Wednesday, December 10, 2014

MOSTLY BELGIUM TRIVIA

                           GOOD TO KNOW
                                         
From the last page in my diary on this recent trip I noted:
Belgium:
v  Cannot tip on credit card, must leave tip in cash.
v  Do not beckon anyone with index finger, use whole hand. 
v  Seat self in restaurant, there is no one to seat you.
v  A polder is reclaimed land.
v  Flat towers are almost exclusively seen on polders.
v  All cities/villages have a Grote Markt (Big square) and bell towers.
v  French fries are routine with all meals. Can also buy fries from street venders.
v  Belgium white asparagus is available two months a year.
v  Scarves are very popular with both men and women.
v  Clean cities.
v  Some smokers
v  Very few cell phone users on street.
v  Bruges Horses—clip clop—owned by seven horse families, 13 carriages total.
v  Canal boats and traffic in Bruges owned and controlled by five canal families.
v  Chocolatiers everywhere.
v  Gorgeous lace. Expensive as handmade and very labor intensive.
v  Nothing but cobble stones—streets, walkways, everywhere—wear good shoes.
v  Cyclists have right of way and just as soon run you down.
v  Traffic is fast.
v  Flemish architecture.
v  Good roads, narrow smooth, cars are small.
v  4000 beers in Belgium.
v  No billboards---wonderful.
v  Rainbows seen twice
v  Wild flowers colorful and in bloom for all of visit.
v  Bell towers have clocks on all four sides.
v  Lots of river traffic!

Holland:
v  Windmill blades turn counterclockwise.
v  Dutch auctions start high and prices drop in value.
v  Dutch are friendly and have a great sense of humor.
v  Hand operated draw bridges common in small villages.
v  Never saw any fast food signs/restaurants, would be found only in large cities.
v  No mountains and any hills are manmade.
v  Graffiti in large cities: Rotterdam, Amsterdam


No comments: