Things you see in Brussels

Situated on the northern outskirts of Brussels, between the royal estates of Laeken and Stuyvenbergh, and the chaussée romaine, the former Osseghem plateau consisted of meadows and fields during the nineteenth century.

In the city there are some must see's and one of them is the Atomium - that was built for the world fair in 1958 - and it was designed by André Waterkeyes. The Brussels World’s Fair was held from 17 April to 19 October 1958 and hosted more than 42 million visitors. It was the first major world exposition after the war; the previous world’s fair had been held in New York in 1939, when the German troops were invading Poland. The Atomium has currently been renovated and it is is situated next to Bruparck amusement park at Boulevard du Centenaire. 

The Atomium is probably the most significant sign of Brussels, just as the Eiffel tower is for Paris. Everyone of the nine balls is 18 meters wide. The escalators installed inside the tubes of the Atomium are amongst the longest in Europe.

The traffic is killing in Bruxelles - you have to relax otherwise....

TRAFFIC IN BRUSSELS

One of the thing that you don't wanna see but that you cannot avoid - is the traffic. The traffic in Brussels is tight and blocked every morning and afternoon. Amazingly the locals take in easy there is a understanding that nothing can be done in order to improve the situation. You just hang in there - you almost never hear anyone use their horn - there is just this quiet acceptance of the matter.

I have to laught at the traffic every morning, because they are sending out police officers in almost every crossing in the inner city. Every police officer have their own way of solving the traffic problem in their unique cross. The effect of this is that the light are only guiding and this means that the traffic is more blocked than it would be if they where not there. Sometimes the police is only concentrating on writing fines. The traffic is totally out of control and they just stand and write down license plates to give you a fine.

Parking is another fantastic story of Brussels - you just park your car whereever you feel there is space for you - in a roundabout is a perfect spot - even crossings will work. The worst area for this is in the evening in Ixelles. There is only one rule - go for it. In the beginning I was driving round to find a parking space. Today a just make a "Brussel" - but don't do it in other cities in Belgium, because there are other local rules in every other city. 

By the way I have just got my first fine - it had to come ! I was parked in a pedestrian crossing, it was not that bad it was just with my front wheels there.