Mama

Life is never constant...always on the move. Some good ones, some bad. You complained the bad ones, and pray for more good ones to come. 

But as a Muslim, you submit. Through thick and thin...because of a simple fact. We are just the servant of Allah, a slave. After all, in prayer; five times a day we recite 

Say (O Muhammad p.b.u.h) "verily my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the 'Alamin (Universe, mankind, everything that exist)

Surah Al-An'aam, verse 162

Now, we are rushing home. Back to Malaysia...Mama is not well. I will be away in the mean time, insyaAllah (Allah willing) will write something soon. Right now, family comes first.

I wish to thank you all for the du'a and prayer and well wishers for my mother, I appreciate it all. Thank you or terima kasih.

Ben, Mama and Fay during Eid (Salah) 2010

BELGIUM: Brussels: Going Home (Day 6)

Everything comes to and end....the worse part is when you somehow got the hang of it..but need to leave for home. 

The name of our lodging during our stay was apartmensapart.com . They also advertise in Booking.com, the portal which we usually use for hotel reservation. 

other location of the apartments

the living hall

 they prefer the sofa...

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 5) - One last stroll....

The best day to walk around is usually on the last day of the visit. Trust me....Last year, my friends and I spent 2 weeks in Europe and the last 2 days were phenomenal. Same thing happened in Brussels...it was either raining or just gloomy weather. But on the last day, the sun was out in its full glory.

The last day is usually the day to buy some grocery and souvenirs. The weather was nice, cool air and my sinuses well behaved....I went to a bookshop, not actually book shop but a 'Japanimation' store (click here) at Rue Saint-Catherine....the area looked like a mini China-town in Brussels, IMHO.

visitors and mourners at Belgian Stock Exchange

Tin Tin cartoon at the side
of a building

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 4) - Pissing and chocolate sampling

Right after our hearty breakfast, courtesy of Madam...we strolled around the area navigating using the tourist map  (found around the area) showing all the attractions within our vicinity.

The first task we did was to look for an iconic statue of this city, but in a female form. The location on the map put her in a cul-de-sac (no exit, no through road, dead end) packed with cafe and restaurants at Rue de Bouchers.

the cut-de-sac or dead end, full
with cafes and pubs sign

Jeanneke Pis

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 3)

Day 3, we left the apartment earlier. Madam insist we leave early so we could cover more ground today.

The plan was to visit the Army and Military History Museum first, followed by the Natural History Museum. 

We took the Metro...again, stop at Merode station and walk to the Army and Military History Museum which is at the Cinquantenaire Park (Ben said its the 50th Anniversary Park), created in 1880. 

The Triumphal Arch

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 2)

Had breakfast and a few minutes stroll, we arrived at De Brouckere metro station. Like I mentioned in the previous posting, army presence were high. At every corner of the station, there would be a pair of them on duty and stopping checking our bags ..... you know just in case. I am totally cool, thanks for "Lagos School of Life".

I can tell you, I felt safe to see all these men in uniforms with machine guns patrolling the station and street....just like Lagos. Not to mock anyone...but you do feel safe. The children got to see other types of machine guns, other than AK-47 that they're so fond of using....again in Lagos. 

Took the metro number 6 to the end of line towards Roi Baudouin (Heysel station was closed)....to visit the Atomium and Mini-Euro.