My vintage guide to Belgium - Weggeefwinkel Leuven ( Huisje van Overvloed )

Today I went to the Weggeefwinkel in Leuven and I loved the experience! Weggeefwinkel translates as the Free Shop and the concept is very simple: you give some things you dont need and you take home as many things as you want from the shop, no money involved. The picture above shows all the things I "bought". Everything is in really good shape and for instance the scarf and the white sandals -very 40s style ;) - are unworn. The people working there were very friendly and they sort the goods in categories, fold them and hang the clothes. I was amazed of how clean things were.

This is what their Facebook page says:

Je kan hier kosteloos een object uitkiezen (of enkele) en zelf spulletjes achterlaten waarvan je denkt dat je er iemand anders een plezier mee kan doen.Bedoeling is overvloed te delen, samenhorigheid en sociale contacten te versterken, het milieu te sparen en ... vreugde te brengen! 

Wie kent dat niet? Van die spulletjes die al jaren onaangeroerd in of op de kast staan, zaken waaraan je gehecht bent maar die je nooit gebruikt of cadeautjes waar je niets mee bent. Er is goed nieuws: je kan er iemand anders blij mee maken!!

Breng ze binnen in de weggeefwinkel (kringloopprincipe) en bouw mee aan dit initiatief waar iedereen beter van wordt . 

Iedereen kan iets uitkiezen. Voor een geliefde, voor zichzelf, of zelfs -waarom niet- voor een wildvreemde. Kijk thuis ook even rond of er iets is dat je zelf graag aan iemand anders schenkt. 

Je mag zo vaak komen als je wilt! Je hoeft niets binnen te brengen, om spulletjes mee naar huis te nemen!!!

Translation (not very accurate since my Dutch is not so good): 

You can choose an object here (or a few) and leave some stuff that you think can do someone else a favor. 

The aim is to share, abundance and togetherness, protect the environment and ... to bring joy to others.

The stuff that has been untouched for years in your closet, things you never use or gifts which you dont like. There is good news: you can make someone else happy! 

Bring them inside the free shop (circuit principle) and contribute to this initiative, which benefits everybody. 

Anyone can pick something. For a loved one, for himself, or even, why not? for a stranger. 

You may come as often as you want! You do not need to bring anything in order to take something home!! 

If you live in Leuven or nearby dont hesitate to pass by. Me? Can´t wait for the next one!

Photo Credit: Weggeefwinkel Leuven Facebook Page

WHEN AND WHERE ?

Twice per month. Dates announced on their Facebook Page and their website

Brouwerstraat 47. Leuven, 3000

CONTACT

Facebook Page

Website

Tip: Take your own shopping bag/tote or trolley...

On why I wear summer dresses all year round, wellies and headpieces

Photo by: Juan de los Mares Fotografía

I´ve been asked different kinds of questions regarding my style and it is simply difficult to answer when you feel the rest do not "get it". I come from a very homogeneous country where most  girls want to look like the Kardashians and now I live in a country in which make up and dressing up is not the rule. It is undeniable that both this aspects have an influence on the way I look but on the other hand, I find my ways to separate myself from whats around me. 

Here in Belgium, and in Venezuela, it can be difficult to be yourself. We have magazines, television shows, and even friends telling us what we should look like and what is more accepted. My problem is that if I pick up a magazine, the women shown there are not like me. I also must admit that I've always had a soft spot for fur trimmings and color -especially red that now has a political connotation in Venezuela-  but until a few years ago, told myself it was wrong not to enjoy clothes that I like.

As I said I like fur, wellies, silly patterns and headpieces. Those things might not be the latest fashion magazine trends but in my little world of summer dresses all year round, they look good. My interest for vintage clothes comes from refusing to wearing skinny jeans and ugg boots with the excuse of staying warm. It is undeniable how glamourous women looked in the bygone eras and that´s something I try to emulate.

It can be hard sometimes. Firstable because it is a lot of work and second, because you´ll have to learn to deal with people staring at you if you're a bit different from everyone else. But if you want to wear ruffles and colors in the winter, do it! Do it sometimes or do it everyday! I try to think that I´m building my own style, and so should you...clothes are not merely protection or a layer to cover our naked bodies, you can make a statement with them, hve fun with them or as I do, create a fantasy world in which I juggle with the midcentury lifestyle and the modern world. 

The reactions are not always negative, I always get approached by older women and I get smiles of approval. My friends understand that I´ve never been a very conventional Venezuelan and sometimes people on the streets look amused by my looks. So, my conclusion is whatever it is you like, do it. I think that at least when I grow older, Ill have nothing to regret when it comes to my sartorial choices, no matter how silly they may look for other people, because I´m having fun while I do it. 

Museums of the Far East

A few sundays ago Miguel and I went to the Museums of the Far East in Brussels. The buildings are magnificent and the whole area around it is very quite and green, good for jogging. Plenty of visitors were there walking their dogs or exploring the gardens with their families/ Hace algunos domingos, Miguel y yo fuimos a los Museos del Extremo Oriente en Bruselas. Los edificios son magníficos y toda la zona que lo rodea es muy tranquila y verde, bueno para correr. Varios de los visitantes fueron a pasear a sus perros o explorar los jardines con sus familias.

DOWNTON ABBEY? NOT QUITE. INSIDE THE CHINESE PAVILION. 

How did these pavillions ended up in Brussels? / Cómo terminaron estas pabellones en Bruselas?

Well.... after his visit to the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris, Léopold II was amazed by oriental architecture. On the northern corner of the Royal Laeken Park, the king ordered that a Chinese Pavilion be built; he used it as his private restaurant/ Después de su visita a la Exposición Universal de 1900 en París, Léopold II quedó sorprendido por la arquitectura oriental. En la esquina norte del Parque Real de Laeken, el rey ordenó que se construyera un pabellón chino que utilizó como su restaurante privado.

He commissioned the Parisian architect Alexandre Marcel to design the Chinese Pavilion. The woodwork was made by specialists from Shanghai. Since 1946, the Pavilion became an annex of the Royal Museums of Art and History; and today, it houses a collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. The buildings were constructed in Belgium, but some parts came from Japan and China. The splendid red tower (Japanese Pavilion) has woodwork carved by experts from Yokohama, Japan/ Le encargó al arquitecto parisino Alexandre Marcel el diseño del Pabellón Chino. La carpintería fue realizada por especialistas de Shanghai. Desde 1946, el pabellón se convirtió en un anexo de los Museos Reales de Arte e Historia, y hoy en día, alberga una colección de porcelana china y japonesa. Los edificios fueron construidos en Bélgica, pero algunas partes procedían de Japón y China. La espléndida torre roja (Pabellón japonés) tiene madera tallada por expertos de Yokohama, Japón.

I couldn't see much inside the Japanese Pavilion but the woodwork and the floors are impressive.  The first foor is open for visitors and it houses a collection of Japanese ceramics. The other floors are closed. It is a shame because I´m pretty sure that the view must be good/ No pude ver mucho del interior del Pabellón de Japón, pero la madera y los pisos son impresionantes. El primer piso se encuentra abierto al público y alberga una colección de cerámica japonesa. Los otros pisos están cerrados. Es una lástima, porque estoy bastante segura de que la visión debe ser bueno.

The Chinese Pavilion has various small rooms richly decorated. It is certainly beautiful but what impressed me was the lack of authencity in the architecture and decor. European elements are everywhere and they were chosen based on the European´s concept of Asian living in that era. It is definetely less authentic than the Japanese Pavilion but the exhibition covers Japanese and Chinese art in pottery, drawings and war weapons, etc/ El pabellón chino tiene varias habitaciones pequeñas ricamente decoradas. Es de verdad hermoso pero lo que me impresionó fue la falta de autenticidad en la arquitectura y la decoración. Los elementos europeos están por todas partes y se eligieron basándose en el concepto europeo de vida de Asia en esa época. Es definitivamente menos auténtico que el pabellón japonés, pero la exposición abarca el arte japonés y chino en cerámica, dibujos y armas de guerra, etc. 

MIGUEL + ME

MIGUEL TURNING JAPANESE

MASK + EXAMPLE OF EUROPEAN ART + COAT OF ARMS OF LEUVEN (OLD DUTCH)

JAPANESE ART + JAPANESE POTTERY + INSIDE THE CHINESE PAVILION

If you want to visit, here´s the practical info:

Avenue Van Praet 44

1020 Brussels

tel.:             + 32 (0)2 268 16 08      

Opening hours

Tuesdays to Fridays: 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays and feast-days: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Access

Train : The museums can be reached by public transport from the ‘Brussels North’ station.

Tram : 3 and 7: alight at ‘Araucaria’.

Bus : 53, 230, 231, 232: alight at ‘De Wand’.

Admission prices

€ 4: Permanent Collections

€ 3 : groups (min. 10 ), 13-17 years olds (accompanied by an adult relative), students, CJP members, senior citizens (60 +), foreign teachers, staff of other museums and those with ‘Visit Brussels’, ‘Must of Brussels’ and Visit Brussels Line’ tickets.

€1.5 : school groups, student groups, young person groups, unemployed persons, those on subsistence wages, the handicapped, artists, art-college students.

Free : children under 13 (accompanied by an adult relative), visually handicapped persons with an attendant, teachers, members of the press and of the ‘Per Musea’ support group, Friends of the Educational Service, Friends of the RMAH, members of the ICOM, the VMV, the ASF and the BMR, ‘Touristische Attracties’ and ‘City of Brussels’ guides, and those with a DWTC countdown card.

Admission free for everyone on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 p.m. on.

Audioguide

Audioguide available in English, French, German and Dutch.

Sinterklaas

I know its a bit late for this post but I think most people dont know about it. Belgium is so unique that they even have their own version of Santa Claus! His name is Sinterklaas and he doesnt come from the North Pole but from Spain and he´s a got a helper (o helpers) called Zwarte Piet. He is celebrated annually on the morning of December 6th/Sé que es un poco tarde para este post, pero creo que mucha gente no sabe sobre esta tradición. Bélgica es tan único que hasta tienen su propia versión de Santa Claus! Su nombre es Sinterklaas y él no viene del Polo Norte, sino de España y tiene un ayudante (o ayudantes) llamado Zwarte Piet. Se celebra anualmente en la mañana del 6 de diciembre.

Originally, the feast celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas – patron saint of children, sailors, philatelists, and the city of Amsterdam, among others. Sint Nicholas being a bishop and this geographical spread make clear that the feast in this form has a Roman Catholic background, although the papacy has never officially recognized his existence/Originalmente, la fiesta se celebra el dia de San Nicolás - santo patrón de los niños, marineros, filatelistas y la ciudad de Amsterdam, entre otros. Sint Nicolás es obispo y esta dispersión geográfica deja claro que la fiesta tiene un trasfondo católico romano, aunque el papado nunca ha reconocido oficialmente su existencia.

The arrival of Sinterklaas into town its a huge event and it is broadcast on national television. Numerous people dress as Zwarte Pieten in various cities and towns across the the country. Traditionally their faces are blackened because Zwarte Piet is a Spanish (Moorish) servant of Sinterklaas (though some people said Zwarte Piet was originally a slave who, when Sinterklaas bought him his freedom, was so grateful that he stayed to assist him). Today, sometimes the more politically correct explanation that Pete's face is "black from soot" (as Pete has to climb through chimneys to deliver his gifts) is used/La llegada de San Nicolás en la ciudad es un evento enorme y que se emite en la televisión nacional. Numerosas personas se visten de Zwarte Pieten en varias ciudades y pueblos de todo el país. Tradicionalmente, sus caras están ennegrecidas por Zwarte Piet es un Español (moro) siervo de Sinterklaas (aunque algunas personas dicen que Zwarte Piet era originalmente un esclavo que, cuando Nicolás le compró su libertad, estaba tan agradecido que se quedó para ayudarle). Hoy en día, a veces la explicación más políticamente correcta es que la cara de Pete es "negra de hollín" (porque Pete tiene que subir por las chimeneas para entregar sus regalos. 

For Belgian children, it is customary to put one shoe in front of the fireplace,sing Sinterklaas songs and go to bed. They leave a carrot and sugar cubes in the shoe as a treat for Sinterklaas' horse. The next morning the carrot is gone and the children find candy or a small present in their shoes. Drawings made by the children are put into the shoes as a present to Sinterklaas. Some leave a bottle of beer for Zwarte Piet and a cup of coffee for Sinterklaas/Los niños belgas, acostumbran a poner un zapato en frente de la chimenea, cantar canciones Sinterklaas e ir a la cama. Dejan una zanahoria y terrones de azúcar en el zapato como un regalo para el caballo de Sinterklaas. A la mañana siguiente la zanahoria se ha ido y los niños encuentran dulces o un pequeño regalo en sus zapatos. Los dibujos realizados por los niños se ponen en los zapatos como regalo para Sinterklaas. Algunos dejan una botella de cerveza por Zwarte Piet y una taza de café para Sinterklaas.

Sinterklaas replaces Christmas as a gift-giving occasion and it is amazing that the American traditions and globalization havent hit this part of the world, where the Sint is still popular. I got to see him in the streets of Leuven and I was as excited as any of the kids in the parade. Check the pics/Sinterklaas sustituye a la Navidad como la ocasión para la entrega de regalos y es sorprendente que las tradiciones y la globalización no han golpeado esta parte del mundo, donde el Sint sigue siendo popular.Lo Llegué a ver en las calles de Lovaina y yo estaba tan emocionada como cualquiera de los niños en el desfile. Mira las fotos:

Rotselaar Lake + 30 something degrees

Belgian summer has a reputation, and not a good one. I guess the weather gods smiled at me again cause this has been the best summer of the last few years but 30 something degrees in a country like Belgium means being outside as much as possible cause A/Cs are not common around here. People keep telling me that I must be adapted to this weather but truth is, Maracaibo is the coldest city in Venezuela (old joke..A/C everywhere). El verano belga tiene una reputación que no es precisamente buena. Me imagino que los dioses del tiempo me sonrieron otra vez porque este ha sido el mejor veranos de los últimos años,pero más de 30 grados en un país como Bélgica significa estar afuera lo más que se pueda porque los aires acondicionados no son comunes por acá. La gente me sigue diciendo que debo estar acostumbrada a este clima pero la verdad es que Maracaibo es la ciudad más fría de Venezuela (chiste viejo).

 Me and my friends from Spain decided to go to Rotselaar where there´s a lake with cold water to freshen up. The bus ride takes 15mins (aprox.) plus a 10 mins walk but it is worth it! The road was beautiful, green and there is a very beautiful old tower that looks like the ones in fairytales. I dont have a camera at the moment, so I could take a picture of it but thanks to Victor I have a few photos to share. Mis amigos de España y yo decidimos irnos a Rotselaar donde hay un lago con agua fría para refrescarnos. El bus tarda como 15 mins. más la caminata de 10 mins pero vale la pena! El camino es muy bonito, todo verde y hay una vieja torre bellisima que parece de cuentos de hadas. No tengo cámara ahora pero gracias a Victor tengo unas poquitas fotos para compartir. 

 

My friends found my sunglasses kind of funny but Maria tried them on and they suit her! They even matched her swimsuit. That´s all for now, back to studying for an upcoming test. Wish me luck... A mis amigos le parecieron mis lentes un poco graciosos pero María se los probó y le quedaban super bien. Hasta le combinaban con el traje de baño. Esto es todo por ahora, y de vuelta a los libros porque tengo un examen pronto. Deseenme suerte...

A visit to the THUIS set

My friend Wim is one of the producers of the soap opera THUIS, a show that has been on tv since 1995 and it is broadcasted on Flemish television channel one . After several years the series has grown into one of the most watched television series of Flanders and attracts an average of one million viewers. Wim invited me and Gaston to go to the set and the explained all the process and it was truly fascinating how fast and hard people work to keep the show going / Mi amigo Wim is uno de los productores de la novela THUIS, un show que ha estado en la televisión desde 1995 que se transmite en el canal flamenco de televisión uno. Después de varios años la serie ha crecido hasta convertirse en uno de los programas de televisión mas vistos de Flanders y atrae  a un promedio de un millón de televidentes. Wim nos invito a mi a Gaston a ir al set y nos explicó todo el proceso y es verdadera fascinante ver lo rápido y duro que trabaja la gente involucrada para mantener el show en el aire. 

ready to go to the set!

El Dr. Geert Smeekens (Peter Rouffaer)

One of the coolest things was visiting the wardrobe and make up departments. We kept making joking about me looking like "Lynn" and I offered myself as her stunt double / Una de las cosas mas interesantes fue visitar los departamentos de vestuario y de maquillaje... Estuvimos haciendo chistes porque me parezco a "Lynn" y yo me ofreci a ser su doble.





the most shot set. marianne´s house.

wim y gaston

Gaston and I fooling around in the "hospital" / Gaston y yo tonteando en el "hospital"

fake food in one of the sets

Beer is so important in Belgium that even the creation of a new brand of beer was included in the story / La cerveza es tan importante en Bélgica que inclusive que la creación de una nueva cerveza fue incluida en la historia.



"Nancy" shooting in Dr Geert´s office- Nancy is one of the most popular characters of the show / "Nancy" filmando en la ofina del Dr. Geert.

btw, about my wishlist, i already bought the stockings and the cowboy shirts...

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings at the Ancienne Belgique

I went to the Ancienne Belgique to see Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings because my friend Wim invited me to join him and his friends. I was not a fan or anything and I had listened to a few songs before but since I´m more into some other genres I didnt think it was a big deal... but after seeing them live, I was converted! / Fui al Ancienne Belgique a ver a Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings porque mi amigo Wim me invitó. no era fan ni nada y había escuchado un par de canciones antes porque me gusta mas otro tipo de música así pero después de verla en vivo, me convertí!

Sharon is just an amazing singer with an outstanding stage presence ( as soon as she stepped out on stage I had goose bumps! ). She danced and sang non-stop for over 3 hours and the show was like a homage to soul and funk from the late 1960s to mid 1970s a la Motown, and her dance moves reminded me of Josephine Baker and even James Brown. / Sharon es una cantante increíble con una presencia en escena mas increíble aun (en cuanto salio al escenario se me pararon los pelos). Canto y bailo sin parar por mas de 3 horas y el show fue como un homenaje al soul y funk de finales de los 60 y mitad de los 70 a la Motown, y sus pasos de bailes me recuerdan a Josephine Baker e inclusive James Brown.

Miss Jones

Jennifer, Gaston, me and Wim!

FYI, The Dap Kings were Amy Winehouse´s band 

Looking good guys!

She kept cracking jokes all night, flirting with the guys in the audience and made a tribute to all the voices who had died recently (Etta, Whitney, Amy) and on top of that she was very humble and nice to everyone, she even took some time to sign autographs and pics with the fans /Estuvo toda la noche haciendo chistes y flirteando con los hombres del publico e hicieron un tributo a las voces que han muerto recientemente (Etta, Whitney, Amy) y encima se comporto muy humilde con la gente y firmo autógrafos y se tomo fotos con los fans. 

here are some videos so you can see what im talking about / algunos videos para que vean de lo que les hablo

and here

Bits of Brussels

Brussels  is the capital  of Belgium and the capital of the European Union (EU). It is also the largest urban area in Belgium and it hosts all the principal EU institutions as well as the headquarters of the NATO. It has all the advantages of a big city but at the same time, I don´t know what to think about it. On one hand, it has beautiful sights and attractions but on the other, it is kind of chaotic and not as organized as some other parts of Belgium, I guess I´ve developed some sort of love/hate relationship with the city. I like the city in general but sometimes I get the feeling that I´m not in the capital of Europe and it can be dangerous for Belgian standards - Venezuelan standards is a completely different story-  

Bruselas es la capital de Bélgica y la capital de la Unión Europea. También es la zona urbana mas grande de Bélgica y es allí donde se encuentran las principales instituciones de la UE así como también las oficinas de la OTAN. La ciudad tiene todas las ventajas de una ciudad grande pero al mismo tiempo, no se que pensar acerca de ella. Por un lado, tiene zonas bonitas y muchas cosas que ver pero en el otro, es un poco caótica y no es tan organizada como las otras partes de Bélgica, creo que he desarrollado una relación amor/odio con la ciudad. En general me gusta la ciudad pero a veces me siento como que no estoy en la capital de Europa y puede ser peligrosa para los estándares belgas - los estándares venezolanos son otra cosa-

Although I dont live in Brussels, it is very close to Leuven so I go there on a regular basis. These pictures were taken in different "trips", under different situations. This time Im focussing on the things I like about the city and sight that I´ve found pretty or interesting somehow...

Aunque no vivo en Bruselas, es muy cerca de Lovaina así que voy muy seguido. Estas fotos fueron tomadas en diferentes "viajes", bajo diferentes situaciones. Esta vez me enfoco en las cosas que me gustan de la ciudad y las cosas que me parecen bonitas o interesantes de alguna manera...

Bourse


Atomium

Saint Gery


Chocolate (Leonidas)




Apple flavoured-mannekin pis shaped chocolate


Isabel at the Bourse




Be welcome


Around Grand Place

Btw, I found this really cool video, its a 3d vision of Brussels. If youve never been there I think it would nice to see it