» 2023 Mile42

Frankfurters In Frankfurt

May 18, 2023 by TheCuriousCyclist Filed under Amused, Curious Tagged with germany23

Wow, that sleep sucked.

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Wow, that sleep sucked.

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Bike wrangling on these smaller trains is really awkward.

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Bike wrangling on these smaller trains is really awkward.

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Grabbing a quick snack at the layover.

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Grabbing a quick snack at the layover.

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A fate worth avoiding, I think.

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A fate worth avoiding, I think.

Three old dudes chillin’ on the train. Apparently it’s some kind of German ‘father’s day’ holiday today.

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Three old dudes chillin’ on the train. Apparently it’s some kind of German ‘father’s day’ holiday today.

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Negotiating the best we can with the other cyclists. At least boarding was easy.

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Negotiating the best we can with the other cyclists. At least boarding was easy.

Okay, now it’s getting cramped…

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Okay, now it’s getting cramped…

Posters in the train stations to catch a guy for tax evasion. That’s German justice!

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Posters in the train stations to catch a guy for tax evasion. That’s German justice!

Now things are reversed… Valoria is here, and everything else is far away.

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Now things are reversed… Valoria is here, and everything else is far away.

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A bit of a crowd, yep…

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A bit of a crowd, yep…

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Aha, this is what I’m looking for!

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Aha, this is what I’m looking for!

It’s mandatory. You walk in here, you gotta get one of these.

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It’s mandatory. You walk in here, you gotta get one of these.

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Preconception Of Germany

May 18, 2023 by TheCuriousCyclist Filed under Amused Tagged with germany23, preconceptions

Before I visited or even did any research on Germany, I added it to my map of the gaps. This is what was in my head about the country, from pop culture or hearsay or dimly remembered school. (Of course, actually going there will change this a lot.)

Most of my knowledge about Germany is in the context of Word War II. Persecution of Jews, Third Reich, et cetera. A war machine of barbed wire and mud and gasoline, fueled by an angry eugenics ideology that was a response to the crushing reparations being paid by one generation of Germans for the sins of the previous generations in World War I. That stuff is pretty bleak.

Then there’s this more modern view, where Germany is a clean, friendly place of rolling green hills and rugged mountains, where people are surprisingly nerdy about scientific research, alternative energies, outdoor adventure, and funky electronic music, and war has moved from the physical world to the less visceral world of finance. I imagine modern Germans spend half their time wearing white-collar work clothes in shiny university buildings, and the other half in hiking boots and cute little shorts, tromping around in alpine fields and making extremely sarcastic jokes to each other. I see their sense of humor as sharp, and their demeanor as friendly but emotionally aloof. A competitive nature?

Pop culture tells me they drink a lot of beer and eat a lot of sausage, but I can’t quite imagine them doing it. Pop culture also tells me they are into edgy sexual stuff, but I’ve seen German porn, and frankly it’s tame. There is one major difference though: All the women, and even many of the men, in German porn are actually smiling. In American porn everybody has an absurd game-face on that makes them look like they’re either cleaning up an unpleasant spill, or asleep and snoring with their mouth open. Oh dear, how did I get on this topic? Let’s stop.

I have a lot of German ancestry on my father’s side, which is probably why most Germans look vaguely familiar to me, and I’m fascinated by the preserved “Brick Gothic” architecture in cities like Lübeck and the way it reminds me of childhood fairy-tales, but even so, Germany doesn’t quite feel like a “homeland” for me, the way I feel about Denmark, eastern Russia, and bits of Ireland.

Germany according to Where In Europe Is Carmen Sandiego

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Brusselin’ Around

May 17, 2023 by TheCuriousCyclist Filed under Curious, Happy Tagged with brussels23

Not great, but at least I don’t feel totally dead.

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Not great, but at least I don’t feel totally dead.

Whoops!

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Whoops!

The square looks eerily empty in the morning.

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The square looks eerily empty in the morning.

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So few people about at 8:00am…

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So few people about at 8:00am…

Avocado toast, even fancier than usual…

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Avocado toast, even fancier than usual…

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So many baked goods, so much wifi… How will I consume all of it?

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So many baked goods, so much wifi… How will I consume all of it?

Time to make the coffee properly.

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Time to make the coffee properly.

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Buying tickets for the journey to Frankfurt.

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Buying tickets for the journey to Frankfurt.

Seen this in several different cities. Same material, same subject matter. Why care for a dog when you can evoke sympathy with a fake one?

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Seen this in several different cities. Same material, same subject matter. Why care for a dog when you can evoke sympathy with a fake one?

More sticker tag mayhem. Each one is a little self-contained mystery.

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More sticker tag mayhem. Each one is a little self-contained mystery.

Bike cops are the best cops!

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Bike cops are the best cops!

Back out into the brightness.

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Back out into the brightness.

We went through the doors thinking there was a grand hall inside. No; but there was this charming courtyard.

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We went through the doors thinking there was a grand hall inside. No; but there was this charming courtyard.

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It’s official!

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It’s official!

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Our hotel has a pretty subtle entrance.

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Our hotel has a pretty subtle entrance.

These sidewall generators always make me cringe a bit from how inefficient they are. But, better than riding in the dark, of course…

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These sidewall generators always make me cringe a bit from how inefficient they are. But, better than riding in the dark, of course…

Time for Nick and I to crash the cathedral!

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Time for Nick and I to crash the cathedral!

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Communing with the …. Instagram.

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Communing with the …. Instagram.

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Looks like there used to be some amazing gold leaf painted onto this. That must have been splendid!

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Looks like there used to be some amazing gold leaf painted onto this. That must have been splendid!

I remember being fascinated with this last time.

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I remember being fascinated with this last time.

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I assume this has something to do with hell and the devil.

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I assume this has something to do with hell and the devil.

It’s the cathedral in the cathedral. I smell a Dan Brown plot device…

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It’s the cathedral in the cathedral. I smell a Dan Brown plot device…

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“Hey can we get one of those ‘don’t tread on me’ flags in here? No? Alright, just asking.”

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“Hey can we get one of those ‘don’t tread on me’ flags in here? No? Alright, just asking.”

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Eerie artistry.

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Eerie artistry.

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Do you feel insignificant?

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Do you feel insignificant?

Blessed are the tree trimmers?

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Blessed are the tree trimmers?

A crest with ducks! NICE.

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A crest with ducks! NICE.

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Add to your collection of heroic figures: The Jaws Of Life Operator.

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Add to your collection of heroic figures: The Jaws Of Life Operator.

There he is, getting ready!

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There he is, getting ready!

Some new-to-me kind of goose?

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Some new-to-me kind of goose?

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They were pretty good!

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They were pretty good!

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He was inspired by our bikes.

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He was inspired by our bikes.

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Just really dang pleasant.

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Just really dang pleasant.

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A very modern building that curiously seems to blend in with everything else.

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A very modern building that curiously seems to blend in with everything else.

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Nick Arrives

May 16, 2023 by TheCuriousCyclist Filed under Curious, Happy Tagged with brussels23

Time to rebuild Alice and repack everything…

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Time to rebuild Alice and repack everything…

Giving Nick some directions.

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Giving Nick some directions.

Tall people are not allowed to make tea.

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Tall people are not allowed to make tea.

Outside with a big empty box! More travel logistics…

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Outside with a big empty box! More travel logistics…

Hmmmm; that’s not gonna work.

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Hmmmm; that’s not gonna work.

Wrapped up and set behind the shipping counter. Handoff complete!

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Wrapped up and set behind the shipping counter. Handoff complete!

You mess with a bike, you get greasy hands. This is the life you choose.

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You mess with a bike, you get greasy hands. This is the life you choose.

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Time to board a train with some very heavy bikes!

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Time to board a train with some very heavy bikes!

Welcome to Brussels! Nick wanted a photo next to the Smurfs.

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Welcome to Brussels! Nick wanted a photo next to the Smurfs.

Into the crowd we go, seeking snacks.

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Into the crowd we go, seeking snacks.

Tired but ready to explore.

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Tired but ready to explore.

Good ol’ St. Nick!

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Good ol’ St. Nick!

Why am I not surprised…

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Why am I not surprised…

A sweet treat!

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A sweet treat!

Not a bad view while taking brunch.

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Not a bad view while taking brunch.

What to eat, what to eat…

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What to eat, what to eat…

I can haz coffee?

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I can haz coffee?

I didn’t even know this church was here. Apparently it’s been here a very long time. It was originally part of a chunk of the city defense walls around Brussels.

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I didn’t even know this church was here. Apparently it’s been here a very long time. It was originally part of a chunk of the city defense walls around Brussels.

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Frozen in the act of bestowing wisdom no doubt.

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Frozen in the act of bestowing wisdom no doubt.

Contemplating.

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Contemplating.

A nice little square.

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A nice little square.

Too bad we couldn’t go inside and poke around.

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Too bad we couldn’t go inside and poke around.

A dramatic way to fill a fountain!

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A dramatic way to fill a fountain!

Reminds me of cats I know…

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Reminds me of cats I know…

Now that is serious ‘stache.

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Now that is serious ‘stache.

This looks like a reference to some legend about explorers being led by a local guide. It’s probably apocryphal. (I mean, the explorers probably just stabbed the guide.)

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This looks like a reference to some legend about explorers being led by a local guide. It’s probably apocryphal. (I mean, the explorers probably just stabbed the guide.)

Not sure who this is supposed to be, but their position over the door is welcoming…

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Not sure who this is supposed to be, but their position over the door is welcoming…

BLEEEAAAAARRRRRGGH

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BLEEEAAAAARRRRRGGH

CONTEMPLATE YOUR GOOSEY FATE.

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CONTEMPLATE YOUR GOOSEY FATE.

What better thing to immortalize in bronze than agony and dread?

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What better thing to immortalize in bronze than agony and dread?

My favorite thing about this is the rope they tied to keep it from spinning around.

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My favorite thing about this is the rope they tied to keep it from spinning around.

In case you didn’t notice Mary, there’s a spotlight to point her out.

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In case you didn’t notice Mary, there’s a spotlight to point her out.

When he saw the camera, he demanded we take his picture.

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When he saw the camera, he demanded we take his picture.

The proprietors.

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The proprietors.

Meanwhile, the locals are so bored with the square they’d rather just doom-scroll.

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Meanwhile, the locals are so bored with the square they’d rather just doom-scroll.

So many smokers in Europe. Even young people. I’m finding it hard to get used to.

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So many smokers in Europe. Even young people. I’m finding it hard to get used to.

Another anonymous tourist. The light was good, so I pressed the button.

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Another anonymous tourist. The light was good, so I pressed the button.

Every now and then, the Belgians feed a bird some waffle.

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Every now and then, the Belgians feed a bird some waffle.

People love to do video chats in the middle of the square, to show the folks back home where they are.

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People love to do video chats in the middle of the square, to show the folks back home where they are.

Hustlin’

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Hustlin’

I don’t know who they are, but the light was good.

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I don’t know who they are, but the light was good.

Belgian pride!

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Belgian pride!

Welcome to the land of snacks!

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Welcome to the land of snacks!

Sweets from Syria.

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Sweets from Syria.

No matter where you are in the world, you’ll find sticker tags.

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No matter where you are in the world, you’ll find sticker tags.

Bikes often get to go both ways down a street that’s one way only for cars. It’s helpful, but a bit harrowing.

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Bikes often get to go both ways down a street that’s one way only for cars. It’s helpful, but a bit harrowing.

You can’t do this! Unless you’re on a bike!

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You can’t do this! Unless you’re on a bike!

I’m not sure when this food truck last moved anywhere!

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I’m not sure when this food truck last moved anywhere!

Saving the cobbles for later.

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Saving the cobbles for later.

Mysterious narrow alleyway…

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Mysterious narrow alleyway…

Fries on wheels! Nice.

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Fries on wheels! Nice.

So much to see!

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So much to see!

Yes to the colors!

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Yes to the colors!

Giving the pigeons a feast.

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Giving the pigeons a feast.

Nick thought this was epic.

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Nick thought this was epic.

A plaintive though somewhat rambly note glued to a wall.

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A plaintive though somewhat rambly note glued to a wall.

Seems like there are even more bicycles here than two years ago.

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Seems like there are even more bicycles here than two years ago.

Locked up while we explore on foot.

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Locked up while we explore on foot.

I just love all these different vertical surfaces.

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I just love all these different vertical surfaces.

So many corners… A feast for the eyeballs.

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So many corners… A feast for the eyeballs.

Spot the hidden cameras!

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Spot the hidden cameras!

A super cool restaurant window.

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A super cool restaurant window.

Balancing act.

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Balancing act.

Nice to see that restaurant from a few years back is still thriving.

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Nice to see that restaurant from a few years back is still thriving.

They are legion…

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They are legion…

Little worlds.

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Little worlds.

I know I took a picture of this two years ago, but… LOOK AT IT!

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I know I took a picture of this two years ago, but… LOOK AT IT!

Here there be waffles.

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Here there be waffles.

On nom nomm nnooommm nommmmmm

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On nom nomm nnooommm nommmmmm

The Force guides his every waitering move.

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The Force guides his every waitering move.

I thought I’d had tiramisu before. I was WRONG.

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I thought I’d had tiramisu before. I was WRONG.

Got some free time… Let’s make some repairs!

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Got some free time… Let’s make some repairs!

I wonder how many times this happens…

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I wonder how many times this happens…

The bike looks odd without the seat.

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The bike looks odd without the seat.

Straightening some bent links with the help of the pliers.

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Straightening some bent links with the help of the pliers.

Installing the new seat mesh.

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Installing the new seat mesh.

Nice to know the Airtag is still there.

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Nice to know the Airtag is still there.

You mess with the bike, you get the grease.

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You mess with the bike, you get the grease.

If not for regular sweeping, this alley would be deep, crunchy pit of cigarette butts.

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If not for regular sweeping, this alley would be deep, crunchy pit of cigarette butts.

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Preconception of Belgium

May 16, 2023 by TheCuriousCyclist Filed under Amused Tagged with brussels23, preconceptions

Before I visited or even did any research on Belgium, I added it to my map of the gaps. This is what was in my head about the country, from pop culture or hearsay or dimly remembered school. (Of course, actually going there will change this a lot.)

I know this is somewhere in Europe. Name vaguely rings a bell. Is Inspector Poirot from here? Is this where “Belgian waffles” were invented? Suddenly I am not very good at this.

Belgium according to Where In Europe Is Carmen Sandiego

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