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03/30/2004: "Brussels"
I was about to start a rant in another blog about Brussels, but I figured I would just start a new article for all to see. A lot of people seem to like Brussels - but these people probably also like Brussel Sprouts, so I wouldn't trust 'em further than I could throw a life-sized statue of the pissing boy.
But, as usual, I have a theory about why people like Brussels (although the Brussel Sprout thing still eludes me). I visited Brussels in January of 1987, which was one of the worst winters on record in Europe. When I think back to that trip, the memories flash through my mind like an art house movie - Gary Williams asking a machine gun toting guard for directions, framed by the view of the incredible gothic town hall; the pissing boy, frozen solid, surounded by souvenir shops selling statues twice the size of the original; sitting in silence in a train carriage, as the light failed, and the rocking carriage flickered weird shadows over the dour faces of the other passengers.
And the colours I remember? Black and.... grey. Thats it, nothing else. So, my theory (by Ann Elk brackets miss brackets), is that people are drawn to Brussels because it makes them feel like they have suddenly been thrust into an old Black and White movie. That last image was the strongest for me. A carriage full of people, no one saying a word even when the lights went out, and the play of shadows over their face as we passed through a post-industrial iron tunnel. Every face was blank, drawn into a perpetual frown that is obviously their default state. I swear, it was straight out of Brazil. In fact, a little known fact (little known 'coz I just made it up) is that the film was originally going to be called "Brussels", but they couldn't find any good songs about Brussels to go in the sound track.
(Bruss-elllllllllllsssssss, da da da da da da da daaaaaaaaaaah)
Replies: 5 Comments
On Tuesday, March 30th, at 12:05 PST, the princess said:
You took this right out of the michelin guide didn't you!! So, tell us how you really feel Chris. Don't hold anything back now. I'm wagering my plans of brussel sprouts for dinner should be changed? I'll just take back the pissing boy statue I got as well. I have a feeling I will be hearing Brussellllllllssss around the house quite a bit. 
On Tuesday, March 30th, at 16:15 PST, Gabrielle said:
Well, well,well!!! My memories of Brussels were much 'gayer' than yours as I was there in the summer, and I remember people walking around the big town square near the Pissing Boy and wearing t-shirts and eating ice-creams!! Lots of music in the background and people generally looking very happy!
About the movie Brazil... Maybe you didn't know this about me and Damien but we actually lived in the big building that they used on several occasions in the movie and even have pictures to prove it to you! Very modern building whose architect is a Spaniard named Ricardo de Bofil. It was used for many things whilst we lived there such as the music video for Stephanie of Monaco when she was doing her pop diva era and also Michel Berger!!!
On Tuesday, March 30th, at 16:24 PST, Mother said:
Chris, the first time you were in Brussels was 1974 and none of us liked it then either. An unfriendly sort of place we thought but not as drab, black and grey as Lisbon where everyone was very serious (except the taxi drivers who were demented!)
On Tuesday, March 30th, at 16:51 PST, Rev Dr said:
Tann, I'll agree with the B&W movie thang; well put.
But you didn't say anthing about those wonderful cobbled streets or
THE BEER!!!
On Tuesday, March 30th, at 18:52 PST, Bellamy said:
I hope you're not accusing me of liking Brussels, my friend. The only thing I liked about it was the fact that it stayed on my right, all the way around that damned ring road.
PS: At least in terms of traffic flow, the Antwerp ring road is far superior. Anybody else got a preferred Belgian orbital?
PPS: When you're trying to get to Amsterdam and the sign says Liege 175, remember the following, from which you may draw some conclusions about where you're headed:
1. Belgium is 150km across, and 180km diagonally.
2. Liege is famous for being one of the first places the Germans reached in WW1, and despite the heroism of its defenders suffered the consequences of being waypoint one in the Schlieffen Plan.
