During national car-free day last weekend, Antwerp city used this “woman” dressed in erotic underwear to promote “riding a bike” near the riverbanks. She gave me a free photo shoot, although several shots are way too provocative to post at this place.
Come on guys, try riding a bike dressed like this 
Quote from the ‘Antwerp Pride’ website: www.antwerppride.com (check out event promo video 1, video 2)
“The city of Antwerp, clubs, cafés, fetish bars, erotic shops, bookshops, museums, LGBT organisations welcome you and your friends to Antwerp for the second edition of Antwerp Pride. Join ten thousands of visitors for an unforgettable pride weekend in Europe’s gay harbour, Antwerp. The combined forces of the large gay community and the support of the city of Antwerp will ensure another exciting edition.” Europe’s gay harbour? Someone must be joking. (But even the Russians in the Ukraine covered it]
OK, take two, now without the “we just love an influx of 30,000 cash-spending tourists, and we would bend over backwards to attract them, even if they came from Uranus” PR: ‘Antwerp Pride 2009 is a yearly gay event that focuses on its highlight, Navigaytion 2009, a commercial “drunken queens showing off on ten riverboats” event surrounded by numerous huge parties, an open air fetish & leather-scene show and countless activities where gay emancipation has long been replaced by cashing-in on the influx of gay tourists.
If you care for my 2008 Navigaytion pictures and video, feel free to check them out. Just added: some 2009 shots
[Update June 27, 10 pm: I just returned from Navigaytion, having taken 300 shots from the elevated riverbanks. Blazing sunshine, friendly & wild, be it with much less visitors. I was overcome by a "I've seen this too many times" feeling: people enjoying the culture of unadulterated narcissism in open air. The crowded was mixed (though +90% gay) with a yearly 'let's peek at this weird gay zoo" part where a large crowd of tourists and locals gazed at (and photographed) the Navigaytion crowd from the elevated riverside terraces. At times, it became funny, though slightly embarrassing. Anyway, Navigaytion 2009 turned out to be a predictable, perfect carbon-copy of its 2008 edition. "]</
Tom Boonen will start a major cycling race, today, in front of my door. Yes, I can take his picture, but why should I post them again? Update 1pm: I unexpectedly shot his photo (and 100s more), after almost being crushed trying to get near. Update 5pm: Alessandro Petacchi (Italy) just won this prestigious race, leaving Boonen way behind in a spectacular multi pile-up crash that blocked the entire road. Some rather amusing shots from my collection: Boonen, giving me the “hey, a fan” look (no longer, since Boonen was caught with cocaine), and Janssens, the Antwerp major, invisibly trying to fade into the background. Unlike last year, April 15 was an unusually warm day, with a crowd on the city beach and most cycling fans watching the race on their TVs. Coming up April 26: the 2009 Antwerp Marathon.
It’s a well-known fact politicians just love Santa. Much like themselves, Santa is overflowing with promises he can’t deliver, with a jolly “ho-ho-ho” attitude that conspicuously sounds like the verbal diarrhea most politicians are famous for. So we weren’t exactly surprised that when Santa came to Antwerp last Friday, our local dignitaries fell over each other for a chance to accompany his glittering golden coach, drawn by two snow white horses. The gold was, in line with all expectations, fake. But I digress.
Let me rewind to the moment Santa arrived at Antwerp Central station, a sumptuous 1900 style railway cathedral. I’m not sure how Santa reached your happy town (in a Hummer?), but given we’re European we do prefer the more classic touch. Suitable transportation meant a golden ride along the golden shopping mile, making convenient stops to push strategically positioned buttons, a generous act that lit up the exclusive upscale Antwerp shopping center, much like the legalized prostitution mega-complex near my home. As long there are flashing lights, people have a natural tendency to get into a suitable mindset. Stop me from digressing any further here.
Anyway, by the time Santa finally arrived at the Christmas village in front of Antwerp cathedral (a weird mix of seasonal XXX “marzipan penises”, “fresh juicy sheep bones for your dog” and 100 “eat until you drop” stands) my hands were virtually frozen, but trust me, I kept on following the camera crews from the mainstream media like a bloodhound, taking pictures until my finger went into stand-by mode.
Obviously, I did not miss the grand finale when Philip Heylen, alderman for Tourism of Antwerp (surrounded by more cops than a presidential candidate) finally allowed Santa to make his Christmas market speech, glorifying the benefits of a multi-cultural town. When my elderly neighbor suddenly loudly shouted she had been “mugged yet again in his multicultural shit city”, police gently escorted her away. Hey, if you start doubting the magic promised by the Antwerp PR dept, you will be assimilated , like in “When the truth starts to hurt, it’s time to remove it”. Although that may sound like a GW Bush statement, I did make it up myself. Really. Before I forget: when Santa pushed the “lights on” button, half the Antwerp Christmas market short-circuited, including the traditional 1900 era merry-go-round. An omen, for sure.
The evening ended with more seasonal glamor, with Philip Heylen opening the “Christmas funfair”, a most bizarre 2008 concept involving a giant Ferris wheel on the riverbanks, along with the banned booze-stands and a number of totally unseasonal fun rides (care to be “shaken upside down” at high speed in the freezing cold? Antwerp city believes you’ll love it).
The evening came to a spectacular close when Antwerp mayor Patrick Janssens (ex marketing company CEO) opened the city hall ice skating rink, with countless party members visitors waving glittering firework sticks. I for one preferred not to burn my fingers and had a free cup of instant soup, followed by a 60° proof liquor donated by the Norwegian embassy, those nice folks who provide the yearly tree in front of Antwerp cathedral [more seasonal opening night photos to follow asap].
When Santa almost crashed trying to skate a few meters/yards in that drag queen suite of his, I knew it was really time to go home.
I can only assume your Santa experience has been slightly more traditional, but do let me know if it wasn’t.
“Did you see the news?” my elderly neighbor said with rising indignation, “THEY got a 6% pay rise, while my pension fund has crashed to the floor”.
Belgium’s much criticized royal family are in for a rough ride these days, after a 6% “inflation compensation” increased their 2009 annual state-issued stipend to a staggering 13,853,000 EURO. “Trivial pocket money to pay for their every wimp”, given they inherited a huge family fortune, live rent-free in the palaces provided by the Belgian state, with Belgian king Albert (only a token figure without much power) spending much of his time cruising the warmer waters of the Mediterranean, far away from Belgium.
Much like many EU countries, the tiny but heavily indebted kingdom of Belgium is going through the worst economic crisis since its independence in 1830. With a significant part of the country desperately struggling to stay afloat, the royal “pay rise” provoked serious controversy.
Belgian King Albert II traditionally delivers a yearly public TV address to the nation, placing strong emphasis on universal human values: honesty, integrity, accountability (etc, etc) while evoking a spirit of “sharing”, being less egocentric in our ever more materialistic world. If he ever meant one single word, he should have said “no thanks, I don’t need this extra cash, give it to a worthy cause”. But he didn’t, making him a “money grabbing Catholic Saxen-Coburg“, like a local journalist bluntly put it. Rich Royalty with nothing but a token function: should we stop “feeding them” with tax Euros? [The Belgian Royal couple - Image credit: Tijd.be]
I’ve always cultivated a healthy “show me the merchandise” attitude towards people/bloggers who claim to be “artists”. Sure, some artworks can almost bring tears to my eyes, while other wannabes are only a legend in their own minds. Quite often there’s nothing but a thin line between a true budding artist and the online (yawn) dabbling of self-acclaimed blog stars, surrounding themselves with a dedicated but basically clueless “oh, that is amaaaazin” hardcore base of comment groupies who will cry “masterpiece!” at any triviality posted.
But it can get worse. CNews Canada reports that the much acclaimed Antwerp artist Jan Fabre “Spring is on its way” exhibit at Antwerp’s MuHKA museum of contemporary art is causing more than a stir, it’s actually emitting a real foul smell that makes paying visitors almost vomit on the spot. [Image Courtesy Antwerp modern art museum]
Quote: “ANTWERP, Belgium – Belgian conceptual artist Jan Fabre is creating another big stink in the art world. And more than a few museum-goers are expressing their distaste after touring Fabre’s “Spring is on its way” exhibit at Antwerp’s MuHKA museum of contemporary art. It consists of onions and potatoes hung from the ceiling in condoms and the vegetables are, well, spoiling.
Museum spokeswoman Kathleen Weyts defends the exhibit, saying that like many of his works, Fabre’s latest effort is “about transformation and metamorphosis.” But the local media reports that many visitors, not to mention museum guards, are protesting the smelly display, which has now become the talk of the town.”
So next time someone posts an “artwork”, make sure to smell the merchandise before you comment “great!”
Yes folks, we’re back home in good old Belgium, as I’m typing this post under a rather unexpected, clear blue Antwerp sky at 21°C/70°F. You know that feeling of slight derealization upon your return from a great vacation abroad? It actually feels weird adapting to the familiar yet profoundly different surroundings of my Antwerp home after the past days exploring the south coast of Turkey.
This “gay honeymoon replacing vacation” in Turkey has been absolutely stunning: from the breathtaking sights and sounds of a country I’d visited quite often before to the changes that are visible to anyone who has spent time/vacations in Turkey over the past 15 years.
A quick recap to bring you up to date after ten days of radio silence: having a “gay honeymoon” appeared to be perfectly possible at the upscale seaside resort of Bodrum, Turkey: as long as you’re not Turkish [being gay in Turkey remains a social taboo for a native, especially outside Istanbul] or expect a cheering crowd of hotel staff, nobody will really care if you hold hands or show affection in public. There are limits though and obviously, a “classic gay nightlife” is nowhere to be found, but the degree of tolerance includes accepting topless women at the hotel pool. One of our Turkish hotel waiters clearly was gay and bent over backwards to please my SO. I stopped him 
The numerous historic sites we visited were spectacular (although I’d seen them before), the “wow-level” of the prestigious 5* WOW Bodrum resort was truly breathtaking (wholeheartedly recommended at EUR 1,000/$ 1,500 a week in low season, do check out the WOW (World of Wonders) website), while I even managed (as it was the only realistic and mature approach) to completely ignore the omnipresent hordes of filthy rich, yet noisy, drunk and dumb/arrogant Russian tourists who have completely invaded the eastern Mediterranean coast the past five to ten years. One ‘fashion road kill’ Russian Paris Hilton lookalike (way too much jewelry, stiletto heels, blue ABBA-era make-up, mini-skirt short enough to show her sanitary pad: the full pathetic package) was so drunk on Vodka and Champagne that she bumped right into me with a full plate of fine Turkish delicacies. I laughed in her face, took her picture, followed by several more shots showing all the empty bottles she left behind. Free entertainment! [ Русские в Турции: богатых, наглых и пьян- Related blogpost: "Obnoxious Russians invade Turkey"].
Enjoy this first selection [please click to enlarge] out of 8 GB worth of photographs (almost 1,000 shots) and videos. Stay tuned, much more funny, unusual and moving images/ stories coming up. Feel free to share your vacation or honeymoon experiences in Turkey, even the straight ones 
[Update October 2nd: I've got a cold and some other medical issues that kept me from updating (Belgium: 10°C/50°F with heavy rain). I will post my Turkey pictures/stories as soon as I can comfortably spend longer periods in front of this pc. Thank you for holding.]
Transvestites, eh, art in front of the Antwerp Hilton last Sunday. Don’t blame me [please click to enlarge]
Twenty stages with top art performers across town, and these grrrls managed to outshine them all. Weird, isn’t it?
I know, I’m facing an ever increasing backlog of ‘promised images’: the recent yearly Antwerp Rubens market, followed by a unique visit inside Antwerp city hall (15th century, only very occasionally open to the public, with strict entry limitations), today’s “bollekes” feast [a downtown free beer for-all festival in celebration of Antwerp's favorite, still independent "De Koninck" ("The King") beer], the ongoing “Taste of Antwerp” gourmet dining-with-the-stars open air festival [Belgium's largest]: I’m looking at over 1,000 shots.
So let’s rewind and start off where I left you: at the August 15th Rubens market, which obviously offered more than vibrator vendors: 100,000 visitors packed the often narrow streets of historic downtown Antwerp. Remember this radiant Rubens beauty? Have a look at the thumbnail: yes, our one-night queen is selling shoes for a living I’ll post my shots to Flickr if I find the time to process the backlog. Enjoy! [just click to enlarge any of these images - especially the crowd photo clearly shows how packed the area really was]
I’m sure you’re all familiar with “American Beauty“, the 1999 drama feature film set in modern American suburbia, a much acclaimed (quote) ” dazzling tale of loneliness, desire and the hollowness of conformity”.
And no, I won’t be able to present you with anything even resembling the stunning qualities seen in the US original.
I can only show you one single picture, an image that radiates royal fun, joie de vivre and stunning beauty, while underneath there might well be a bored, everyday saleswoman, having that one-day break from her mundane existence. Enjoy. [Rubens Market: "Every year on August 15th, Antwerp recreates the atmosphere of the 1600 era olden age when Rubens was a painter. The city center is transformed into a colorful market featuring all kinds of stall sellers in traditional dress, shouting and singing in order to sell their products"]
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