The 9th Art

Belguim is known for a lot of things: Beer, Chocolate, Waffles, Frites (ok, the last is incorrectly attributed to the French but I will cover that in the next post).  What I didn't know until I was recently researching our trip to Brussels was that they are very well known as the capital of the 9th Art - Comics.  In fact, many consider Belgium the home of the comic strip.  Having given the world the Smurfs, Tin-Tin, Asterix and Obelix, I might have to agree.

In 1989, The Belgian Comic Book Center was opened (which we visited yesterday) and offered visitors a place to see the art and marketing behind some of the most famous comics in Europe.  Two years later, a commision was formed between the Brussels government and the Comic Book Center to embellish the empty walls that dotted the city and remind people about Belgium's role in the comic trade.  Today, there are over 50 comics depicted on walls all over the city, most located inside the city center (called the pentagon) and Brussels provides a detailed map and route of the murals at its information centers.  Of course, we picked one up and spent a couple of hours each day searching them out in between eating, drinking and our other sightseeing duties.  I have compiled a selection of some of my favorites...

"Broussaille"

This is the very first mural painted in July 1991.

"Victor Sackville"

"Tin-Tin"

"Ric Hochet"

"The Angel"

"Nero"

"Asterix and Obelix"

"Lucky Luke"

"Nick's Dream"

"Cori the Ship Boy"

"Cubitus"

The furry dog takes the Manneqen Pis's place and the Manneqen doesn't seem too pleased.

And we can't forget the comic statues that pop up at the top of stairs...

Wies'n Wandering

One morning last week I dropped the kids off and hit the Oktoberfest grounds solo.  I grabbed my camera, a monopod and two of my favorite lenses and set off to spend an hour or two just capturing my surroundings.  I had no distractions and no one waiting for me to snap the picture and move on.  I people watched and I talked my way into a press pass or two for inside the tents (no tri- or monopods allowed except for press) and I just took it all in.  I got to experience Oktoberfest in a new way and loved every minute of it.  A few (or a lot) of my favorite pictures...

Costume and Rifleman Parade

One of the highlights of Oktoberfest, at least for me, is the Trachten und Schützenzug (Costume and Rifleman) Parade that has taken place since celebrating the silver wedding anniversary of Ludwig and Therese all those years ago.  The parade has grown in grandeur ever since and now has over 9000 participants (on 4 legs, on 2 legs and even on wheels) that march 7km (4.35) miles through the streets of Munich for approximately 3 hours.  Unlike the opening parade the day before, which brings the necessities of Oktoberfest to the grounds - the beer, pulled by horse and carriage, the waiters and waitresses who will work tirelessly for 17 days to serve that beer, the bands that will play "Ein Prosit" until their ears bleed and the landlords of the tents proudly waving to the crowds - The Costume and Rifleman Parade brings the Pomp and Circumstance.

We were running a bit late that morning because MadHatter had just gotten back from her field trip the day before and truly needed the sleep.  And truthfully, the weather was a bit yuck so we were in no hurry to stand and wait for it to start.  Which meant that by the time we got there the crowds were deep, but we somehow lucked out and found a spot, under a tree, right in front.  It may be it was empty because no adult could possible stand up straight under the said tree but since I was crouching to take pictures anyway, it was no problem.

We only stayed for an hour but what an hour!  See for yourselves...And then join us next year and see it in person!