Day 3

Unexpectedly, it is very cold that 16th of April. We assemble at the train station where Stijn, our tour guide for the city tour pick us up.

It is two degrees cold. It is way colder than my expectation. I only bring with him cardigans and sweaters to help me survive the cold. It turns out it isn't enough and I am not equip. My hands starts to feel sore and I couldn't bear the merciless cold taunting my cheeks.

But I enjoyed the tour, though.

In front of Kortrijk's new mall: K in Kortrijk found at the center of the shopping street.

Kortijk's shopping street at 8 in the morning.

Still smiling for the camera despite the cold.

In front of St. Martin's Church

Stijn is working in the city hall and was our delightful tour guide for that early morning icy walk.

Leonidas: One of the best chocolate shops in Belgium. But chocolates here are pretty expensive

We arrive at the city hall and they show us around before we sit down at the conference rooms of official to welcome us to their program and to tell us about the Belgian government.


Aside from learning about the political system of Belgium and how it's so complicated since Belgium is divided into 6 parliaments, I am also amazed at how the city government of Kortrijk particularly regard Architecture with great value. They also make sure that the buildings are built were they should purposely be. They are very particular with zoning and making changes of the facades of buildings. Aside from building new things, the city of Kortijk also wishes to preserve cultural sites.

After the interesting discussion, we head to the fourth floor of the city hall where we will usually have our lunch.

A panoramic view of the city (with me) from the balcony of the city hall's fourth floor. You an see the Bruel Tower just behind me.

After lunch, the program of the cultural exchange was discussed to us and the Deputy Mayor Mr. Alaine came to meet and welcome us to their beautiful city.

The Deputy Mayor Mr. Allaine

We finished activities early and Katrien, our host mom came to pick us up. We walk home from the city hall, but the amazing thing about Kortrijk as well as Hoofdorp is that everywhere you go seems walkable. Maybe because the streets are so strategically plan. Before going home, we drop by a popular shrine of Father Isidore.

People who got well because of the miraculous powers of Fr Isidore came to post their thank yous on this wall.

The shrine of Father Isidore is known for its many miracles, but unlike shrines in the Philippines like in Simala of Cebu or Manaog of Pampangga, there is absence of devotees. This is how I see  for the first time the difference of religiosity between Cebu and Kortrijk.

When we arrive home, I tell my host family I want to try biking around Kortrijk. Justein proposes to go to a nearby park with bike lanes safe for beginners. It is my first time biking in years and I wobble at first. I almost think I wouldn't get the hang of it until I'm finally riding it and spinning around the park with the bicycle. Too bad for J.Lo, she's too short for the bike. She walks Jos instead.

I think once you know how to ride a bike, you wouldn't forget how to do it.

I don't think we have dandelions in the Philippines, so I take the opportunity to blow some.

We have a lovely dinner after returning from the park. The family proposes we take a long walk around the city.

J.Lo walking the Shelty Jos and Justien

We go around the carnival.

We pass by the Bruel Towers. One tower is renovated.

Our walk around the city was special. Our host father Bart and host mother Katrien know a lot of things about Kortrijk. So, it was like being toured around the city with professional tour guides.

Bart telling us the history of the battle of 1302 wherein the Flemmish people defeated the French occupancies who used hooks called Golden Spurs on their heels to try to hasten the horses.This battle of 1302 was called the battle of the Golden Spurs.