Brussels, Belgium

1. Brussels, Belgium Keys to Making the Best Memories By: Jake Kelley Katherine Myers William Pell Allene Pinder Kelsey Zellner

2. Getting Around • It is highly recommended to bring a phrasebook • Younger generation dutch speaking Belgians use English • French speaking Belgians rarely do • Though Belgians are generally helpful to strangers, they are somewhat shy and Introverted • The Emergency number in Belgium is 112, for the Police or Fire Department • Brussels is bilingual

3. Be Cautious of Restaurant Traps • Served below average quality for a high price. • Avoid the “Rue Des Bouchers/Beenhouwersstraat” and “Rue de la Fourche” - both are streets in the old town • Tap water is drinkable, though they do not serve it in restaurants • For about 2 Euros per bottle you will get mineral or hot spring water • Giving tips shows that you enjoyed the meal • Is not required • A tip of €.50 to €2.50 is considered generous • Avoid buying chocolate, or most things, from shops located near major attractions like the Grand Square or Royal Palace • Taste testing

4. Keep In Mind • Don’t ask about: • Income • Political Views • Religion • Don’t associate the country with the European Union • Belgians may find it offensive • Similar to referring to the United States as a ‘UN’ country just because we have a headquarters • Keep opinions and biases to yourself • Don’t assume and label any person French or Dutch • Many in Brussels do not like to be associated with their neighbors • DON’T build upon the American stereotype (Loud, obnoxious, etc.)

5. Watch Out For • Pickpockets • More common in Europe • Target smartphones more than wallets • Carry wallets & phones in front pockets • Known for targeting unsuspecting tourists • Often work in groups, one person will distract you and another will steal your possessions

6. Getting Crazy • We’re talking about the do’s and don’ts of going out and having fun • Keep our home country rules in mind and you should be fine • Do: • Have self-control • Don’t: • Cause a disturbance • Become excessively drunk • Vandalize

7. Foods to Eat

8. Gastronomy is the study of food and culture, specifically focused on cuisine • Waterzool: Classic stew made of fish or chicken • Paling in’t groen: Traditional Flemish dish made of eels with herbs and vegetables • La Carbonade Flamade: Boiled beef with garlic, onions, and various spices, often served with noodles or fries • Boudin Blanc: Blood sausages served with white rice • Choesels: Offal cooked with lambic beer • Cheeses: More than 150 types, ranging from hard to soft

9. Gastronomy of Brussels, Belgium Beer • Beer arrived in Europe around 5000 BC across the “Beer Belt” • Lambic, Gueze, Kriek, Rasberry Beer, Champagne Beer, etc. • Heavy taxes on French wine gave beer greater preference • Beer became one of the most popular drinks by the Middle Ages • Famous pubs include: Poechenellekelder, Mort Subite, Delirium Chocolate • Spanish explorers returned with cacao seeds and a dark, frothy drink • Belgium was ruled by Spain – lead to introduction of chocolate • Henri Escher, mayor of Zurich, introduced the drink to Switzerland • Best known chocolatier: Leonidas • Wittmaer is the chocolatier for the Court of Belgium

10. Gastronomy Cont’d Waffles • Borrowed from the Francic language meaning “honeycomb of bee” • Initially sold as unleavened crisp cakes baked in a wafer iron • Liege • Derived from brioche dough, and made with pearl sugar • Invented around the 18th Century • Most popular waffle due to the World’s Fair of 1958, held in Brussels • Brussels • Florian Dacher coined the term Brussels waffle • Invented in the Flemish region of Belgium • Big, rectangular and light • Get them from Dandoy near Grand Place Square Fries • Invented in the region of Meuse (not France) in 1680 • Called frites in Brussels • Made with Belgian Bintje potatoes, cooked twice, served in a paper cone with mayonnaise • Maison Antoine is said to make the best

11. Gastronomy Cont’d Speculoos Cookie • Slightly different forms in Belgium and Germany • Traditionally baked on the eve of St. Nicolas on Dec. 6 • Name was derived from Latin word speculator • The most famous Speculoos cookies are from Belgium Mussels • Originally consumed by the poor • National dish of Belgium, in season from September to February • Most popularly served as Moules Frites – Mussels and Fries • Often referred to as the Mussels in Brussels • Volle Gras & Chez Leon well-known for mussels

12. Places to Go

13. 1000 Brussels, Belgium +32 2 279 22 11 Grand Place • Built in the 15th century • Comparative to the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty • Gives views of gilded buildings and gothic towers including the Town Hall and the City Museum.

14. 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium +32 479 27 29 29 Mannekin-Pis • “Became an image and symbol of the Brussels folklore, the joy of the inhabitants and their capacity of self-mockery” • The emblem of the rebellious spirit of Brussels • Wears over 900 suits • Once played a role in the distribution of drinking water since in the 15th century • Survived the bombardment of Brussels in 1695

15. Brasserie Cantillon Rue Gheude 56 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium +32 2 521 49 28 Cantillon Brewery • Founded in 1900 by the Van Roy-Cantillon family • BEERS • Lambic • Gueuze • Faro • Kriek • Original machines • Barrels full of beer • Cellars for storage

16. Brasserie Cantillon Rue Gheude 56 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium +32 2 521 49 28 Cantillon Brewery (cont.) “You will experience a unique moment amid the lambic fumes which escape from the barrels in which the beer matures for three years.” €7 - glass of lambic beer included M-F 9am-5pm

17. Avenue de l’Atomium 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium +32 2 475 47 75 7 Days a Week 10am-6pm €8 with student ID Atomium “A seminal totem in the Brussels skyline; neither tower, nor pyramid, a little bit cubic, a little bit spherical, half-way between sculpture and architecture, a relic of the past with a determinedly futuristic look...the Atomium is, at once, an object, a place, a space, a Utopia and the only symbol of its kind in the world, which eludes any kind of classification.”

18. Avenue de l’Atomium 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium +32 2 475 47 75 Avenue de l’Atomium 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium +32 2 475 47 75 7 Days a Week 10am-6pm €8 with student ID Atomium (cont.) • built for the World’s Fair in 1958 (a.k.a. Expo 58) - the last world’s fair • 102 meters high • nine interconnected spheres • designed by André Waterkeyn • the symbol of the city of Brussels and of Belgium • Panorama: allows distant views of all sides of the city

19. Conclusion Tips • Bring a phrasebook • Avoid shopping near major tourist attractions • Don’t assume they are French or Dutch • Watch out for pickpockets • Don’t get too crazy Food • Beer • Chocolate • Waffles • Fries • Mussels Attractions • Grand Place • Mannekin-Pis • Cantillon Brewery • Atomium