h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Update - Brussels, Belgium - A2685396
Author: sprout - U192568

As promised, to go with the polished Belgium entry, a polished Brussels entry.

I've kept what was there before, but over half of this is now new - sections on museums, shopping, other things to see and some bits on Brussels as a place to live, as opposed to just a handy place for the weekend for Brits.

The original is A190090 - I will add the names of the original authors and contact them.

sprout

Because you've put nothing between the and the for the Musical Instrument Museum, the full title has been included in the text. THis includes "Brussels, Belgium" which is a bit of overkill. You should instead put the title Musical Instrument Museum in the Link.

You have a number of links which in the text are just labeled 'this site' or 'here' (the ones for restro.be and timeout.com spring to mind). It's generally regarded as good for accessibility not to do that but put in more descriptive links (eg instead of "This site is good for shopping, eating and drinking" putting "Time Out has a good site listing shopping, eating and drinking")

There is something about calling the Mannekin Piss 'the widler' in your paragrah on the Grand Place (in the Sights section) that doesn't seem to fit right with the rest of the text.

OK

Have corrected the museum link and most of the other not very descriptive links. They already have more descriptive titles for the right hand side of the page.

Changed 'widdler' to 'little chap' - any better?

sprout

I think that is better sprout

it's flea market --> its flea market
it's second hand shops --> its second-hand shops
monastries --> monasteries
kreik --> kriek
Grand' place --> Grand Place
the same way, only the regain --> the same way; only the regain
London style congestion charge --> London-style congestion charge

Grand' Place is spelt that way on a number of websites etc - I think it's a Brussels colloquialism?

sprout

OK. I wasn't aware of that. I can check with my brother who lives in Brussels if you like.

... and then let us know when you're ready

I've had a look around the web and you are right. Plenty of sites put in that apostrophe, so I'm happy that it should be there. I won't bother checking with my brother.

OK, thanks - I've corrected my two grocer's apostrophes and the other bits and pieces you kindly pointed out.

Jimster - I just wondered if there was a bit of a mix up - this one has only had 24 hours in the update forum, it's the general Belgium one that has had three weeks or so.



sprout

This one has had a week now, so along with the general Belgian entry (4 weeks) could be said to be ready, I guess.

sprout

Yep, I'm confused

I'll try to get round to swapping these over with the originals some time this week. Don't be afraid to post back here to remind me.

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'Update - Brussels, Belgium' to 'Brussels, Belgium'.

Brussels is ace, and the page about it here was mostly good too.

A couple of odities / discrepancies:

Advising tourists not to bother with the maneken pis is a bit perverse. It's less than two minutes walk from the Grand'Place. The only reason for a tourist not to see it would be so s/he could boast afterwards about not having seen it.

You refer to Molenbeek as a 'Dutch-speaking area'. In fact, the Flemings are pretty-well dispersed throughout the city, and I hadn't noticed any particular concentration in Molenbeek. Jette, I think, has two Dutch-speaking bars, so may have a slightly larger concentration, but even then, I wouldn't swear to it.

You recommend a trip to the Atomium. Be warned, this may be worth doing if they've washed the windows recently, but they don't wash the windows every day. A more reliable view (because there's no dirty glass in the way) can be had from the viewing gallery of the Basilica at Koekelberg.

You describe Rue Neuve as being near to the Gare du Nord. OK - one end of it is five minutes walk from the station, but the other end is even closer to the Grand'Place. Why not say it's near the Grand'Place?

(Picky little b*gg*r, aren't I? Soz.)

Again some good points here:

True - you might as well go the extra few metres. The Grand Place is more impressive though.

I've been to places in Molenbeek where the waiters only speak Dutch (or Turkish). Jette has a high Dutch concentration as well, for sure.

Thanks for the Basilica suggestion - I haven't been there. It should be incorporated in the next update.

I guess the compromise suggestion would be to say it's between the one and t'other!

Thanks for reading it so carefully - if you fancy collaborating on any further Belgian articles, leave me a message.

sprout

Thanks for replying.

"I've been to places in Molenbeek where the waiters only speak Dutch...."

Names of such places would be appreciated. (Statement of interest: I live in walking distance of Molenbeek, speak better Dutch than French and passionately love Belgian beer.)

Regards,
Xeno

OK - the place I went in was in the Chaussée de Haechst, which come to think of it is probably in Schaerbeek, thus somewhat weakening my point...

Anyway, Jimster, could we have three small changes please:

1) In the second paragraph delete the comma and "like Molenbeek".

2) In the sights section, add a new fourth bullet point. "Another large building you might notice on the Brussels skyline is the Koekelberg basilica. This has a viewing gallery as well, and unlike the Atomium, has no windows to get dirty either.

3) In the shops section, last para change the bracket to "between the Gare du Nord and the Grand' Place".

I'll get to Belgium next.

sprout