Journey Around The Globe

A day in the palace – Versailles, France

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Globe Runner

We went to Versailles in September of 2011. The trip was just for a weekend. We have been to Paris before but never went on top of Eiffel Tower. So, Saturday evening we went up to Eiffel Tower and Sunday we spent the whole day wandering around Versailles Palace inside and out. Versailles is not too far from Paris, may be an hour drive depending on the traffic. But it is worth spending a day looking few centuries back and feeling the luxurious lifestyle the kings and queens enjoyed once.

Just to give you a brief history on Versailles Palace, this was the center of political power in France from 1682 (when King Louis XIV moved here from Paris) to 1789 (when the royal family was forced to return to the capital). This palace is a symbol of absolute monarchy of Old Regime of France. This has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site for being one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art.

Hope you will enjoy the pictures:

Statue near the main entrance of Versailles Palace

The palace contains more than 7500 paintings and drawings, and 5210 pieces of furniture

King's Bedroom, which was created by Louis XIV and he lived here until his death in 1715 — King’s Bedroom, which was created by Louis XIV and he lived here until his death in 1715

Queen Marie Antoinette's Bedroom — Queen Marie Antoinette’s Bedroom

Queen's Guards Room — Queen’s Guards Room

The staircase of Versailles Palace in France

Statues on the hall before entering King's daughter's apartment — Statues on the hall before entering King’s daughter’s apartment

Walking into a Fantasy, The Palace of Versailles – The Chateau de Versailles (parisfrancehotel.wordpress.com)
Remembering Paris:: Garden envy (whitetshirtsandpetals.wordpress.com)
Palace of Versailles (travelingparis.wordpress.com)

10 Fun Facts About Belgium

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Globe Runner

94 Comments

Belgium is a tiny country in Europe compare to some other big ones like Spain, Italy, Germany, France, U.K. But despite it’s size, this place has many things to offer including waffles, chocolates, diamonds, french fries, and many more countless things. No wonder this country is known as the “Essence of Europe“. I came across these facts on Belgium here and there. Most of them I experienced after being here for a while but some other facts I collected from various different places. eNjOy …

1) A country without Government: Yep, it is scary, but Belgium had no official government for close to 2 years now. No worries, everything is working just fine. The country is being run by a caretaker government.

2)Belgian Chocolates: Belgium produces around 220,000 tonnes of chocolate every year. That means, 22 kg of chocolate is consumed per person per year or 61 grams per day on an average. The world’s biggest chocolate selling point is Brussels National Airport (aha, not any Swiss airports. What does that tell you?)

3) The diamond capital: The world’s main diamond center and second largest petrochemical center is in Belgium. Almost 90% of raw diamonds in the world are negotiated, polished, and distributed in Antwerp, Belgium.

4) 3 official languages: Belgium has 3 official languages. Majority people speak Flemish, which is a local dialect of Dutch, then French is the 2nd most popular, finally very small percent of Belgians (may be 1%) speak German. Luckily, most of the locals can speak Flemish and French very well along with English in cities like Brussels, Brugges, Gent or Antwerpen…good for the expats.

5) Education Law: Education is compulsory in Belgium upto the age of 18, which is the highest in the world.

6) Heart of Europe: Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but also the capital of European Union (EU) and houses the headquarter of NATO. That’s why Brussels is called the “Heart of Europe”.

7) Royal Palace of Brussels: The Royal Palace of Brussels is 50% longer than Buckingham Palace.

8) Quality of Education: A 2007 UNICEF report on child well-being in rich countries ranked Belgium as the best country for children’s education well-being.

9) Belgian Frites: Belgians should be given credit for their “French Fries“. It wasn’t France who came up with fries at the first place. Foreign soldiers in Belgium saw French speaking people eating/serving fries (“frites” is what we call here) and that’s where the “French Fries” name came from. Oh, one more thing, in Belgium fries are eaten with mayonnaise, not ketchup, which actually tastes wayyy better.

10) Belgian Waffles: There are 3 main sorts of Belgian waffles: Liege waffles, the most common ones and are eaten more like cookies, have small bites of sugar cyrtals in them. Brussels waffles, my favorite ones, are usually bigger, lighter, rectangular, and eaten with various toppings like fruits, ice cream, nutella. Galettes, haven’t tried this yet, are thinner, softer, and typically eaten for breakfast, sometimes with jam.

Along with the above facts, a Belgian – Adolphe Sax invented saxophone, the first printed newspaper was published in 1605 in Belgium, oil painting was invented here in the 15th century. One more thing I have to mention is that Belgium produces the highest number of comic books in the world (even more than Japan). Belgians are so crazy about comics books that the even have a museum dedicated to those comic lovers. One of the most famous comic hero is Tintin (remember him?), who was a Belgian…

Waffle Makers To Make Terrific Waffles For Anyone In Your Household (mydecorarticles.com)
Belgian Chocolates Are Best Enjoyed in Belgium (seattlefoodshed.wordpress.com)
Belgian Fries (neatorama.com)
Wafels & Dinges Introduces De Kompleet Wafel Kit (prweb.com)
Bonjour from the parliament! (theeuropecorrespondents.wordpress.com)

La Chandeleur – Happy Crêpe day

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Globe Runner

3 Comments

Last week, February 2nd, was La Chandeleur or Candelmas day for French Catholics. It is a day to celebrate the presentation of Jesus to the temple 40 days after his birth (Christmas Day) and the purification of Virgin Mary after giving birth. This is a very popular celebration in France, Belgium, and I think, also in the surrounding French speaking regions. The tradition is to eat crêpes for dinner on that night, but only after 8 p.m. As my French teacher Kristine was saying, usually the dinner starts with ham, cheese and other finger foods. Then eventually they will have variety of savory crêpes followed by some sweet crêpes for desserts. Not to mention, in the old days the feast was celebrated with fresh home-made crêpes, but now a days people can buy different variety of ready-made crêpes from the stores. Another tradition that goes with La Chandeleur is to flip the crêpe with one hand while holding a coin in the other hand. If the cook can catch the crêpe in the pan, his/her family will be prosperous for the rest of the year.

One of my favorite French desserts - Crepe — One of my favorite French desserts - Crêpes

This is very similar to the Groundhog Day in North America. La Chandeleur also predicts when the winter will be over and the spring will begin.

What better way to celebrate this day than having lots and lots of crêpes. I try not to miss having my share of crêpe when in Paris. I know I am late, but we are still in February. So, Bonne Chandeleur to everyone.

French Candlemas – La Chandeleur – Crêpe Day (monecole-frenchschool.com)
Happy Fête de la Chandeleur! (jimmcneill.wordpress.com)
Crêpe Day: February 2 (alannapeebles.wordpress.com)
France = Le Chandeleur and Pennsyltucky = Groundhog Day (frenchtwistedwoman.com)
A snowy, frigid Crêpe Day (ckenb.blogspot.com)
Happy Crêpe Day, France! Recipe & Video (bohopearlcdm.wordpress.com)
Happy Chandeleur! (designmom.com)

Homesick for no reason

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Globe Runner

4 Comments

Its been about 5 months since we moved to Belgium. At first I didn’t want to go back to the States, because I was just enjoying this life abroad too much. But after being here for few months now, I must admit I miss my home badly. I mean, I am extremely missing everything about America. My home, my neighborhood, my work, the surroundings, familiar faces, speaking English, last but not least TACO BELL (their Mexican Pizza and chalupa) …. everything. We came to Brussels for 2 years (well, atleast 2 years, may be 3/4 years… who knows) but now it seems too long. Even my 6 years old daughter is homesick sometimes. She is enjoying her school way more than I expected here in Tervuren, Belgium. But when she comes home, she keeps talking about how she could do things back in the States that she can’t do here. Also, We have visited too many places in a very short time after moving here (we are very lucky in that sense). But even that is enough for now. I forgot some of the places we have gone to earlier this year or even middle of this year. My daughter already hates going to the airport and flying a plane. I can’t blame her. She went to places with us that sometimes don’t even interest her. Other than flying, luckily she does like visiting new cities, staying in the hotels, eating out, and buying souvenirs (just like her mom :)) Also, as everyone says, and I know it too, she is being exposed to so many different cultures, religious, and people, that it will shape her personality in a very unique way. Hopefully that will make her someone who is very flexible and open to everything.

But back to what I was saying, I am really, really missing my home in Portland, OR. Then again, that’s what happens when you move to a new place. I remember when I moved to the States in my early teen years. First couple months I liked everything about America… the school, the stores, people, the fact that I could drive at 16 years of age, all the junk food from the menu of American fast food restaurants, and finally, the freedom that came without any costs and boundaries. Then a phase came, when I was missing Bangladesh so much that I wanted to leave my parents, siblings behind and just go back to Bangladesh where I grew up. That period didn’t last for too long either. I still missed Bangladesh at heart, but at the same time I started enjoying all the things that America had to offer me. I was young and reckless, wanted to do anything and everything to see how much I can spoil myself. And America was THE place for it. Then as time passed by, the childhood time in Bangladesh were nothing but sweet memories. I missed that country but didn’t want to go back there again.

So now… I don’t want to visit new places anymore, don’t want to learn French , don’t want to memorize anymore new Dutch words, don’t want to be too far away from my home, don’t want be an ex-pat anymore… Uhhh, fortunately, I know these feelings will change shortly 🙂 I will give it about couple more months, then I know, I will enjoy living this European life again. And that will be a permanent feeling. Then a time will come when we have to go back to the States and I will miss this present life of Belgium very much. Yep, that’s life. We don’t know what future holds for us, that’s why we keep missing our past, thinking our past was the best thing that ever happened to us. If we only knew that may be, just MAY BE, future is better than the past, then we don’t have to go through this feeling of emptiness.

Ok, Ciao for now