June 9, 2000
{quick addition to the last post on Bouvignes-sur-Meuse, Belgium: the name of the ruins is: Crevecoeur}
June 9, 2000
Symbolic with engagement/the hardest know substance known to man, the diamond is and has been a major part of Antwerp's port where most of Europe's diamonds pass through.
In the diamond museum, open vaults contain samples of the glittering stones. Luckily there aren't too many posters hanging around to brainwash you into thinking that more diamonds are the only way to show you care, but there is a decent amount of time trying to show how controlled prices and a near monopoly in the diamond mining business is a good thing (yes, the display is sponsored by the big DeB)
The city, for the most part is a bit like Brussels but with a larger midevil center. A bit out of the way is an entire street with an eclectic collection of well kept Art Nouveau homes. Generally, I don't like this style, but here they look great and have hints of Gaudi if you really stretch things. One house is run down, but still inhabited, near the center giving it a haunted and thusly even more interesting look.