Not every bakery has a statue outside like this…

A “booze-bike”: Street scene near the university, students on a drinking binge at start of term.

Old tram in Antwerp. The “booze-bike” veering off to the right in the background…

Long “bendy bus” turning into the Antwerp centeral bus station.

The Antwerp Cathedral. Statues of stonemasons.

Crucifix shrine in the old town area of Antwerp

Quiet weekday morning in the old town of Antwerp. Catering workers taking a break…

Tourist Information Office at Grote Markt. Building reminds me of Prague…

The Politie (Police) on their bikes.

Elaborate interior of the Stadfeestzaal or City Festival Hall. Now serves as a shopping mall with restaurants and a champaigne bar in the middle.

Street sculpture in Antwerp. This one’s called “de Neus” or “the Nose”.

A street scene repeated many times in Antwerp. A line of buildings with a house missing in between, held up by scaffolding. Often indicates where a V1 or V2 rocket bomb fell in Antwerp towards the end of World War Two.

Street scene in the Diamond District near the Central Station. Orthodox Jew crossing the road…

Figurine up on the wall of a building

That’s all for now!

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NOTE: The sale is now over as all items now now been found new homes.

My thanks to the buyers and also to those who expressed an interest!

I’m in the middle of moving apartment and I’m clearing out a lot of my stuff.

All the items listed below I’m selling for cash.

Only condition is that all items must be collected by the buyer. Location is 2600 Berchem-Antwerpen (Berchem district in Antwerp, not Berchem in Brussels). Payment by cash on collection.

So take a look at the list below and grab yourself a bargain. Strictly first come, first served.

Click on the photos to enlarge.

To purchase any of the items listed below, simply drop me a mail via the contact link

Click Here to Email Me

PS Items are selling fast. If you want to buy any of the items listed, you need to be quick!  Items no longer available are marked “SOLD”

Samsung Fridge-Freezer, 2 door   SOLD

Model: RL34SCPS

Storage Capacity: 286 Litres, (Fridge 201 Litres, Freezer 85 Litres)

Dimensions: Width 595mm, Height: 1775mm, Depth: 646mm, Net Weight: 70kg

Colour: Platinum Silver,

with recessed door handles,.temperature control, interior light,

4 refridgerator shelves

plus fruit/veg drawer

3 freezer drawers

Instruction Manual for this model is available online at the Samsung Website at:

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200801/20080108100758187_W07.pdf

approx 3 years old.

In good condition and full working order

only 145 Euros  SOLD

Want to buy? Click Here to Email Me!

LG Washing Machine SOLD

Make &Model: LG WD-1248 OTP

Maximum 7kg load

3 Years old, in full working order

including instruction handbook in Dutch and French

Only 245 Euros

Want to buy? SOLD Click Here to Email Me!

IKEA Leather 2-seater Sofa SOLD

Model: IKEA KARLSTAD

in brown leather

Very good condition

Cost 700 Euros new

Only 2 years old

Only 299 Euros

Want to buy? SOLD  Click Here to Email Me!

Double bed SOLD

Frame size: 205 x 145 cm.

With wooden/particleboard frame and metal head frame

Including spring/foam mattress with zip cover

(zipper is missing from one side).

Zip cover has been laundered clean.

Good used condition.

5 years old

Frame will be dismantled flat for collection

Only 39 Euros 

Want to buy? SOLD  Click Here to Email Me!

AOC Computer Monitor  SOLD

Model: AOC F22+

21.5 inch, 1920×1080 maximum resolution 

with VGA and DVI-D sockets 

Horizontal Frequency Range 30-80KHz, Vertical Frequency Range 56-75Hz

Only 1 Year old, in good condition and in full working order

Plus 3 metre VGA cable and mains cable

with original box and DVD containing Drivers, Software & User Guide

Only 59 Euros

Want to buy? SOLD  Click Here to Email Me!

HP Printer/Scanner/Photocopier SOLD

Model F2480

Prints colour and black and white, including photo quality

In full working order

Only 1 year old

Plus fitted colour and black cartridges (partially used)

With original box, instructions, DVD software,

mains cable & USB cable.

Only 19 Euros

Want to buy? SOLD  Click Here to Email Me!

CISCO Wi-Fi router Linksys E1000

Only 2 years old

PLUS 4-way socket extension block and 5 Metre Ethernet Cable

In full working order

Only 29 Euros

Want to buy? Click Here to Email Me!

Ventilating Fan SOLD

Make:CMI

40Watt, 3 settings

Only 5 Euros

Want to buy? Click Here to Email Me!

Bistro Table SOLD

90 cm diameter, 74 cm high

Only 29 Euros

Want to buy? SOLD  Click Here to Email Me!

Pair of 2 Folding Chairs SOLD

Metal frame

with plastic cover/foam upholstered seat & back

Only 15 Euros for the pair

Want to buy? Click Here to Email Me!

AEG Cyclone XL Bagless Vacuum Cleaner SOLD

Model: Cyclone XL

Colour: Blue & Silver

2KW maximum power

No bag needed. With HEPA filtration

Large wheels for good manoeverability

Sold as shown with no other accessories.

Has been cleaned ready for new owner.

Powerful vacuum cleaner in full working order,

Only 29 Euros

Want to buy? SOLD Click Here to Email Me!

Mirror with wooden frame with gilt line.

Size: 77 x 57cm including frame

Some of the gilt colour has faded at one point on the frame

Only 5 Euros

Want to buy? Click Here to Email Me!

IKEA Fire Extinguisher SOLD

Unused, only 1 year old

Only 5 Euros

Want to buy? SOLD Click Here to Email Me!

IKEA Desk Lamp

with in-line switch and low energy bulb

1 year old

Only 5 Euros

Want to buy? Click Here to Email Me!

Set of 2 Bamboo Blinds

Size: 170 x 120 cm

in full working order

Only 5 Euros

Want to buy? Click Here to Email Me!

Folding Metal Ladder – 3 Step + Platform SOLD

Dimensions:
Height to top of Frame: 148cm
Height to Platform: 94cm

Only 19 Euros

Want to buy?SOLD Click Here to Email Me!

To purchase any of the items listed, click here to Email me

Image Attribution: “For Sale” image courtesy of AKZOphoto

Here are some photos I took of my favourite city in Belgium – Antwerp….

You can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.

Kicking off with the old centre of town, here’s the Grote Markt or Main Square.

It’s lined with beautiful old Flemish-style merchant houses. Most of them nowadays are restaurants and bars. The statue in the middle is Brabo who’s the kind of mascot of Antwerp!

He’s throwing the hand he cut off a giant who according to legend, used to lie in wait at the river Schelde in Antwerp to demand tolls from passing ships.

It’s said that the name Antwerp means “hand throw” or “hand werpen” in Dutch.

Another pic of Grote Markt…

And here’s Brabo, the hand-thrower. In front of the City town hall on Grote Markt…

Front of the church on Hendrik Conscience Plein

Inside the Antwerp Central Station. It’s a bit like a cathedral inside, grand 19th century style. They really went to town on designing this building!

This is the roof of the station!

Below is a shot of the new station platform area. The station has been given a major modification and expansion. It used to be a terminus, but it’s now a through station with a tunnel for the high speed trains from Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam to pass through without having to reverse.

To do this they created this deep platform area which reaches down to the tunnels, with the lines and platforms now stacked on either side like shelves above each other.

On either side at ground level there is a shopping mall and a new diamond mall for jewellery shops. Antwerp is a world-famous diamond centre and the station is located in the middle of the diamond trading district.

The renovation has been successful in retaining the beautiful old Antwerp station and at the same time expanding the station to meet the modern day needs of Antwerp.

Entrance to Chinatown in Antwerp. There’s now a beautiful red and gold classical Chinese gate next to the lions. Just to the right you can just see my favourite Chinese noodle soup shop, they do excellent Wan Tun noodle soup. If you’re visiting Antwerp and like Chinese food, then this place is well worth a visit!

Another shot of Chinatown.

The university area. One of the many cartoon murals you see on buildings in Antwerp. This one is from a cartoon series about a Belgian called Kiekeboe (which is Dutch for peek-a-boo!).

A close up pic of the Kiekeboe mural, with the Virgin Mary on the corner. You see a lot of those in the old town district in Antwerp.

Old mediaeval lanes in the old town area of Antwerp.

Antwerp’s Stadfeestzaal or City Festival Hall – now a shopping mall.

That’s all for now.

I have loads more pics of Antwerp. I’ll try and assemble some more for later on.

All images copyright Kevin Wells

The other week I did a quick list of my Top Ten Favourite Things About Belgium.

Well now it’s time for my Top Ten Least Favourite Things About Belgium (slightly tongue in cheek).

Here goes…

1. Belgium. (No, only joking

1. Drabness.

A lot of Belgium is just so goddamn grey. Streets and buildings. Many of the railway stations as well.

But also the way many people dress. There seems to be a preference for grey, brown and black.

I guess the drab appearance of the place is partly to do with the weather. Maybe many Belgians themselves don’t even realize it. They just copy each other in their choice of clothing colours.

2.  Too high taxes.

Say no more. Who wouldn’t disagree with this one.

3. Too Many Strikes.

Belgian public sector workers seem too ready to strike at the drop of a hat. The railway workers even strike when there’s an accident, which to an English person is pretty odd.

There was even once a strike of supermarket workers at one of the big chains. Workers were picketing outside trying to block customers from using the supermarket trolleys!

Or striking firemen hosing down the government buildings with high pressure water jets. Another thing that’s happened a few times since I’ve been here.

The level of worker bolshy-ness seems to be higher here than in Germany or the UK. It’s more like France in that respect.

4. Little dog mania.

I don’t mind medium or larger sized dogs, but it’s this obsession in Belgium with keeping little lapdogs that repulses. Mark Mardell of the BBC when he was based in Brussels referred to it as  “a revolting Francophone habit”.  But it seems as prevalent in Flanders as in Wallonia or France.

In any case, real men prefer real dogs.

5. Petit Pays, Petits Gens.  

Or “Little country, little people”. There’s a kind of small town, small time atmosphere about much of Belgium, at least outside Brussels. It can be a bit tedious at times.

There’s the mania for keeping little dogs I already mentioned.

And apart from the public sector worker bolshy-ness, the average Belgian, the average student, the average young person doesn’t seem very inclined to demonstrate or take to the streets, let alone riot about anything.

Unlike say in Britain. Eg students in London, or the inner city riots in the summer in England. Or the May Day riots in Berlin.

Maybe the Belgian penchant for home-owning has something to do with it. Owner occupiers are too busy doing bricolage/doe-het-zelf – or else walking their little dogs, to be bothered to go out and demonstrate.

Let alone riot about anything.

6. Surprisingly Insular.

In some ways, eg TV channels, knowledge of languages, Belgium seems more international than Germany. But in other ways I find it more provincial here than I expected.

Since Belgium is so small, I had this vision of Belgians being very cosmopolitan European.

Yet many seem surprised when they meet someone, eg like me, who’s lived in different European countries.  I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been told I’m “exotic” for coming from England and having lived in Belgium and Germany.

Come on now – exotic? Surely Belgium and Germany are hardly exotic!

7. Restricted Shop Opening Hours.

This one was a surprise.

Even in orderly rule-bound Germany shops can now stay open whenever they like (with the sole exception of Sundays). Discount sales can also now take place at any time of the year in Germany, just as in England.

But not in Belgium. Things still lag behind in both these respects. The closed shop still rules.

8. Poor Condition of Infrastructure.  

Rundown buildings, worn out street surfaces with holes everywhere. And how long they take to complete their road repairs and reconstruction projects. Things proceed very leisurely.

And everything is left standing after about 4pm in the afternoon and nothing happens at all at weekends, no matter how important the roadworks or the location.

9. The high cost of many things.

Other than lower housing costs than in the Netherlands or UK, many other things here are  more expensive.  Meals out for example – though the quality compensates at least partly.

High cost of utilities. The lack of discounting and retail sales I already mentioned. Plus many items in the shops in Belgium cost more than in neighbouring countries.

At least the beer’s cheaper in Belgium.

10. And finally… Boring Belgian Sundays

Now I know what the “B” stands for. Sundays in Belgium are so Boring. Practically everything’s shut. Hardly any shops are open.

This makes the streets in Belgium on Sundays look even more quieter and drabber than normal. A kind of post-nuclear war atmosphere prevails on Sundays.

I know opinions vary as regards whether Sundays should be quiet and dead or more lively and bustling like in England..

Give me the more lively English Sunday to the dead-and-alive variant they have over here in Belgium any day – but especially Sunday.

Image courtesy of fdecomite

Every year in Belgium, Carnival is celebrated for three days on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday.

It’s an event that’s been celebrated for centuries.

It’s thought to have it’s origins in heathen times, as a ritual held to drive out the dark Winter spirits and encourage the beginning of Spring.

Carnival is a very colourful and lively occasion, with processions of floats and participants in colourful costumes – and plenty to eat and drink.

There are three well-known Carnival centres in Belgium which are especially worth visiting – in Binche, Aalst and Halle.  Each of these three towns attract large crowds of visitors during Carnival. This year Carnival will be taking place on the 19th, 20th and 21st February 2012.

The Carnival of Binche

The Wallonian town of Binche is the location of the most well known Carnival in Belgium.

The highlight of the Binche Carnival is it’s strange army of clown-like performers known as Gilles who appear on Shrove Tuesday. The Gilles wear a characteristic costume with wax masks. On the final day of Carnival they dance in the centre of Binche.

Traditionally this performance is held to ward off evil spirits and drive out winter. Later in the day they wear ostrich plume hats and distribute oranges to the visitors lining the streets. You’ll need to stay alert to make sure you don’t get hit in the face by an orange as the oranges are thrown at the crowds!

The Carnival of Aalst

The Aalst Carnival is not so well-known amongst visitors to Belgium, since Binche tends to get all the international publicity, but it’s still a big spectacular event.

Whilst in Binche oranges are thrown to the crowds, in Aalst it’s onions. However, nowadays they’ve long been replaced by sweet confectionery in the shape of an onion.

On the final day of the Aalst Carnival there’s also a big dressing up spectacle – traditionally also involving drag or cross-dressing.

The Halle Carnival

This is held in the Flemish town of Halle which is situated just a short distance south west of Brussels.

The Halle Carnival is now also one of the biggest carnivals in Belgium and it’s well worth visiting if you’re in the capital at the time.

All the Carnivals are free to visitors.

See the official city websites for more information about the Carnival events that will be taking place.

Aalst: www.aalst.be

Binche: www.binche.be

Halle: www.halle.be

Image courtesy of Martin Terber

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I’ve put together a quick list of the top ten things I like most about Belgium.

So here they are (in no particular order)…

1. Good Food

Much better than in Germany, which was where I lived before. The Germans (and the Dutch) just don’t have any feeling for good food. At least, it’s low down on their list of priorities in life.

Here in Belgium you get really good food served practically everywhere. Even if it costs quite a bit more than in Germany. Not to mention great frites. And chocolate. And waffles.

2. Great Beer

Again – this might surprise some people, but Belgian beer beats German beer hands down. Belgium has what must be the world’s widest selection of really good beers. Even in the average bar or cafe you can be sure to find a good selection of quality beers.

Whereas in Germany it was usually just a choice between some bland lager beer or else a “Weizen” (of which you have the choice “dark or light”). Or else a Becks (yawn). It got very boring.

Here in Belgium you’ll never get bored with the beer selection. There are so many excellent beers to choose from, it would take you a lifetime to sample them all.

3. Easy-going People

Again I have to compare with Germany here. People are much less busy-body in public. Much more live and let live and not so uptight and self-righteous. Have to say I find that a pleasant change. They also have more of a sense of humour.

4. Very International

For such a small country – or maybe it’s because Belgium is such a small country, Belgium is much more international than Germany.

Belgians speak other languages especially English, often very well. They know what’s going on outside Belgium.  They have neighbouring countries TV as standard on cable. And unlike the Germans (and French) they don’t dub their TV programmes – at least not in Flanders (in Wallonia there’s much more dubbing).

5. Low Cost of Housing

Rents and also real estate prices are much lower than in Germany and the Netherlands. Not to mention the UK. That makes a big difference to how much money you have in your pocket.

6. Excellent Health Service

You get health service provision on demand here. No waiting to see a specialist or even need to be referred via a house doctor first, unlike in UK or Netherlands. No waiting lists either.

Health care is paid for at the point of use here, unlike eg Germany or UK. But you get the greater part of the cost refunded by your health fund.

Also, the cost of health insurance, at least for basic coverage, is much lower than in Germany, where health insurance premium charges are absolutely looney.

7. Excellent and Cheap Public Transport

You can reach practically anywhere by public transport. The national rail network covers most of the country and fares are relatively low compared to Germany and the UK.

8. Lower Cost of Living

I have to partially qualify this. Some things are cheaper than elsewhere as mentioned above, such as public transport, health care, rents and real estate prices. Beer is cheaper than in UK or Germany. And there’s no TV license unlike UK or Germany (at least not in Flanders).

But other things are more expensive. For example eating out. Many items in shops also cost more than in Germany. Sales are more restricted than in Germany or UK as well. And some utility charges such as electricity are also much more expensive.

9. Beautiful Old Town Centres

Most Belgian towns it seems have lovely old medieval town centres or old town areas, especially in Flanders.

10. Belgium is Great for Cyclists

Belgium being mostly flat means that cycling here is easy. The country has an excellent infrastructure for cyclists. There are bike paths and facilities for bikes practically everywhere.

The only thing which isn’t so good are the restrictions on taking bikes on trains – with the exception of those folding commuter bikes.

So that’s my list of top ten likes about Belgium.

In my next post I’ll list the ten things I like least about Belgium!

Image: Ypres, Belgium. Courtesy of net efekt

Planning a visit to Belgium in 2012?

If so, then here’s some basic practical information for your visit…

Entering Belgium

To enter Belgium you need a valid passport with at least 6 months validity.

For EU nationals from countries which form the Schengen Area an ID card is sufficient.

Nationals from EU countries which are not part of the Schengen Area must travel with a valid passport.

Once you have entered the Schengen area, there are usually no further border controls when you travel from one Schengen Area member country to another.

This means that travellers from for example, France, the Netherlands or Germany will not encounter any passport or other checks. Only when you leave or enter the Schengen Area are you subject to passport and customs controls, for example when travelling from the UK to Belgium or vice-versa.

If you are from an EU country, your passport will most likely not be stamped on arrival and departure. You can stay for up to 90 days as a visitor.

Language

French and Dutch are spoken in Brussels, Dutch in Flanders (to the north of Brussels) and French in Wallonia (to the south of Brussels).

Along the border with Germany the language is either French or German.

English is widely spoken, especially in Brussels, so you should have little or no difficulties in communication.

Weather

Belgium has a mild maritime type climate, similar that of the UK.

In practice this means the weather tends to be highly changeable. A day may start off sunny and end up pouring with rain – or vice-versa.

It can be hot and sunny in summer, but a long uninterrupted summer is not a certainly. You should be prepared for rain at any time of the year.

Winters are relatively mild, but there can be cold spells with snow and ice, particularly in the south-east.

The best times to visit weather-wise are May through to September, though these of course are also the most popular times for visitors.

Mobile phones

If your mobile is a tri- or quad-band mobile, then it will work in Belgium. Otherwise it will not. But bear in mind also that you will be charged international call rates even for a local call within Belgium using your mobile.

A better idea is to obtain a Belgian SIM card for the duration of visit. You can buy these from the mobile phone outlets such as Mobistar.

See the article Can I Use My Mobile In Belgium?

Beware when charging your mobile. Belgium has a voltage of twice that of the US: 230 volts versus the US 110 volts.  Don’t plug your charging adapter directly into the mains in Belgium even with a European adapter plug (unless it is multi-voltage).  You will first need a transformer from 110 to 230 volts.

Power supply

Electricity is 230 Volts, 50 Hertz. If you are from North America, then don’t plug in an appliance from home as it will burn out. You will need a voltage transformer for this, as well as a plug adapter, since the plugs in Europe are different to those in the USA and elsewhere.

The sockets and plugs in Belgium sockets are similar to those in other EU countries. However, some sockets in Belgium have a  ”male” earth pin located on the socket side, rather than on the plug itself, like in some other EU countries.

In hotels and hostels, you may be able to plug your shaver into the shaver socket, if there is a voltage switch – but make sure you check the voltage first.

Money

Belgium uses the Euro. The easiest way to obtain Euros is to use your bank or credit card at ATMs and withdraw cash.

Notes are the same in all Euro zone countries, but the inscriptions on the reverse side of the coins varies according to the country of issue. They are all however legal tender in all Euro zone countries.

Belgians rely heavily on electronic cash payment systems – direct debit cards, as well as Bancontact or Proton cards.  These are bank cards which are loaded with a small sum for small payments.

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am or 9am and usually close somewhere between 3.30pm and 5pm. Surprisingly, many branches actually close their doors to the public for lunch, even in Brussels and other large cities.

Fortunately, there is an extensive infrastructure of automated banking machines and cash dispensers to which customers have access around the clock.

Transport

The largest cities and the Belgian coastal towns all have tram (street car) systems. You should purchase your ticket either single, a multiple number of journeys or a day ticket, before you board the tram either from a kiosk or a machine. If you purchase the ticket on board from the driver, you will pay a much higher fare.

The De Lijn tickets are valid for travel throughout Flanders, and the TEC tickets are valid for anywhere within Wallonia. Brussels forms it’s own transit tariff area (known as STIB/MIVB) See the article about Getting Around in Belgium

Train fares are relatively low due to a high level of subsidy. At weekends, train fares throughout Belgium are half price.

Post  

Post offices are mostly open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and only noon on Saturdays. Some of the smaller branches may close for lunch. You often have to take a ticket on entry and await your turn which will be indicated by your ticket number appearing on an electronic display.

Post offices vary from antiquated with staff who still sit behind glass screens to more modern customer friendly outlets.

The postage to send a letter within Belgium or to anywhere else in the EU is 1 Euro.

Shops

Normal shop opening hours are from around 9am until around 5 or 6pm. Smaller shops and shops in outer lying districts and smaller towns often close for lunch, which can mean a break of up to two hours. And for the afternoon open only until 5.30 or 6pm.

Some smaller shops are closed either Monday mornings or all day Mondays.

By law, shops may only hold sales on a couple of specifically designated times of the year.

Sunday trading is largely forbidden and you’ll find very few shops open on a Sunday.

A Belgian peculiarity is the “night shop” (nachtwinkel/magasin de nuit°. This is a small, usually independently run store which sells groceries and small convenience items which is open all night. However, for this concession they have to pay the penance of remaining closed during the day.

Restaurants, Cafes and Bars

Restaurants are generally open around noon until 2pm or sometimes later, although some may not even open until the evening.

Dinner is from around 6pm until approximately 10pm. Cafes and brasseries tend to be serve light dishes throughout the day, from around 10 or 11 am and on until 11pm, midnight or in some cases even later.

There are fewer takeaway outlets to be found than in other countries. It’s also noticeable too how much more expensive eating out is in Belgium compared to say the Netherlands or Germany. However, the quality of the cuisine is higher.

There are no regulations concerning opening hours for bars. There are some which remain open until well into the early hours.

Service charges if any must be included by law. Waiters don’t generally expect tips in Belgium, unlike for instance in Germany.

Smoking

Although Belgium still has a high number of smokers, in public buildings and offices smoking is now prohibited.

Smoking is now no longer permitted in restaurants and bars. It is however still allowed in bars and cafes which provide a separate “smokers room”.

Driving

In Belgium, as in all other Continental European countries, you drive on the right.

If you’re just visiting Belgium, then you can drive with your own car or a rented car, using your driving licence from your home country.

By law seatbelts must be worn by the driver and all passengers, including those in rear seats.

Motorcyclists and any passengers must always wear helmets.

There is a good network of cycle lanes. Mopeds (but not motorbikes) may also ride on cycle lanes.

Belgium has a large number of speed cameras. If you are photographed speeding, then expect a demand for a fine by post within a couple of weeks. If you are driving a rented car, then the fine demand will be sent to the rental company who will charge it to your account.

The police sometimes carry out spot checks on drivers at random stretches of roads, checking driving licences and other documents, and sometimes carrying out spot breathalyser checks.

Traffic lights in Belgium use the red-green/green-yellow-red sequence. Note that they change from red to green without any yellow in between.

Occasionally you encounter traffic light sets at some times of the day which are set to flashing yellow. This means stop and then proceed only with caution. Unless indicated, you cannot turn right on red.

In towns and cities you’ll often encounter bus lanes. Unless indicated for specific times of day, cars are not permitted to drive in these lanes.

Note that you are not permitted to pass a tram while it has stopped at a halt to allow passengers to get on and off.

A feature of Belgian motorways is that they are lit during the night.

Belgian driving can take some getting used to. Always be extra alert and aware, particularly in Brussels. “Hit and run” in Brussels is not unknown!

Also beware of the “priority to the right” rule.  This doesn’t always apply though – it varies according to the junction. If you’re not sure, do what (most) Belgians do and be on the safe side by giving way first!

Enjoy your visit to Belgium!

Image: Grande Place, Brussels, courtesy of barry fricke

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The other day I went to a web entrepreneur’s event held in the centre of Brussels called BetaGroup Belgium.

BetaGroup Belgium was founded in 2008 by Jean Derély & Candide Kemmler as a small group of friends who met initially on a casual basis. It’s now since grown in just three years to a current membership of over 3000.

The aim of BetaGroup Belgium is to connect Entrepreneurs, Software Developers, Digital Marketers, Web Designers, Web Agencies, Advertisers, Publishers, Venture Capitalists and Business Angels with each over by providing a platform and chance to meet each other, present their projects and foster new collaborations within the sector.

Each meetup includes a series of short “elevator pitches” where a company or individual entrepreneur is given 5 minutes to present their project to those present.

On the evening I was there, 7 different entrepreneurs each had 5 minutes to present their ideas. These were all web-based apps or services. Some interesting and imaginative concepts. Perhaps not all of them will be successful, but I loved the spirit of upbeat enthusiasm and dynamism that was present.

There were over 750 people present on this occasion, the event was fully booked out. The event was held on two floors of a media centre next to the canal, the presentations taking place on the ground floor with large display screens on the wall. Everyone then moved upstairs to a large hall area with two bars. The noise was deafening, imagine 750 web entrepreneurs all talking at the same time about their startups, you had to shout to be heard.

If you’re interested in web entrepreneurship and the online business sector in Belgium then you should join BetaGroup Belgium.

Regular free meetings are held on a monthly basis at the ULB Free Brussels University and are open to everyone in the Web, Software and Mobile communities. There are also various additional meetings and events, some of them on a paid-for basis.

For more info check out the website of BetaGroup Belgium at www.betagroup.be

Image courtesy of fdecomite

BrusselSprout.NET has just adopted charity:water.

Like many people, I’ve tended to regard charity as something I just do “now and then” or only when cajoled into it by others.

But from now on I want to use my online presence to also help less fortunate people.

I think online media should have a social dimension and should help contribute towards making the world a better place by taking practical action.

So I’ve decided to actively promote a charity here on BrusselSprout.NET

The charity I’ve selected is charity:water. This is a US-registered charity set up by one Scott Harrison in 2006 to help provide fresh drinking water and sanitation in less developed countries across the world. Since its inception, charity:water has raised more than $42 million and has helped some 2 million people get access to life’s most basic need – fresh drinking water.

Here in the developed Western world we tend to just take clean fresh water for granted. We turn on the tap any time we like and there it is. But for over a billion people in poorer parts of the world, fresh water on tap is something they just don’t have. With all the consequences for poor sanitation, poor health, disease and premature death.

It’s hard to imagine what a billion people looks like, but it’s one in eight of the world population. That’s one in eight people in the world who don’t have access to the most basic of human needs that we in the developed countries can’t imagine even going just 12 hours without.

The lack of fresh drinking water supplies also has consequences for the economy. In Africa alone, it’s estimated that the overall economic loss due to lack of safe drinking water and sanitation is some $28 billion. That’s about about 5% of GDP.

charity:water focuses on life’s most basic need — water. Clean water transforms lives, communities and generations — and at a surprisingly low cost. Just $20 can provide clean water for one person. Every single $1 invested in improved water access and sanitation yields an average of $12 in economic returns, depending on the project. 100% of your donation will directly fund freshwater projects in developing nations.

charity:water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

I think that every website should be involved in supporting at least one charitable cause.

Charity should be practical. Providing fresh drinking water and safe sanitation is one of the best practical ways of directly helping to improve conditions in our world.

So I’m kicking things off by donating $20 this Xmas to charity:water.

You can also donate to charity:water by going to their website at www.charitywater.org/donate and filling in the online form. You can donate by credit card via Paypal (you don’t need a Paypal account). The donations are 100% tax-deductible.

By the way, neither I nor BrusselSprout.NET receive any commissions of any kind by fundraising for or promoting charity:water. It is purely a 100% charitable commitment.

charity:water also commits 100% of public donations entirely to fund water projects. The funding for the charity’s overheads: staff, rent, travel, etc are raised and financed separately. This means that every dollar donated by the public for water projects goes directly to help those in need.

Why not check them out and also consider leaving a donation, however small, for charity:water?

Visit charity:water at www.charitywater.org