2015 has gotten off to a really good start, one fitting my current life here in Europe. I spent Silvester, or New Year's Eve, with friends, and we rang in the new year setting off fireworks in the street and dancing together. I was smiling and laughing for the first hours of 2015.
I then spent four days with Lydia in Brussels, staying with a family friend of hers who very generously offered us a place to stay and tours of Bruges, Brussels, and Antwerp. Only a native could show us around so well! The weather was, for the most part, unusually sunny for January, which was perfect for spending hours outside exploring.
I was struck by several things in Belgium. First, the mix of cultures and languages. I think this is distinctly European, but we don't have it quite as much where I live, though certainly more than in the US. Pre-20th century Europe consisted of many kingdoms and empires, and the modern-day borders haven't existed for so long. What is geographically today Germany, however, has long been populated by German-speakers, whereas Belgium, though a small country, consists of different communities that speak different languages. Brussels is predominantly French-speaking, and Antwerp Dutch (though they are less than an hour apart). Most everything throughout the country is written in both French and Dutch, sometimes with German as well.
Lydia and I were immersed into this multi-cultural world as soon as we arrived. We were picked up by friends Bruno and his daughter Celine. Bruno and his wife are both Belgian, but he grew up speaking Dutch and she French, and they speak French at home. We went to an audio-guided museum in Bruges on our first afternoon, and Celine took her audio guide in French, Bruno in Dutch, Lydia in English, and I in German. Needless to say, the woman helping us was confused as to how we could be one group!
I was also amazed by the architecture I saw on our trip. Honestly, I didn't have very much of a picture of Belgium in my head beforehand. I knew I had to go to the place to get a better feel for it, but everything really was so much more beautiful than I've seen in any photos. Really, if you get the opportunity, go see Brussels and Bruges!
The drawing at the top is a part of the king's royal palace in Brussels. Below is the old stock exchange building, which is now used for exhibitions. I drew this from down the street a little, because I liked the way the one grandiose structure is bordered by the other buildings on the street I'm siting in.
Also fitting well into the spirit of the city was the classical trio of violin, viola, and cello that we came across. The music was beautiful to listen to as I looked around, watching the sparse winter afternoon sunshine catch and illuminate the crowns of the buildings against a blue sky. Each house is unique, which creates a pictures that fun to look at and imagine the history of all of the people who have stood where I am standing.
With that, I've completed my little red sketchbook. It tells a lot of stories, and I can already see that I've developed since I started it less than two months ago. I'm ready to see where my next one will take me!
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