Noses of Ghent: A Speciality

The above picture taken in Ghent, Belgium, in spring of 2014, shows 'The Noses of Ghent', or cuberdon, a special treat, ultra sweet, made with gum-arabic--originated in Ghent Belgium.  Traditionally, these sweets, that have the consistency and texture of hard jelly (unlike jell-o, more with the consistency of ginger candy--so slightly crusty on the outside, really soft and viscous on the inside), were made with raspberry.  But as is the case, always, today they come in several flavours.  I saw some in blueberry as well. I bought some  They tasted like fresh  berries put in a mould, with some extra sugar!!   Ghent, in Belgium is known for it, although they are also popular in France.  

Using 'nose' is obviously because of the candy's likeness to human nose, very similar to dummsugare ---the raisin and rum cakes wrapped in marzipan that are traditional sweets of Sweden ---Dummsugare literally means vacuum cleaner.  And since the sweets look like vacuum cleaner.....

Things that we learn when we travel!! 

A Tribute to Sweet Tooth

Godiva Shop in Brussels, Belgium

Confectioner rolling the chocalate balls in cocoa

Paddling for Power!!

Charging Corner: Antwerp Train Station, Antwerp, Belgium

The women were peddling away.  I wondered what they were doing. So, I asked….

'Oh, we are charging our cell phones.  But it charges only so long as you peddle'.  

What a great way, I thought for combining exercise with charing our phones.  I remember seeing exercise equipment in public parks in Thailand, which was used quite frequently by people.

While, I make it seem like these power centers were created for people to exercise, the truth is that they are created because they do not require providing electrical outlets.  They work in the same fashion as the lights on bicycles that get automatically charged during peddling.

Regardless, this is Europe's way of creating efficient tools for public's convenience.

And while we do feel powerful after exercising, in this case so do our mobile phones!! 

Gent at Night!

A friend who lives in Gent (Ghent) told me that Belgium used to be one of the most well lit European country.  But today due to focus on energy conservation, the cities have redesigned lighting around towns.  In towns, the lights are now placed on the ground.  Actually, a little under-ground, with a glass on top at the level of the ground, only to light the facade of the buildings.  

This is what the lonely Planet says about it---likable Ghent is often overlooked on the art town hop between Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. Compact and unpretentious, this lively town has all the things that make Flemish towns great--fab restaurants, Historic architecture, sublime chocolate shops--minus the crowd of Bruges and attitude of Antwerp.