We Are all Atoms

The more I travel, the more it becomes easier to navigate through a city and its transportation system. Or maybe I’m just uber-comfortable with infographics like a subway chart or train routes?

The more I travel, the less intimidated I feel. With experience, I know what to look for in terms of markers and noting which direction I’m going and where I’ve come from. Usually by the second day in a city, I have it sorta mapped out in my head already.

The last time I was in Amsterdam was 15 years ago. That was my first international trip (not counting the US) and I remember how lost I felt in Amsterdam. Unlike Vancouver’s streets being in a grid pattern, Amsterdam’s streets are in a spider-webby pattern. One turn down an alley, then another, then another and you can’t retrace your steps. The streets all looks the same. This time to Amsterdam, I’m having no problems with directions or streets. Oh look, how I’ve grown.

Today’s adventure lead me to Antwerp, an hour train ride from Brussels. When I tell locals I’m heading to Antwerp, they ask me why? They tell me besides the draw of the Art-Ceco train station, there’s nothing really there. It’s an industrial city. It’s a smear.

Perhaps, I agree with the fact that there’s not much in terms of “attractions”, but there’s the Mode Museum, which is a museum of haute couture and that was worth the trip for me.

The MoMu is currently having an exhibit: Zbwlaarctk Masters of Black in Fashion and Costume. I had to check out Antwerp, Belgium’s fashion capital which spawned avant-garde designers such as Ann Demeulemeester, Martin Margiela, Olivier Theyskens and Dries van Noten. View more photos of this excellent exhibition on my Flickr album.

I had to decide between next seeing Rubenhuis or Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady. I chose the cathedral which is the largest gothic church in the lower countries. The cathedral’s current exhibition is Reunion: From Quienten Metsijs to Peter Paul Rubens, so I did get to see some Rubens.

The church is way impressive: the elaborately carved pulpit, the cupola dome which looked like a black onion, the schyven organ and the way the exhibit was set up was on both sides of the church. The paintings were hung against blood red banners, which set off the colours beautifully.

Seeing some of the Rubens, I was glad to have passed on the Rubenhuis. Ruben’s works are not really my flavour, although I would’ve probably been appreciative more of his home and studio instead. But can’t do it all in one day.

The reason I had to choose between one or the other was that I wanted to get back to Brussels to see The Atomium before it closed at 7pm. I got to the Atomium just before 5pm and it was still a motherflippin’ scorcher outside. This heatwave Europe’s going through is really something. The walk from the subway to the Atomium was a lengthy one and being that there was no shade or breeze was a bit taxing on the body.

Although a complete tourist trap, the Atomium is a sight to see. It’s wow-inspiring like the Eiffel Tower. It was built for the 1958 World Expo in Brussels. I liked it because it was a building shaped like an atom. Cuz how many buildings in the world are designed like a molecule?

The first thing everyone is required to do upon entering the Atomium is to hop in the elevator and in 22 seconds shoot up to the highest point, the viewing station with it’s 360 degree panoramic views.

View of mini Europe can be seen from the highest point of the Atomium.

Then we were ushered back to the main floor and told that we can visit all 4 spheres by taking a series of escalators and 80 steps. The escalator ride to the first sphere took 1 minute 15 seconds! But we had to be sure we wanted to do that because once you start on your upward climb, you must go all the way to the last sphere so that you can come down by the 186 steps. You can’t come back the same way you came from.

The Atomium is family friendly, so that even children can accomplish the climb and descent. And the fact that besides the viewing point, the rest of the Atomium spheres are covered, so you can’t see out. For those afraid of heights, you don’t actually see how high you are. Unlike climbing the Eiffel Tower.

For dinner, I decided to treat myself to more than just takeaways. I headed to the Grand Place, found Rue des Bouchers to try out Chez Leon, which is famous for its mussels and pomme frites.

San Diego Opera’s Ed and my tourist guide book had also raved about the mussels. And they were right. The mussels were tres tasty! I got the “smaller” portion for € 12,50. The mussels are cooked in white wine sauce infused with celery. I’m not a huge mussels person but I too, would recommend it.

Another night with Pichou. He comes in from somewhere on the roof after it gets dark, eats, drinks and then comes over for cuddles. A nice way to end the night.

I wonder if he’s confused at why the strange girl is in his house and where his human is? I wonder if he’ll notice when I return to Amsterdam in a couple of days. I know i’m gonna miss this little guy when I leave.