Fame is Antwerp

During my travels in Europe, i was delighted (batting eyelashes) to have landed in this beautiful town in Belgium. Its very old, like 1800 years old, or even older (wiki this fact, but im 90%sure). Antwerp has many subtle claims to fames, home to some of the greatest artists of the Baroque period, also to the world's contemporary fashion designers and architects, famous art and design schools, museum land, diamond central, and has the most famously delicious waffles, chocolates and fries...and if i were to personify the city, i would imagine it to be a SHE, and she is aging gracefully, she was a glamourous actress a long time ago, now she is always draped in pastel colored silk, and loves sunset walks on the riverbank. She reminded me of sophiscated femininity.

I loved her medieval streets and gothic style architecture. I was lost all the time, following narrow streets getting distracted by details, details, and so much of details! she reminded me to pay attention.

Fashion museum (MOMU) was an interesting place (Antwerp has a museum for everything), an exhibition about black clothing, featuring silhouettes by some of fashion's favorite designers and houses, who have special connection with black...like Chanel, Givenchy, Gareth Pugh and more...there were so much to absorb, to unlearn and to learn!

Think Twice (T2) is an a-m-a-z-i-n-g vintage store, but its not advisable to go there after you have visited the fashion museum, it will be like going grocery shopping on an empty stomach, you will end up bankrupting yourself by buying the whole store--which is what would've happened to me if i had inconveniently brought my cash card.

there are so many experiences i would recommend you to have, like going to the annual fun fair which has been happening for almost a hundred years--buy a beer, get on the carousel and watch the sunset with a friend.... eat loads of candy floss...and waffles and ice cream and fries till your stomach hurts...Go to a hat shop. buy a hat. go to all the galleries (ALL of them)...and they do have a very big H&M there. haha. except for jumping into the river, dont do it, the current will kill you. for real.

guess my point is, when traveling in europe, dont skip Belgium. of course Paris and Berlin are the spots but you will be surprised to find gems along the way, don't be afraid to jump off the train and pick them up.

Yang