Wout's Place

This time in Antwerp I used Airbnb again but stayed at Wout's place because Michel's wasn't available. The flat was extremely bright and clean and the bed was crazy comfy, but I definitely preferred Michel's place since he sometimes lived there; Wout just rents out his flat and lives elsewhere. The walls at Wout's were all white and with the white drapes it kinda felt like a prison. My home in Jersey is covered in photographs and the walls are painted in rich, inviting colours, so this place was the polar opposite. I definitely appreciated the fantastic location of this apartment and it was super convenient, but by day three I realised that it was kind of a sad place. Wout was really great and totally accommodating, but next time around, I think I'll book my week with Michel.

 

I loved the pictures of Astrid and Leopold. 

  

I spent many a late night watching Animal Planet. It was Shark Month and I couldn't look away.

 

 

 

The rooftops from Wout's balcony.

  

The cleanest peepod ever. Only drawback is that the tub is so skinny! Definitely not designed for a gal with a little, um, black in the back, if you will.

 

Hey look! It's me!

 

And here is my Airbnb host, Wout!

Kopstraatje

Kopstraatje was definitely the high point for me. I have a strange sort of obsession with graffiti art and this little alleyway did not disappoint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Success at Media Markt!

Hooray!! Belgian films! I do so love Geert Van Rampelberg (the man is a living, walking dream) and I was so happy that Media Markt had Oud België and De Behandeling. Plus I was able to pick up a copy of Flying Home, which Ashlee and I tried to go see when we were in Antwerp in April. Flying Home features Jan Decleir and as far as I'm concerned, anything with that man is definitely worth checking out. He's incredible. 

Rubenshuis

 

 

 

 

Zurenborg

On my way to dALi's wysiwyg in Zurenborg, I clearly had to stop for chocolates at Goossens. I had read that this chocolatier outfits goodies for The White House, so I figured they probably didn't hate Americans. The gal behind the counter (the daughter of the shop's owner) was a complete doll. She even hooked me up with some vegan dark chocolate that is out. of. this. WORLD. I snagged some other delightful treats for Nicole, Ashlee, and of course, Bishop.

Then it was off to dALi's vintage shop on Lange Leemstraat. Again, the woman working there (who I believe was Lieven Fieremans who runs the shop with her son), was super nice and set me completely at ease. I scored a fabulous old man sweater and V-neck T-shirt, plus two neckties for Bishop. Sadly, I couldn't go too crazy since space in my luggage was limited. Next time I'll hafta bring a bigger boat.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

(photo kidnapped from modearte) 

Walked my arse on over to De Roma in Borgerhout to see Wes Anderson's latest film. The place was gorgeous; a lovely old theatre with a balcony and just the right amount of decay to make me fall in love with it. Reminded me of the Colonial in Phoenixville and the Castro out in San Francisco - just absolutely charming.

Oh and the movie? One of Wes' finest. That scene where Willem Dafoe chucks the cat out the window had me clutching my sides from laughing so hard. I wish I'd had more time to explore the Borgerhout neighbourhood. Next time, I guess!

 

 

(please excuse the craptasticness of the photos from my trip abroad - i had to take them with my iPhone and try not to seem obvious about it. baby was trying to blend in and seem like a local.)

The Loft on Cockerillkaai

First thing I did this morning was check out the one site Ashlee and I didn't get to see last time - the building from Loft. Lil' Ashlee's feetsies were riddled with blisters and Cockerillkaai is a 45 minute walk from Michel's apartment, and therefore an additional 45 minutes back. We had to admit defeet, er, I mean defeat and stay in. Lucky for me, Wout's place is less than 15 minutes from the building and there was not a soul around which allowed me to be all touristy and snap pictures with my iPhone, like the huge dork that I am.