Dec-2013
Luscious Ghent during Christmas
Early in the morning a cold breeze passes my bare face as I walk towards the train station of Eindhoven for my four hour voyage to Ghent. I enter the intercity train and as soon as the rails start crossing the Belgium border I notice this journey passes a scenic route. Some astonishing villas surrounded by a high density of trees make it worthwhile looking through the window instead of reading my book.
Cruising Ghent
Ghent is almost entirely pedestrianized. You can loose yourself walking through narrow streets that lead you to the Saint Nicholas’ church, the Saint Bavo Cathedral which is home to the painting “het Lam Gods” by the Van Eyk brothers or perhaps you will encounter the medieval castle of the counts. The Castle has been used as a factory, prison, courthouse, but strangely enough it was not built for any protection of the city.
I walk passed the 15th century medieval great butchers’ hall towards the canal. A staircase leads me to a platform and to a boat where champagne and cheese straws decorate the tables. A captain slash guide from “de bootjes van Gent” waits for the arrival of his tourists. The townhouses rise above the many canals of Ghent and he wants to explain all about these beautiful buildings. He makes sure the seats are all dry and provides us with a warm blanket for during the tour.
We pass a house which currently residents the Marriott hotel and it seems to be decorated with images of swans. Our guide explains that a sign of two swans swimming towards each other is significant for love, but when two swans are swimming away from each other it relates to infidelity. I guess the two swans betray its past as a brothel.
Delicious noses
At some point during my visit to Ghent it gets to difficult to restrain myself anymore from trying the things they are offering during the Ghent Winter Festival.
A local guy who is standing in front of Tierenteyn-Verlent, the best mustard store in town, tells me I should try his sweet noses. His what? Sweet ‘noses’? Is he playing tricks on me? He passes me a dark red triangle made of sugar, gum and raspberry syrup. They seem solid on the outside, but they have liquid on the inside. I am not sure if I really like these sweets, but perhaps I need to try some more.
Many of the Christmas stalls are selling hot chocolate and glühwein. You cannot refuse one of those hot drinks when you are walking through the city of Ghent in the cold winter days. There are also stalls offering pancakes and waffles. I even saw a stall selling garlic mushrooms and potatoes… Personally, I must say that I appreciate it when there are so many market stalls with food and drinks. Keeps me happy – walking around and being able to eat.
Hopverdomme beer
When you are visiting Belgium you cannot just go to bed directly after diner. I would say it is part of the deal that whenever you are in town, you need to try some of the local special beers. 
I notice a little bar behind the NH Belfort hotel named “Pinkflamingo’s” and it looks quite cozy and full of young people having a good time. It seems to be a kitsch bar, but that sure does not spoil the fun! With pictures and colorful frames hanging everywhere I do not get bored looking around as I wait for the bartender to ask me which beer I want tonight. Ah, there he is. I would like the special of the day! The bartender brings me a brown colored bottle and a big glass. The bottle has the word “hopverdomme” written on it, which is a word game because “hop” means beer hops and the entire word itself originally starting with the letter “g” would be a Dutch damnation. That makes it definitely a special Belgium beer!
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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Ohh jij knappie! Mooie post heb je ervan gemaakt. De biertjes en het kasteel waren voor mij ook de toppers. En het graffitistraatje, :x. Tot zondag!
Oh wat jammer dat ik dat graffitistraatje heb gemist! Alweer een nieuwe reden om nog eens terug te gaan :-))))
wij wensen jou : http://onafhankelijke-bloggers-associatie.nl/over-feestdagen-jaarwisseling-en-het-nieuwjaarsgedicht/
Jullie ook een hele fijne jaarwisseling!