We went to Planckendael Zoo (http://www.planckendael.be/content/index.asp?), which is about halfway between Brussels and Antwerp. It was a pretty nice zoo, with most of the standard zoo animals. We did notice that there are fewer barriers between you and the animals (note the kids chasing the giant bird below). Jack loved all the huge birds and shouted "ba ba" at them. The birds were definitely the highlight for him.
It's hard to tell on the picture below, unless you enlarge it, but there are a whole bunch of otters in the back, to the left of Amelia. There was a family sitting next to us, throwing handfuls of cookies to the otters (which the otters loved, by the way). And you can tell there's not much barrier between us and them (not that otters are that likely to rip your throat out or anything, but...). But feeding animals seems to be much less of a "no no" than at home. (Some of you might have read on cnn.com a few weeks back of a woman who adopted a big cat at the Antwerp zoo, and then one night, she snuck in its cage after dark. Needless to say, that story didn't end well... http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/02/12/cheetah.attack.ap/index.html)
Jack making the "pig" sign
So anyway, the zoo is part zoo, part playground, part nature walk. The had several HUGE playgrounds for the kids, and I wouldn't be surprised if some folks came just for the playgrounds. They also had several very nice restaurants, with more than your typical zoo fare. TJ had beef stew; I had a "hamburger" (which was a patty that had been simmering in some kind of sauce -- not so tasty) and, as always, fries with mayo (which we're growing to like quite a bit). There was also lots of beer and carafes of wine to be had.
It was a great time, but a little pricey. It was 31 euro to get in the zoo, plus parking, and then another 25 or so euro for lunch. But we got out of the house, for which I was very grateful!
There is also appartently a nice riding/walking path along the Dijle canal that runs close to the zoo (http://www.s97358565.onlinehome.us/cyclebel/brabant.htm#dijle). While we didn't go on it (but drove over it) it looks like an enjoyable way to spend a sunny day.
Mardis Gras
On Sunday, we took a drive to Binche, a town about 40 minutes south of Brussels (http://www.visitbelgium.com/mediaroom/BincheCarnival.htm). We got a late start, so we missed the parade, but there were still a lot of parade participants wandering through the crowd. It was a HUGE crowd. Many of the children were in costumes (anything from princesses to Tigger -- basically whatever Halloween costume you had), and there was lots of confetti. We bought a bag, and the kids enjoyed throwing it, though they threw it mostly at the ground, rather than up in the air.
Hot wine was a mainstay (though I swear it has a distinct grain alcohol taste!), and there was a lot of food. There were also several vendors selling flowers -- corsages and bouquets -- made of a pretty yellow flower (goldenrod-like, but I don't know what it was). Many people were wearing the corsages and carrying the bouquets, but I'm not sure what the symbolism of it is for. I've never seen anything similar in the US. And, for those who are curious, there were no beads being thrown and no one flashing for beads. Just a lot of noisemakers and costumes.
Amelia tossing confetti
The street scene in Binche
The town was really picturesque, and it was fun to experience a different kind of Mardis Gras. The schools are all out this week for Mardi Gras, and I've noticed that several businesess are closed Monday-Wednesday.
We Bought a Car!
Another great accomplishment was that we bought a car on Saturday (one down, one to go). But buying a car isn't as easy as it is at home. Though we put our down payment on it, there's a whole bunch of paperwork nonsense that intervenes, so we probably won't be able to pick the car up for a week or two.
Other strange Belgian rules having to do with cars:
- When you get your license plates, they give you only one plate. But law is, you have to have 2. So you have to take your plate to a shop somewhere in town to have your second plate made.
- It is law that in your car, you have to carry a first-aid kit, an orange emergency triangle, a fire extinguisher and yellow safety vests for each adult passenger.
- I found the post office and mailed a first set of letters back to the states. I also discovered that they have standardized envelope sizes. If you have a nonstandard envelope size (for example, all of my extra Christmas card envelopes from Kodak...) it costs you 3 times as much to mail. So you can bet I hustled out to the paperie and bought some standard envelopes. Also learned (the hard way), that the post office doesn't open until 10:30 am on Thursdays. Then they close again from 1-2 pm.
- Jack got his first Belgian haircut today. He was a trooper and sat by himself in the chair with a big cape around him and sat like a big boy. His right eye is getting all watery again -- not sure if it's related to his (latest) cold or if it's his blocked tear duct problem resurfacing.
- We got our driver's licenses today. Quite a change from US licenses. It's just a trifold piece of thick paper with our picture glued on and then embossed with a seal in the corner. A pain to try to fit in your wallet.
- Dropped things off at a drycleaners. They give you a card (kindof like an ATM card) that you can use to pick up your drycleaning 24/7. Apparently you put the card in a slot, the reader pulls your information, and a robotic arm retrieves your drycleaning and hands it to you -- even in the middle of the night. I guess for 5 euros an item, you deserve to be able to get your cleaning whenever!! (Though I'm still doing TJ's shirts -- though not very well -- so we're saving a ton of money there. It's our first drycleaners run since we've been here -- not too bad!)
I know how to ask for some basic things in French (though I'm confounded when they reply to me in French) and am pleased to start finding some things that I can show to visitors when they come (when are you coming, visitors??).
Now, if I could just start doing some shopping.....
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