Place of the Week

Belgium

• chocolate
• beer
• flemish fries
• waffles

I know those aren't the only reasons to check out this often forgotten country, but there really is so much here in this magical place. Check out the "Brussels Flower Carpet" from August 12-15, 2006. You will see 800,000 begonias covering the cobbled stones of The Royal Place. Each year the theme is different, this year it is a carpet, signifying the end of the Middle Ages. It is kept a highly guarded secret until 4 hours before the 100 highly skilled gardeners have worked their magic. You can view it from the balcony of the Town Hall where you are charged a low admission fee.

Bruges in Flanders also seems like a magnificent city. It was once a medieval powerhouse and has still not lost its elegance. The town center is completely cut off from car traffic so you can really enjoy the city without the noise and pollutants. There are many boat or walking tours however, so you can always get around.

Sand Sculpture Festival

Bruges 2006 (August 1- September 17 2006) at the City Center Station Park

This looks pretty cool, every year there is a different theme to the Festival. This year it's "Bruges a Story of More than 1000 Years".

The traditional french fries are a very important part of Belgian culture. While many think that the French invented the fry, this is not true. Fry stands have been photographed since the 18th century in Belgium, and written about since the 1680s.

The "Frietkot" or fry shack was something that you would see on every street corner in the 1980s, however, the government has urged the removal of these shacks for both design and hygeine purposes. However, if you search very hard, you just might still get lucky and find one. Oh and remember, if you plan on having fries every day in Belgium, get fries that are cut thicker, that way the'll have absorbed less fat!

For more info on Belgian Fries visit http://www.belgianfries.com and be sure to have some fries when you get to Belgium!!