You are probably aware that Belgium has loads of waffles, beers, and chocolates. But what you don't know is that Belgium is full of festivals. Everywhere. All the time. There's always something going on somewhere in Flanders, and usually in more than one city at once. They LOVE events and special days. Which can be a little overwhelming at first (how do I make sure I don't miss out on the fun?) but is a wonderful way to get to know the country. And see how strange the people truly are (very).Two weekends ago I met a few friends in Gent, which is about a half hour away by train and where my dad lived for a year on a job assignment. It's a beautiful old city that was one of the richest in Europe during Medieval times and still holds an eerie castle built in 1180. In 1500, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor was born in Gent, and the Treaty of Ghent was signed there (obvi) a few centuries later, ending the war of 1812. Currently it's the second largest municipality in Belgium and a major university town. Plus, they have LOTS of festivals!
I met up with Anne, who's from France, and Anna, Caro, and Jule who are German, and we had a wonderful and unexpected time wandering the city. There seemed to be several events happening on that one Saturday- and thus people everywhere. The first encounter we had with the festivities was the duck parade. What's a duck parade? A parade of ducks. In a row. 
With a marching-band man in front and another in back playing a duck-friendly march, naturally. We're still not sure how they got those ducks to stay together and even in line throughout the city (and the crowds!) but they must have had some duck whistles or something we couldn't hear. It was impressive and bizarre, so characteristically Belgian.
With a marching-band man in front and another in back playing a duck-friendly march, naturally. We're still not sure how they got those ducks to stay together and even in line throughout the city (and the crowds!) but they must have had some duck whistles or something we couldn't hear. It was impressive and bizarre, so characteristically Belgian.Then we ran into some sort of play. There were people dressed up in oversized costumes that reminded me of a mix of Russian folklore a
nd the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Kids were in costumes and walked around with signs saying things like "3 months later" and "the end" (in Dutch, of course), and then some people played instruments and everone else danced as they began to move around the canal on their own play parade. So we followed!
nd the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Kids were in costumes and walked around with signs saying things like "3 months later" and "the end" (in Dutch, of course), and then some people played instruments and everone else danced as they began to move around the canal on their own play parade. So we followed!The big part of our day was De Beloften, the battle of the bands that takes place every year in Gent and other cities; it's a province-by-province battle, so you have to be from East Flanders to participate in this one. It was SO COOL! First, the setting...it was held near an old medieval wall on grassy grounds near a canal, under a canopy of trees woven with strings of white lights and dotted with various tents selling local delicacies and beer. Plus we got our picture on beer labels, so that was 
cool, too. The battle includes a handful of bands who have made it into the final round, and they each play 3 songs followed by the audience voting for their favorite. While the votes are being tallied the winning band from last year plays. I've never heard of these guys, but I was told that winning De Beloften is a big deal and you become well known in Belgium.
cool, too. The battle includes a handful of bands who have made it into the final round, and they each play 3 songs followed by the audience voting for their favorite. While the votes are being tallied the winning band from last year plays. I've never heard of these guys, but I was told that winning De Beloften is a big deal and you become well known in Belgium. The five of us had a wonderful time! Apparently Belgians don't dance at
concerts (told you they were weird), but we do! Everyone was staring at us because we were rockin it out, but we didn't care! As many people know, I'm very good at making friends...and we made friends with one of the bands from the competition, called The Outskirts. They were so interesting to talk to, especially just to get a feel for the event and the bands. We're now planning on being groupies, following them to their next concert in the exotic Veurne, Belgium. What can I say, we're glamorous like that.
concerts (told you they were weird), but we do! Everyone was staring at us because we were rockin it out, but we didn't care! As many people know, I'm very good at making friends...and we made friends with one of the bands from the competition, called The Outskirts. They were so interesting to talk to, especially just to get a feel for the event and the bands. We're now planning on being groupies, following them to their next concert in the exotic Veurne, Belgium. What can I say, we're glamorous like that. 
The apex of the evening was the concert on the main canal. There was a large symphony structure sitting a bridge from where we could hear beautiful classical music. Starting around 9:30, the event was held under the stars on the water with different shades of lights and light patterns decorating the surrounding buildings. It was really special just standing there, looking and listening with so many other people, and with some new (good) friends:) It was a moment where I just thought, "Gd, I love life!" That's the first of the festival of festivals, I'll hopefully post about one or two more tomorrow! Stay tuned for a Belgian Rosh Hashana (apples with honey beer, anyone?) and Autoloze Zondag.
xoxo
kw
(Dad) I see my hotel in the last picture!
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