lavandula

Oh, excuse my terrible spelling, the street for Le Perroquet is Rue Watteeu and not Watteeuw (eeuw is Dutch for century). Have lots of fun in Belgium, you will have a blast in Brussels at the very least!

Lavandula

lavandula

I just found this article in the Sydney Morning Herald about the war history around Ypres as it relates to Australians, but it might make some interesting background reading for you:

https://www.traveller.com.au/the-rem...r-grave-h12r01

It is a long read - WWI history has I guess what you might call 'foundational myth' status in Australia. It was Australia's first war and one around which young Australians of the era defined themselves. Nevertheless the article has a lot of general information which might help you connect some of the dots about your own journey.

Lavandula

northie

great article Lavendula. We did a similar trip in 2015.

GKS

Thank you Lavandula! That was a fascinating read and actually very helpful. It mentioned "iron harvests" (all the shells etc left in the ground in Belgium) which reminded me of this article I just read. I don't know if you get The NY Times or could access it via a few free articles, but I thought this was interesting too and will post it just in case you're into reading more about the area etc: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/27/w...huL2eA_U541x58

lavandula

Thanks for posting this, GKS, I was able to read it. It's certainly an oppressive history, isn't it? And one that keeps on being researched and read about. I was surprised when I was there that the locals still observe Anzac Day (25 April, if you will be there at that time, it's usually a series of memorial celebrations in all the small towns culminating in the Last Post in Ypres) and that it is very much a living celebration, but of course with all these constant reminders being regurgitated from the soil.

In Germany too they keep digging up bombs (from WWII, not WWI). They call them 'Blindgänger', 'blind go-ers' and every so often one explodes while being diffused. The war isn't over while live munitions are still going off, it just keeps on going.

Send any articles my way, I find this fascinating, and I think there will be a core of other Fodorites who find this similarly interesting.

Lavandula

GKS

I will! I have a lot bookmarked for my research so when I'm at that computer again I'll look through them. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wish we were there during Anzac Day, but I think we'll just miss it.

GKS

Has anyone been here? Looks like a worthy visit, to keep this place alive! https://www.brusselstimes.com/art-cu...ls-surrealists

lavandula

I haven't, but there are a number of old-time cafés in Brussels - there is one that is home to a puppet show but is also a bar which is also on the dusty side (Toone). There are also (cleaner) old-time cafés (cafés are where you get alcohol rather than just coffee) which get a lot of foot traffic (Falstaff, Le Cirio, À La Morte Subite). They are famous for their authentic interiors. Le Cirio and Falstaff are more like restaurants. So there is a culture of preservation around these institutions, which I think is kind of nice. If you visit, write a TR!

Lavandula

GKS

Thank you! I will! I'm still hoping our trip will happen. We're supposed to go April 7th, so that gives the covid situation time to hopefully improve.

lavandula

I will keep my fingers crossed for you and your family!

Lavandula