Guide to Antwerp.

[Snoopy]

If anyone plans on traveling through Europe and Belgium, I will be happy to guide you through Flanders and mostly the center of Antwerp. My wife knows a lot about the history of this city and the oldest buildings. I can show you the best bars, restaurants, places to chill, clubs, record stores, etc. The center of the city isn't that big and we can see most of it on foot. I'll drive you around the city providing you don't make a mess of my car.

Anyone here who is also from the Flanders but other cities, like Ghent or Bruges should join in on the guiding fun. I know there are a few Belgians on here so this should be fun.

Just let me know if you're passing through Belgium/Holland and we'll hook up. Providing you're not a drugs or sex tourist.

[Satyr]

Yes, I'm from Belgium too (Grobbendonk, close to Herentals. Perhaps you know the place, Snoopy? It's not that far from Antwerp). I'd love to be a guide, but unfortunately my timeschedule doesn't allow it nor do I have a car. On top of that, I live in a really shit town.

Anyway, I'd recommend seeing Belgium to anyone. Quite a lot of things to see down here AND we have great beer.

[Snoopy]

Yes, I'm from Belgium too (Grobbendonk, close to Herentals. Perhaps you know the place, Snoopy? It's not that far from Antwerp). I'd love to be a guide, but unfortunately my timeschedule doesn't allow it nor do I have a car. On top of that, I live in a really shit town.

Anyway, I'd recommend seeing Belgium to anyone. Quite a lot of things to see down here AND we have great beer.

I've driven through Grobbendonk once and got lost actually. I ended up at some castle and a beautiful landscape. Really awesome. It was private property though and I was trespassing. God damn GPS navigation.

And yes, the beer. A friend of mine works at Palm Breweries and I'll see with him about tours around the brewery. They have a great restaurant there as well.

[Sybil]

And I can guide in Leuven. Gorgeous city, like Brussels, only less rotten. Only during weekends though since I have classes during the week.

And if you do come to Belgium go anywhere but Brussels, it really isn't representative for Belgium.

[Snoopy]

And I can guide in Leuven. Gorgeous city, like Brussels, only less rotten. Only during weekends though since I have classes during the week.

And if you do come to Belgium go anywhere but Brussels, it really isn't representative for Belgium.

I agree with this. That parts of Brussels that aren't crime riddled and full of trashy minorities are pretty soulless. The only thing you can do there is fuck with NATO HQ's security. I know a few guys that work there with G4S. One of them "accidentally" put a S&W .38 Special against the head of some diplomat. Apparently the diplomat shit his pants. Great lulz.

[Satyr]

Yeah, Brussels sucks. The innercity is waaaay to tourist for me, and when you go to the living-areas, it's awful. Look at Anderlecht. When I first came there, I was quite shocked. It's so... Dirty.

Oh, and the biggest pride, Manneke Pis is worthy of its name: it's piss. Really, I don't get why everyone wants to go and see a 35 cm bronze statue of a little boy taking a piss. I mean, we Belgians already have a rep for being pedophiles, so that really ain't helping.
The only thing worthwhile and actually fun to go to in Brussels are 'de Marollen'.

Another place I would recommend is Hasselt. Great city, imo.

[Snoopy]

Another place I would recommend is Hasselt. Great city, imo.

My mother in law lives there. Great city, funloving people, although they talk a bit funny. Small and cosy, clean with a lot of calm places to chill out. The Japanese Garden is really great to visit.

[Vox Ducis]

've been several times in Belgium as I have family there.

The center of Brussels is pleasant to visit, especially around the Grote Markt. But in municipalities such as Sint-Jost-Ten-Node or Schaarbeek, there are not many Belgians around. Only Turks, Albanians and Moroccans fighting each other all night.

Each time I went to Antwerp, I was obliged to follow my mother and aunts as they entered each and every jewellery in Pelikaanstraat. They have damn good merchandise, but it's very boring to spend two or more hours watching rings, earrings, etc.
The zoo is great. It deserves its reputation.

[Snoopy]

've been several times in Belgium as I have family there.

The center of Brussels is pleasant to visit, especially around the Grote Markt. But in municipalities such as Sint-Jost-Ten-Node or Schaarbeek, there are not many Belgians around. Only Turks, Albanians and Moroccans fighting each other all night.

Each time I went to Antwerp, I was obliged to follow my mother and aunts as they entered each and every jewellery in Pelikaanstraat. They have damn good merchandise, but it's very boring to spend two or more hours watching rings, earrings, etc.
The zoo is great. It deserves its reputation.

I used to live 5 minutes from Pelikaanstraat. Still have an address there. :p

The only fun there is when there's a raid. Pretty shitty part of the city.

[Wraith]

I might take you guys up on your offer in about a year, when I have enough money to spare.

Would it be a big deal not knowing the local language?

[Sybil]

Most people can speak English here. And Belgians are mostly very proud of their multi-lingual abilities :p(except if you're also going in the French part, the French Belgians, only speak French :mad:). But ofcourse, as in every country, it's always appreciated when you speak a couple of words of the language.

[Satyr]

Normally, in the Flemmish part, people will understand Dutch, English, French and sometimes German.

As said, that's only true for the Flemmish part. French part only knows French. Maybe a little German too.

[Wraith]

Most people can speak English here. And Belgians are mostly very proud of their multi-lingual abilities :p(except if you're also going in the French part, the French Belgians, only speak French :mad:). But ofcourse, as in every country, it's always appreciated when you speak a couple of words of the language.

I'd try of course, but with my limited free time, and no actual courses available to me at the moment, I'd be able to speak to the extent of "That car is red." or "Where are the bathrooms?" and then most likely not be able to comprehend the answer and eventually they would just point the direction.

What language would you suggest I at least try to do that much in, Dutch or German I'm assuming, but which one? I'm planning on taking German courses when they become available for me, and I'm working on Spanish now, but I'm just going to assume that'll be useless, so I'd probably try to be able to speak enough German to at least show people I'm not just some straight up asshole who doesn't really care about their culture and just likes to look at pretty scenery.

[Sybil]

I'd try of course, but with my limited free time, and no actual courses available to me at the moment, I'd be able to speak to the extent of "That car is red." or "Where are the bathrooms?" and then most likely not be able to comprehend the answer and eventually they would just point the direction.

What language would you suggest I at least try to do that much in, Dutch or German I'm assuming, but which one? I'm planning on taking German courses when they become available for me, and I'm working on Spanish now, but I'm just going to assume that'll be useless, so I'd probably try to be able to speak enough German to at least show people I'm not just some straight up asshole who doesn't really care about their culture and just likes to look at pretty scenery.

German would actually not be a good idea. The German population of Belgium is about 40.000 I think, and they're not in the Flemish part...obviously. The German speaking part of Belgium is located, obviously against the German border. Apart from that I think more people speak English in Belgium then German.

And if you speak German to a Belgian...you'll probably not only seem like an asshole, but like a dumbass asshole... It's just kindoff offensive. It's like saying "I'll speak Spanish against a French person cause it sounds the same." They sound the same, and yes you can understand some words, but it's a different language entirely, you'd just not be giving credit to the language we speak here which is Flemish.

[Wraith]

German would actually not be a good idea. The German population of Belgium is about 40.000 I think, and they're not in the Flemish part...obviously. The German speaking part of Belgium is located, obviously against the German border. Apart from that I think more people speak English in Belgium then German.

And if you speak German to a Belgian...you'll probably not only seem like an asshole, but like a dumbass asshole... It's just kindoff offensive. It's like saying "I'll speak Spanish against a French person cause it sounds the same." They sound the same, and yes you can understand some words, but it's a different language entirely, you'd just not be giving credit to the language we speak here which is Flemish.

Well, shit then. I'd still try my best to at least pick up a few words here and there of Flemish before going, if I do, but I really don't know how much that could be, as I'm planning on going all over Europe, and really don't have the time to learn all the languages of the areas I'm going.

Would there be an easy way to learn at least a simple phrase or two that would get people to talk in English to me, without being a complete dick about it?

[Snoopy]

Well, shit then. I'd still try my best to at least pick up a few words here and there of Flemish before going, if I do, but I really don't know how much that could be, as I'm planning on going all over Europe, and really don't have the time to learn all the languages of the areas I'm going.

Would there be an easy way to learn at least a simple phrase or two that would get people to talk in English to me, without being a complete dick about it?

English is fine. The people who don't speak English are not worth talking to.

[Sybil]

English is fine. The people who don't speak English are not worth talking to.

I actually agree with this too...