In Bruges: Sightsee first, don't shoot anyone...it's not nice

Bruges (or locally ‘Brugge’) is the capital of West Flanders (‘Dutch’ speaking Belgium) and is arguably the tourist hub of Belgium and recently gained more attention being the setting for the film ‘In Bruges’. One week on from my trip with two friends to this sleepy medieval city, I uncover my unwatched copy of this film and as I read descriptions of guns, hit-men and the tag-line ‘Shoot first, sightsee later’, I can’t help but feel I missed out on the action somewhat, especially when I only did one of those things. However, this is not to say that my trip to the picturesque Flemish city was boring, unsatisfactory or without surprise.

Indeed, after changing from the Eurostar in Brussels (and its self-playing Grand Piano), to Bruges, our welcome was mixed. While I was made to feel at home by the unusual surprise of people playing cricket there, we were all unsettled when the taxi driver told us that the hostel I had booked was bankrupt and had been shut down. Once dropping us off, he then complained at us for making him, a taxi driver, bring us there (after taking the fare of course). It wasn’t the best start to our stay but fortunately there were no hiccups from then onwards. The hostel he was referring to was one the other side of town, although it had just come under new ownership, whom were very friendly, and so indeed is the city itself, one of the most welcoming I’ve been to in Europe; just make sure you don’t speak French however. Although basic, this quintessentially Flemish townhouse had a convivial, homely feel (with the steepest stairs I’ve ever used), situated in the medieval heart of the city.

 Towering over Bruges’ romantic, narrow winding streets are several imposing churches, perhaps the most impressive being ‘Our Lady of Bruges’ which besides having one of the world’s largest brick towers, has many historical and artistic pieces including ‘Madonna and Child’, believed to be the Michelangelo’s only sculpture to leave Italy in his lifetime. Indeed, the historic centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a joy for those appreciative of medieval and gothic architecture and culture. This is before one discovers the canals, which just add the extra element of romance to the city; the veins to the heart of city, helping give the nickname, ‘Venice of the North’. Although now they are now just for tourist boats (which I would recommend in order to see the entire centre), they were once vital to the economy and the growth the city, once one of the most important in medieval Europe. As well as its charm, its great preservation allows one to experience a cultural walk back through the city’s history and its era of great power, with some superb museums to help accompany this experience.

One of the more unusual attractions is the world’s only chip museum, Frietmuseum, which peels back through time to present the history of the humble chip. Although occasionally surreal at times and a very niche subject area, it is worth a visit if not to sample the chips themselves. Choco-Story follows in a similar, but chocolaty, manner, although it is probably better value for money, with a live demonstration and chocolate sculptures. The legendary taste of Belgian chocolate is easily to discover thanks to the numerous chocolate shops, as well as several beer shops, located around the ‘hub’ of the city, the Markt.

This square is the buzzing heart of the city, overlooked by an 83 metre high medieval bell tower, known as the Belfry. Also situated inside the city’s most iconic landmark are cultural exhibitions, including the works of Salvador Dali. This is an indication of a newer, modern dimension to Bruges, as a bustling, cultural centre for the arts and music, just waiting to be discovered. Bruges has an obvious romantic charm, with its winding medieval streets and canals, but this old, traditional city is also ready to accommodate the new, offering several attributes which will appeal to any type of traveller.  

Luxembourg: Small country with a big heart

This is an article I hope to send into my student newspaper, so it may sound a little different but thought it worth 'blogging':

When embarking on ones first solo trip abroad, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg isn’t the first place that springs to mind, especially given the relatively expensive nature of this European ‘microstate’.  However, it is one of Europe’s best kept secrets and is a three hour train journey from Brussels. It is manageable on a budget thanks to a superb standard of youth hostels and the ‘Luxembourg Card’, which is a ‘must’, giving free entrance to many Luxembourgish attractions and transport. The small capital city, the aptly named, ‘Luxembourg City’, has a population size similar to Wigan’s but packs great charming character with a mixture of Gallic and Germanic influences.

 The city is partitioned into four main areas, divided up by the city’s best asset, its dramatic, picturesque setting. The Alzette and Pétrusse rivers cut deep gorges, creating steep cliffs for the medieval fortifications, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. These protect the ‘Old Town’, which sits on top of a plateau, connected to the rest of the city by impressive viaducts and bridges. The fortifications can be explored through a series of spooky tunnelling casemates. Above ground, the old town clusters around two main squares, the impressive Place Guillaume and the homely Place d’Armes, with trendy restaurants and shops, as well as high quality museums. The Grand Duchy’s Palace is situated here and in the summer is open to the public. The Notre Dame cathedral is equally impressive, outside and inside, although perhaps the most notable site is the Gëlle Fra monument, a golden figure which towers over the city and its gorges.

In the shadow of the fortified centre is the ‘Grund’, a gentrified, chic area which maintains a ‘chocolate box’ Germanic village feel, with greenery and architecture which hugs the river. To the north-east of the city is the ‘Kirchberg’, symbolic of ‘new’ Luxembourg. Although a centre of soulless devotion to European governance and commerce, it is scattered with impressive architecture and contemporary sculptures, and is worth a visit for its political and economic significance, as well as its cultural highlights including the Philiharmonie. The capital encapsulates Luxembourg’s significance as a crossroads of Europe; a surprising, multi-faceted city with a diverse population and heritage. It is a microcosm of ‘Europeaness’, summing up ‘old’ and ‘new Europe’; with the old medieval fortress – the ‘Gibraltar of the North’, through to a new, united Europe, embodied by the Kirchberg.

In many respects this former European City of Culture is ideal for a short break; compact enough to be accessible, combined with charm and many surprises. It means one can get what they would want out of their short stay, whether it be partying, relaxing or sightseeing. It doesn’t have the Colosseum or the Eiffel Tower, but Luxembourg should be one of the first places that springs to mind when going abroad alone for the first time.

Should I Predict a Riot?

For your sake and mine, I'm going to try to keep this blog post shorter than my last one!

With the news and the attention of many British people focused on the riots across many the countries major cities, London, Birmingham and Manchester in particular, it seems perhaps a little unnecessary for me to blog when most people share similar thoughts of how despicable these acts of public disorder (an understatement to say the least). However, arguably what worth would my blog be without mentioning such a relatively major event; as my somewhat ironic mp3 player (do electronic devices hold personas?) reminded me when the songs "The Angry Mob" and "I Predict Riot" by Kaiser Chiefs came up on shuffle. However, should we have predicted these riots?

(I'll give you space to groan at the tenuous pun)

As immoral as we (the majority of society) can describe these acts, once the heat, quite literally, dies down, we need to ask why a a small percentage minority from a general sub-section of society, feel they can commit these criminal acts, to their/other communities without any moral conscience. Or even why they don't care that they are doing wrong. These aren't questions that are easy to answer, as each individual case is different to certain degree, and I won't attempt to answer/condemn these issues. That would be a a sociological/human geography essay in itself and I will wait to after my holidays to do another essay thank you very much! However, although not condoning these acts, it is a shame that it is only with these events that any attention is given to urban deprivation and the feeling that "no one cares" for urban poverty may have helped given some fuel to those involved.

However I must state, I think these issues were unlikely to be the forefront of the rioters' mind. Often it seems for many the excuses came later. Issues such as hatred of police, socially or racially (although I really do not see the riots an issue of race, or even any political motivation) may have contributed. But a 'pack' and 'copycat' mentality arose, tagging along some people to a commit crime, violence or theft, who would not normally consider it, with those who may be more used to such acts finally feeling a 'freedom' do it. Comments such as "treat us like scum and we'll act like it" or excuses like "VAT rises and cuts in public services" seem more like after thoughts and scapegoats, besides the fact it doesn't excuse these acts, especially when have often hurt people in the same boat, 'the local community', rather than the authorities. This in turn shows the selfishness of the rioters when many have similar issues but don't act in a similar manner; rather they are the ones that get hurt the most. There was no political, social, racial banner or cause to fight for; this was just mindless violence, greed and hurt.

These issues are more deep seated, often from a lack of guidance, imposing of right and wrong in often broken homes. But it isn't just this, broken homes and lack of guidance aren't unique to poverty stricken groups, but a lack of opportunity and the ease to slip into undesirable groups is more relevant to this part of society. These are issues to understand and address, not to hit hard on gangs as the government suggests, although tacking gang culture is right, this sort of language won't help, however neither will a 'softly-softly' approach. Ultimately it isn't a new problem (with no easy answer), it is one present since urban growth from industrialisation, although the intensity and awareness perhaps is, not helped by a growing neoliberal capitalist system that has reinforced the gap between rich and poor. Indeed this growth of a consumer culture has arguably created a feel of envy, greed and 'being owed by society' (often for nothing), these emotions and a feel of hopeless more a fuel to the riots. Additionally, some things cannot be helped, every level of society there are 'bad apples' who tend to er towards 'bad' than 'good'; Piers Morgan, Rupert Murdoch, all characters in Noddy (come get me). Equally even the best people will have 'bad' moments.

I want to finish on a good note however. I was so moved by Tariq Jehan, the father of Haroon, one of the victims killed by a car trying to protect their community. Instead of being ,understandably, vengeful and full of anger, he was strong, brave and calm, with his attention rather went towards maintaining peace, calm and unity in his community in Birmingham. I don't think I, or many others could manage to contain their upset and anger. This culminated in a peace rally in the area. This isn't the only act of community spirit; in London, Birmingham, Manchester, communities have rallied to condemn, unite and attempt to rebuild their community. I mentioned before a 'pack' mentality, I feel the majority of country has shown itself as a 'pack' united against these mindless acts of destruction of often their own community. While a minority of our country has shown itself in a 'bad' light; we should be proud that the majority of country, and some communities in particular, have shown so many 'good' qualities.

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R.I.P. to those victims of the riots and Best Wishes to those affected by the riots

What about ME? How much do we fight to the 'death'?

I didn't really want to, I wasn't expecting to, but I'm doing a ME post, due in large to a surprising little surge in media coverage over the last week. Don't just take my word for it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14326514
http://www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=7430

So 'death threats' to researchers has brought up the issue of ME research and the nature of the condition again. I'll try to be as objective as I can.

Your most loved blogger after finishing this post!

Any idea of death threats and abuse in any situation should not be tolerated and is shameful for whoever is making these threats. However, firstly one can perhaps question the genuine nature of these threats, from what evidence I can see, to call these actual 'death threats' seems a bit sensationalist. Although this may be subjective opinion, from what I hear, Dr Wessley does seem to exaggerate issues and to liken meeting M.E. sufferers to being less comfortable to being in Iraq/Afghanistan is both insulting to both sufferers and the bravery our troops. Nonetheless this abuse is unacceptable and actually counter-productive, disuading researchers from a field which struggles to gain the attention it should warrant considering its human and economic impacts.

However, where is this anger coming from? For many sufferers who watch while their quality of life dimishes to the point of sometimes being bed bound, the relative lack of progress in treatment can be very frustrating to say the least. With much research, including the infamous Dr. Wessley, focussed on the illness having a psychologial/psychosocial root. This, especially for sufferers, misunderstood and by no fault of their own, can be seen as somewhat insulting. Not for the outdated stigma for mental illness still unfortunately holds in society, but for the notion that with the right psychological therapy and mental attitude it will heal itself which, besides being simplistic, simply doesn't hold true. To go further it can push an idea "it is all in your head" or "everybody gets tired", an attitude which is insulting but nonetheless held by many in society, a ignorant attitude which still has to be dealt with, one I have had to deal with myself. The ignorance of such attitudes can in someways only be fully understood by those who have to endure the condition.

This not to say there is no psychological element, as how you feel mentally affects how you feel. Therefore psychological 'training' helps with recovery/support, and indeed is beneficial for everyone, ME related or not. However to push a sole line of research and treatment down this line isn't correct. As a good friend once said to me, all illnesses have a psychological and physical element.

Interestingly another neurological illness, MS, which bears many similarites to ME, gets a very different treatment by society and the health profession. From my experience, despite some understandably frustrating moments and days, having ME has probably made me mentally 'stronger', know myself better as a person, and grow up early; despite that physically I've probably got worse over time. Although pyschological elements may have prevented a sharper decline, it highlights that the 'physical/neurological' is the most significant in my opinion, but the nature of condition varies different people so it seems not an 'exact science', this very problem being an issue for 'scientific' reseach.

 Half the problem may lie in that we may be dealing with an umbrella term for a few illnesses rather than a sole one. Chronic fatigue may differ from ME, it may not. But the level of neurological, physical, psychological elements may vary, due to the person and/or perhaps the nature of illness. For some there is a desperation for a definite 'cure' and/or a cause (e.g. viral infection) and this overspills to anger which although understandable, is unhelpful for the health oneself or any research.

However, as much for those, especially in a severe state in the illness, will get frustrated and upset, as we all do, especially when we are at our weakest; obsessing and abusing isn't the right avenue. While looking to recover and have an interest, without wanting to sound insincere or blunt, especially when the condition is more severe for some, maybe it best to try to distract the best one can from it, 'keep calm, carry on' and put hope and faith in those in the scientific field. Without defending some of the misleading research carried out, we have little power and any energy needs to put into hope and making the best out life as we can; whether we have ME or not.

Impressive display from England in 1st Test

For those who don't like, or have no interest in cricket, maybe this is time to get a cup of tea or head off somewhere else for a while. Anyone still here? *silence* Right to continue...

The 1st Test between England and India at Lord's (indeed the 2000th Test) lived up to it's hype and despite my opening statement, managed to engage interest in those with little interest in the game. India were dealt a major blow with the absence of their best bowler Zaheer Khan early on the first day, and despite great effort from the remaining seamers Sharma and Kumar, especially on day 4, India struggled to take 20 wickets. Despite this misfortune, it was probably India's batting, or perhaps more fairly, a superb bowling performance from England that resulted in a convincing 196 win for the hosts. It was a great match which had intriguing passages of play, twists and some superb performances. Much credit has to go to the groundsman who prepared a pitch which allowed for a fair contest between bat and bowl. Anyho here are my much critically acclaimed match ratings for each player (out of 10):

England

Andrew Strauss - Made starts with the bat but played a loose shot under the pressure of Zaheer Khan and didn't do a whole lot better in the second innings. Although his form is of slight concern, he was a great leader of men in the field, but he did drop two sitters at first slip - 5

Alastair Cook - Every player has an off day, failed in both innings, he will hope his form won't fade and that India's bowlers don't find him out Great job as the team 'ball shiner' - 4

Jonathan Trott - Kept a cool head as always and battled hard in the first innings, giving much needed support to KP, but was unhappy with the lbw decision, but more disappointed by the loose shot he played in the second innings as England wobbled - 8

Kevin Pietersen - Played the innings everyone wanted him to do to set up the match for England in the first innings. Very scratchy and lucky on the first day and the following morning, but kept in and gritted away until he let his natural game take over for the remaing 100 odd runs, just at the right point in the match. A double ton played for the team - 10

Ian Bell - Aided Pietersen well and got a great start in the first innings but didn't go on and failed with England on the rocks later on in the match, but played his part. Took a great catch to dismiss Laxman - 6

Eoin Morgan - Duck in the first innings combined with giving his wicket away as England's last recognised batsman as collapsed on day 4. Fielding wasn't as great as normal either. Needs to get runs under pressure, especially as his place is the only real place under issue - 4

Matt Prior - Played selflessly to support KP and later to save and set up the game, seizing the initiative from a rampant India with his counter-attacking hundred when England most needed it. Tidy behind the stumps and a vocal support on the field too, some say he is the world's best wicketkeeper-batsman, and against his Indian counterpart especially, on his evidence you would be hard pressed to disagree - 10

Stuart Broad - Raised one or two eyebrows (including both of mine) when he was selected ahead of Bresnan after poor early season form, but confounded his critics in this match. Bowling full of a length and for probably the only time since 'that spell' against the Aussies in 2009, being consistentantly dangerous and threatening and deserved than the seven wickets he got in the match. Also played a crucial supporting knock to Prior in the second innings. - 9

Graeme Swann - Didn't take many wickets but was threatening and probably created wickets for others with his pressure, it wasn't a 'vintage' Swann performance, occaisionally bowling too short, but a typically good one nonetheless. Stuck a few blows with the bat too and probably winning the battle of the world's best spinner so far against Harbhajan Singh - 8

Chris Tremlett - Bowled and threatened well in both innings, took wickets and not much more to add apart from that. However, he showed a lot of heart in both innings to bowl that well when he was clearly carrying an injury - 8

James Anderson - Bowled well in the first innings but was superb in the second, using the slope and swing well, as did all the England bowlers. Bowled a lot of balls which were simply too good for the batsman; that is saying a lot considering the quality of India's batting lineup - 9

Overall - From a perfectionist perspective, minor concerns in areas of the batting order and the fielding wasn't quite up to their high standards, but bowling wise it was probably the most complete display since the MCG last December, and will have plenty of confidence ahead of Trent Bridge.

Hopefully will get round to doing India's rating, but I'm having a rest now!

Welcome!

Hello there, hope you are having a great day, or will have a great day, you know what I mean...

Well, starting a blog, who would have thought it, where to start!

 I'm David, a 20 year old British Geography student, love cricket, music (especially Muse, hence the pun on the username + URL), geography, history, archaeology, comedy and current affairs. I also suffer from M.E.(Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) which is a challenge I have to battle against. The title of this blog is linked to this, I may give some info on this I don't wish to draw loads of attention to it; in reality it is more homage to Alan Partridge than anything else (watch the clip below).

 

As you may have guessed by now I just love very bad puns. Far from this blog being Alan Partridge's idea of an interview interspersed with pop songs, this blog will just cover my thoughts and interests; current affairs, cricket, music etc. Hopefully you will be intrigued and engaged by debate and my take on the world; amazed by my many exciting antecdotes; impressd bi my accurate speeling; and wet yourself with laughter and joy, spreading the word over every hill our green and pleasant land that will call the 'Internet' about this blog and its overly long sentences and dodgy punctuation!

Well...hopefully....

Take care there!