall building. Here are some of them:


Lisbon, Portugal from the Castelo de São Jorge. On top of the hill where Portugal's King Manuel I built a fortification to serve as the first line of the defense, tourists can now enjoy the breath-taking view of the city and the Tagus River.


Bruges, Belgium from the city belfry in Markt. The square below is that of the city hall in the Burg area. At the left-hand side of the city hall (hidden from the view) is the Basilica of the Holy Blood that houses what is supposedly the relic of the blood of Jesus.


Hydra, Greece from a ledge overlooking the Saronic Gulf. I just had to take a picture of the island from this perspective because of the cactus. I met some Mexicans during the cruise that left from Athens; obviously they're so fascinated with this spiny plant that grows abundantly in their country that they began to talk about how to prepare dishes with it!


Saragossa, Spain from the belfry of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pilar. The basilica dedicated to the Nuestra Señora del Pilar, patroness of all Hispanic countries, is itself amazing. The view from bell tower is superb as it captures the tall spires that towers over Zaragoza.


Rome, Italy from the Cupola of St. Peter's. Climbing this tallest building this side of the planet is perhaps an allegory of how the road to heaven will be. There's an elevator, yes, but the remaining steps and the manner by which you have to climb them are very challenging, to say the least.

Rocky royals

Now, for a very cheesy question: When you die, how would your epitaph read? How would you want those who would come to your burial remember you for? I think this was the question the following kings had in mind when their statues were erected:

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). This is his statue in the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, France. Until the end, he portrayed himself as an emperor, complete with the laurels, the scepter and the orb.


Manuel I of Portugal (1469-1521). It was during his time when Portugal "discovered" Brazil and the sea route to India. He is immortalized in this statue erected in the Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon.

William the Silent (1533-1584). He is known in French as Guillaume le Taciturne. Judging from this statue in the Sablon area of Brussels, Belgium, he must've been a rather unapproachable guy.


Philip II of Spain (1527-1598). Or, as any Filipino might say, the king in whose honor the Philippines was named as such. During his reign, it is said the the sun never set in the Spanish Empire. Here's his sun-bathed statue in the Plaza Mayor of Madrid.

A budget traveler’s guide to surviving BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Brussels is twice a capital city, as it is the capital of Belgium and the administrative seat of the entire European Union. So it goes without saying that the city is monumental, to say the least. Towering church spires, humongous domes, gilded façades, wide streets… even tall chocolate fountains!

Wanna visit Brussels? Get your visas ready, make room for tasty chocolate treats and embrace this beautiful and wacky city with a big “Hallo!”

1. Find out. Belgium has two main languages: French and Flemish. While a large part of Belgium has the latter as first language, the former remains the preferred medium of communication in the capital. Belgians also speak good English. So, if ever you’re navigating with maps within Brussels or from Brussels to another city, be sure to get the translation of the place names in the language of your choice. And by the way, Belgium has perhaps the most efficient tourist office in Europe; you can ask for free brochures and maps to be delivered to you at home. (For more info, click on the link to the Belgian tourism office at the right-hand panel of my blog).

2. Munch. Other than chocolate, Belgium is famous for its beer, seafood and waffles. If you love beer, do enter in any of the bars within and around the Markt area to sample some of Belgium’s finest. Also within this area are numerous seafood restaurants whose specialty includes a pot of mussels (called moules) cooked in aromatic vegetables, wine and butter, and served with mayonnaise and French fries. A pot would cost around 20 euros, but if you have money to spare, the dish is worth every cent. Waffles sold in every street corner are a cheap and filling alternative for tourists on the go.

3. Blush. While most cities in Europe pride themselves with the high and mighty, Brussels is perhaps the only one that has a naked boy pissing on a fountain as the city symbol. Called the Manneken Pis, the bronze statue stands on its lofty monument just over a fountain where his “piss” all goes, in an obscure corner of the city. Les Amis de Manneken-Pis, the organization formed to look after the statue, dresses him up On special occasions. The naked boy’s more than 650 costumes are on display in the Musée de la Ville. The official site of the Manneken Pis rightfully markets him with the catch phrase “He’s small… but he has no decency.”

4. Visit. Brussels is also a convergence of both classical and contemporary art and architecture. All life revolves around the main square called Grand Place in French or Grote Markt in Flemish, and from here you can start your classical route. Near it are the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert/Sint-Hubertusgalerij, a series of shops that sell anything from CDs to Belgian lace. You don’t necessarily have to buy anything. Just marvel at the site. The Cathédrale Sts-Michel et Gudule is about 10 minutes away from the gallery and if you’re into archaeology, you might want to visit its underground site. From here you could continue either by foot or by subway to the Palais de Justice/Justitie Paleis (Hall of Justice), the two Sablon districts, and the Palais Royal/Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace). The contemporary route should begin with the Atomium in Bruparck which can be reached by taking the subway toward the outskirts of the city. Then you take the subway back to the center to see the building of the European Parliament.

5. Shop. Shopping around the Markt area or even just looking around in every shop is sheer bliss. For chocolate lovers, there’s an endless array of stores that sell authentic and not-so-authentic Belgian chocolates. Some even invite onlookers to sample their tasty treats. Comic book lovers would also get the time of their lives by scouting for Tintin souvenirs. The official shop of this comic book legend created by Georges Remi (a.k.a. Hergé) can be found on the Rue de la Colline, also within the Markt area.

Marlon’s Brussels route (1-2 days): Manneken Pis. Grote Markt (enter the city hall if it’s open). St. Hubert’s Galleries. Cathedral (enter if you’re interested in archaeology and religious art). Hall of Justice. Sablon. Royal Palace. Take the metro to Atomium. Don’t enter unless you want to see Brussels from a different perspective.

Marlon’s budget tip: If you want to give chocolates to a lot of people but are cash-strapped, why not try buying the marked-down Guylian chocolates in any store around the city center? I’m not sure if they’re authentic, but at 10 euros per three handsome boxes, the chocolates are not bad as gifts if you’re on a tight budget.

Poetry in the outdoors

Poetic inspiration comes even to tourists, I believe. When one travels and sees sights so extraordinary that they pierce into his very core, his muse may not be far behind.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”
- Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
(Fatima, Portugal)

“O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting…” - Walt Whitman, O Captain! My Captain!
(Antwerp, Belgium)

“But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;

Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:”
- William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
(Venice, Italy)

“Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits...” - John Keats, A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever
(Volendam, the Netherlands)

“The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,

The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.”
- Robert Herrick, To the Virgins to Make Much of Time
(Meteora, Greece)

HOSTEL REVIEW: Lybeers Travellers Hostel, Bruges, Belgium

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 2 to 3, 2007

PLUSES: This was once named the best budget hostel by Hostelworld, and for a good reason: cheap accommodation with first-class reception! The staff members (including the cute family dog!) are very accommodating and know how tourism should be. The location is near the Bruges (Brugge) tourism office, the new open-air market where you could buy smoked salmon and king crab salad if you're on a tight budget, and the main street that leads to all tourist spots. And the buffet breakfast is the best! They don't scrimp on the food. And there's an old world charm in the entire place, especially in the salon. VERY RECOMMENDABLE TO BUDGET TRAVELERS!

MINUSES: Well, if I really have to put something, there's no elevator so a big suitcase will be a chore to carry. The rooms are kinda old, but not repulsive. The free Internet is a bit slow.

Visit their site

Confessions of a ceiling addict (The international edition)

My obsession with ceilings has peppered many a post in this blog. I have previously blogged about ceilings in Madrid, Seville, Avila, Toledo and Majorca, all from Spain, but now I have realized I also do have pictures of ceilings from other European countries!


Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, ITALY. The most attention-grabbing ceiling of them all is probably that of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Upon entrance, tourists are greeted with a long hallway whose well-illuminated ceiling is adorned by classical painting of Renaissance masters. The ceiling of the chapel itself is a masterpiece of Michelangelo himself.


Hôtel des Invalides, Paris, FRANCE. Hovering over the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte is a golden dome that seemingly exalts the glory of this conqueror and self-proclaimed emperor.


Church of the Holy Apostles, Athens, GREECE. Most, if not all, Greek Orthodox churches have the image of Christ, called the Pantokrator, on the main dome of the nave. This church in the Roman Agora in Athens has retained its ancient Pantokrator despite the recent rennovation it has undertaken.


Cathedral of our Lady of Antwerp, BELGIUM. Although most tourists enter this cathedral to see the paintings of Peter Paul Reubens, the dome still mesmerizes. It depicts the coronation of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.


Praça do Comércio, Lisbon, PORTUGAL. This is the ceiling of the big arch that towers over this seaside square of Lisbon. The arch itself is a dazzling architectural masterpiece.

Funny signs for Flips abroad

August is, of course, the month of the Philippine National Language, in recognition of President Manuel Luis Quezon's efforts in consolidating a Filipino lingua franca based on Tagalog. Tomorrow, August 19, is the birthday of Quezon (and my Mom's, hence her name Maria Luisa) and the zenith of the celebrations of the National Language Month.

As I was flipping through my files, I came across two very interesting pictures of signs I've seen abroad. While among non-Filipino speakers the signs may mean nothing more than what they're intended to mean, a true-blue Flip might get the shock of his life when he sees them.

In Bruges, Belgium, in a bar near the main square, a sign reads "Chimay," a popular Trappist beer among Belgians. For Flips, however, the word means "househelp" in its snootiest and most colloquial form.


Elsewhere, in Pamplona, Spain, a restaurant advertises a special dish called "Katamaran," a salad made of lettuce, endives, corn, pineapple and anchovy. In Filipino, the word means "laziness" but preparing the salad seems anything but being lazy.

Winter travel versus summer travel

A very important consideration for a budget traveler is when to travel. Unless you're Paris Hilton who can afford to travel with 15 suitcases and stay in a luxury hotel, weather will always be an important factor in planning your trip. So, let's cut to the chase, winter travel or summer travel? Here's my short list of pros and cons:

WINTER (Brugge, Belgium, February 2007)

• PROS: There are less tourists so, in theory, most hotels and airlines should lower their prices. Also, if there are less people going to tourist spots, queues and waiting time are shorter. For those who come from tropical countries like I do, seeing the snow is always rewarding.
• CONS: Gloomy, wet and not so nice. If you happen to be in some place where the snow is at its heaviest, expect long delays. And packing is SUCH A BIG CHORE!

SUMMER (Mallorca, Spain, July 2007)

• PROS: There seem to be more organized tour packages and promos during the summer. If you're the type who loves going out and meeting other people having their break, the season is perfect. Packing your bags is definitely easier because you don't have to worry about bringing jackets and coats.
• CONS: The heat is sweltering and probably you wouldn't want to do anything other than stay submerged in the water or out of the midday sun. The influx of tourists also results into various delays. Upon reaching your destination, you might not even get to spend quality R&R time because half of the planet is there in your spot.

Any other thoughts?

Touring the canals of Bruges, Belgium

I went to Bruges (Brugge), Belgium on what was supposed to be a foggy and damp winter day. But the sun did show and the boatmen went out to offer canal tours. Explanation in French and English, with swans, happy children and reprimanded Norwegian tourists to cap it all off.

Pictures please (Part II)

Asians, however, seem to be more keen on taking very good photos. Well, to some extent, it's one of our most enduring stereotypes. (Have you ever since a group of Japanese or Chinese tourists enter a museum or whichever landmark? You should know what I mean.)

Koreans took this photo in Bruges, Belgium. They ask if I was American. I said I wasn't. They said I should be because of the accent. I insisted I wasn't. Then they ask me if the Philippines is a good place to visit. I should've brought flyers. Nice folks.

This one, on the other hand, was taken by a Japanese in Seville, Spain during the Holy Week. Imagine my surprise after I asked him to take my picture. He knelt, positioned the camera, and shot this splendid photo with the façade of the cathedral of Seville at the back. The guy must've been around 60 years old, mind you.

Pictures please (Part I)

An important skill that anyone who wishes to travel should develop involves asking another tourist to take his picture, if and when the budget traveler travels alone and the tripod cannot be adjusted to fit a certain angle.

It's a high-risk move, considering that many people who would gladly do you the favor: (1) don't have the same idea of what constitutes a good photo, (2) are incapable of using someone else's cam, or (3) are thieves waiting to run away with your precious apparatus.

That said, I was rummaging through my files for a possible blog entry today when I chanced upon two interesting pictures taken for me by two (totally unrelated) Spanish-speaking tourists in Bruge, Belgium.


This one was done by a Spaniard who was taking a breather in the center of the town square. I said to him that I wanted to capture the town hall in the background. He did capture it... along with 10 meters of the street.

This one, in turn, was courtesy of a young Mexican guy who was in Bruge with his wife for their honeymoon. They wanted the belfry taken and I happily obliged (it was a good pic, I so swear). Afterwards, I asked them if it would be okay if they take the same photo for me. The guy did, but I feel as if he was already drunk by then. Oh well.