Monday, February 02, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Kasteel Boekenberg
The castle was built for Maria Theresia Cornelia Kneiff, in 1752, and was designed by architect Jan Pieter Van Baurscheit. The castle and park have an interesting history. Willem Smets bought the manor in 1798 and build a tower . After many different owners it became, after being purchased by the municipality, a home for sick children. Later, in 1925, poor families are housed. Less then two years later, it was transformed into a hotel and restaurant for the rich. The park was opened to public in 1928. After a sale in 1955, to the Commission of Public Allowance, the castle was used as a rest home. Sold again in 1974, it has been reclassified and is now a home for young people.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Attacker kills 3 at Belgian nursery
(Francois Lenoir/Reuters)
A man placing flowers at the entrance of a nursery in which the knife attack occurred in Dendermonde on Friday.By Stephen Castle
International Herald Tribune
DENDERMONDE, Belgium: An attacker with a knife brought horror to this quiet Belgian town on Friday, killing two children under the age of three and one of their caregivers after tricking his way into a day-care center - then escaping on a bicycle.
In a frenzied attack for which a motive has yet to be established, the man, aged from 20 to 25 and wearing a bullet-proof vest, stabbed his victims after telling staff at the day-care center that he had a question for them, said Paul Putteman, chief of police in the village of Dendermonde.
Belgium has been traumatized by several high-profile child abductions and murders over the last 15 years, but the attack on the day-care center in the Sint-Gilles area has left the city in shock.
One of those who arrived shortly after the assailant fled described a scene of carnage.
"It was a catastrophe. People were screaming and crying, there was blood everywhere, babies were crying" said Theo Janssens, a social worker who was one the scene within five minutes. "People had children in their arms, they were bleeding. One of the children was already dead, another was in a bad situation," Janssens said. "And there was an adult - I think immediately dead."...(Click for remainder).
International Herald Tribune
DENDERMONDE, Belgium: An attacker with a knife brought horror to this quiet Belgian town on Friday, killing two children under the age of three and one of their caregivers after tricking his way into a day-care center - then escaping on a bicycle.
In a frenzied attack for which a motive has yet to be established, the man, aged from 20 to 25 and wearing a bullet-proof vest, stabbed his victims after telling staff at the day-care center that he had a question for them, said Paul Putteman, chief of police in the village of Dendermonde.
Belgium has been traumatized by several high-profile child abductions and murders over the last 15 years, but the attack on the day-care center in the Sint-Gilles area has left the city in shock.
One of those who arrived shortly after the assailant fled described a scene of carnage.
"It was a catastrophe. People were screaming and crying, there was blood everywhere, babies were crying" said Theo Janssens, a social worker who was one the scene within five minutes. "People had children in their arms, they were bleeding. One of the children was already dead, another was in a bad situation," Janssens said. "And there was an adult - I think immediately dead."...(Click for remainder).
UPDATE
No answers from accused assailant in Belgium
(Yves Herman/Reuters)
People crying during a march to pay tribute to the victims of a knife attack in a creche in Dendermonde on Sunday.By Stephen Castle
International Herald Tribune
BRUSSELS: Two days after the stabbing deaths of a 9-month-old girl, a 6-month-old boy and a 54-year-old child care worker, the 20-year-old man charged with the crimes was refusing Sunday to explain the frenzied attack on a day care center that has traumatized this town and shocked the nation.
But here in Belgium, the news media have dubbed the assailant the "Joker killer." Newspaper and television reports have said that the unemployed man under arrest was inspired by the character of the "Joker" in the most recent Batman movie and that he was planning to attack at least one more nursery.
The authorities have identified the accused man only as Kim D., though the media here have named him. The police said he had remained uncommunicative through at least four hours of interrogation.
His thin, pale face - framed by long, black hair - stares out from a variety of Web sites, in some cases juxtaposed with images of the Joker character portrayed by Heath Ledger in the Batman movie released last year.
In the small town of Dendermonde, north of Brussels, about 6,000 people attended a march and vigil Sunday for the victims....(Click for remainder).
International Herald Tribune
BRUSSELS: Two days after the stabbing deaths of a 9-month-old girl, a 6-month-old boy and a 54-year-old child care worker, the 20-year-old man charged with the crimes was refusing Sunday to explain the frenzied attack on a day care center that has traumatized this town and shocked the nation.
But here in Belgium, the news media have dubbed the assailant the "Joker killer." Newspaper and television reports have said that the unemployed man under arrest was inspired by the character of the "Joker" in the most recent Batman movie and that he was planning to attack at least one more nursery.
The authorities have identified the accused man only as Kim D., though the media here have named him. The police said he had remained uncommunicative through at least four hours of interrogation.
His thin, pale face - framed by long, black hair - stares out from a variety of Web sites, in some cases juxtaposed with images of the Joker character portrayed by Heath Ledger in the Batman movie released last year.
In the small town of Dendermonde, north of Brussels, about 6,000 people attended a march and vigil Sunday for the victims....(Click for remainder).
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
USS Wisconsin...Nothing to do With Belgium
As I'm sure you'll be able to see, this post has absolutely nothing to do with our adventures in Europe. Rather, this has to do with some great pictures my brother emailed of the ship I was stationed on during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. I just felt like sharing. If you have any questions about the ship, or my time in the Persian Gulf just post a comment, and I'll answer.
Banana?
As I've stated in a previous post or two, I'm still waiting for the Belgian bureaucracy to do its thing in order to receive my residency card. Much like the Green Card in the US, I need this card in order to work here in Belgium and the EU. Until that time I've been doing some private tutoring of a couple of kids from Antwerp British School (Jan's employer).
This picture of Aditya actually sums up this child's mental acuity. I really do hate saying that but sadly it's true. The child actually failed kindergarten! How does a child fail kindergarten? Not lining up correctly? Going out of the lines too much whilst coloring? It's been a chore trying to get this kid up to the level of his classmates.
"Aditya, please tell me what d-o-g spells?"
"Banana"
A Winter Wonderland
Welcome to our winter wonderland...well as near as we're going to get to it in Antwerp.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Another cold one
It's another figid day here in Antwerp. As of right now the temperature is a balmy -4°C (25°F), much colder than yesterday. We're only looking for a high of 35°F today. Luckily neither one of us needs to be outdoors much today. I think that I may go to the market for some fruit & veg, and maybe some nice Italian cheeses. If I do go I'll post come pictures. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, Yule, or whatever holiday you celebrate.
Bret
UPDATE
FYI if you'd like to see a larger version of the photo, just click on it and you'll be taken to our 
.
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Friday, December 26, 2008
Wandering around Antwerp
Jan and I, along with our friend Bernie, decided to do some wandering around Antwerp today. Along the way I saw some interesting things that I thought I would share.
It was a blistering cold day today, only reaching a high of 37ºF. That being said we still had fun wandering the streets of Antwerp. From the €4,600 Hermes bag to the €2 Belgian waffles, there was much to see, and dream about.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger image. Please leave us comments and let us know what you think.
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