Anderlecht and its cafés

A recent post on the "beguinage/begijnhof" of Anderlecht by fellow blogger Vagabonde, born and raised in Paris and now living in Georgia (U.S.), made me notice the béguinage café and incited me to post pictures of cafés in Anderlecht, located just South of Brussels. 
Her blog "Recollections of a Vagabonde" is worth a detour.  Have a look at her post in which she describes everything you could ever want to know about the phenomenon "béguinage/begijnhof".
http://avagabonde.blogspot.com/2011/06/brussels-commune-in-anderlecht.html

Coal mines in Limburg

The towers in Eisden (Limburg province) near the Dutch border and Maastricht, are evidence of a rich mining past. Coal mining was an important business immediately after the turn of the previous century. Workers were brought in from everywhere, but after World War II mainly from Italy. Many stayed permanently, and today this area still has many residents of Italian descent.

The mines in Eisden were closed in 1987 because of the decline in the coal market.  Unemployment in the area rose to high levels as a result. 

Today the Government has a number of projects aiming to stimulate 

the economy of the region. 

The neo-classical baroque style building, which dates from 1931, housed the mines management and secretariat. The beautifully kept French gardens form an interesting contrast with the ornate building and the functional towers. 

Colorful 80 something

I believe she said that her age was 86 ... in any event it is 80 something. In Brussels, these colors look rather unusual, striking. I therefore did what I often like to do: ask permission, ask questions trying not to be impolite or nosy or rude and take a picture ... just one, and hope that it will turn out right. 
The lady in the picture is originally from Hungary but she has travelled and lived all over the world. Her favorite places are Argentina and Peru. The clothes and shoulder bags she is wearing are handmade from Peruvian cloth. She says that colors keep her going and are a necessity for her, that they have  a sort of healing power. Tomorrow, she said, she might be dressed in a totally different outfit with colors that do not look anything like today's. She is knowledgeable about Chinese medicine, does not use the Internet, does not wish to be close to cameras, which is why she looked up and away.  It is her belief that magnetic waves, whether they come from cameras, the internet, telephones or what not, will prevent her soul from traveling very far very soon. 

Ommegang

Today the Ommegang took place in Brussels. I have to admit that I had sort of forgotten about it and I regret not having taken the time for a decent photo session. These pictures were made somewhat in a hurry, I took them from my car, driving by the preparation of the festivities on the Sablon, where a medieval village was being created. 

The Ommegang today is a time for festivities, fun, theater, shows, knights combat on foot and on horses. Grandiose spectacle and magnificent costumes of the times recreate history. The participants play the roles of Charles V, Mary of Austria etc, and are said to be their descendants or descendants of the nobility.

"The Ommegang was originally established to commemorate the transfer of the miraculous statue of "Notre-Dame sur la Branche", who was worshipped in the Antwerp Cathedral. Over the years this commemorative procession has lost its religious character and has become a parade whose aim is to show the different reliquaries of Brussels.
Nowadays the Parade of the Ommegang is one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles in Belgium. It takes place at 21h on the prestigious setting of the Grand'Place, which is ablaze with light and recalls the pomp and ceremony of a splendid celebration held there to honour Charles V and his Court (16th century)".

http://www.bruxelles-tourisme.be/informations/events_bruxelles__ommegang/en/E/19363.html

http://ommegang.be/index2.php?idx=2&lg=enhttp://ommegang.be/index2.php?idx=2&lg=en 

No pictures

I very much like to photograph people. When I started this blog, I made a point out of following the rule that people's wishes and their privacy should be respected.  I therefore almost always explain why I am taking pictures and ask permission to post the photo on a blog. 
In this case, however,  I decided to ignore the "no photos" request as, in any event,  the picture does not reveal the identity ... also, I like the photographs, regardless of the mysterious man behind paper and hands.

July 4

"Today,  the Fourth of July, the American national holiday, the Embassy of the United States teams up with “Serve the City” for volunteer service in Brussels.This morning Ambassador of the United States Howard Gutman (here at the microphone) and a team of Embassy volunteers put themselves at the disposal of Serve the City, as part of that association’s Big Volunteer Week, from July 2 to July 9. This group helps out at one of Serve the City’s projects for the less fortunate".
http://belgium.usembassy.gov/july42011.html
Happy 4th to all Americans worldwide!

Yellow jersey

Happy smile on a sunny Sunday, celebrating the victory of Philippe Gilbert, winner of the first stage of the Tour de France.