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
