Manneken Piss-a bronze sculpture of a nude child is one of the most famous statues in Brussels.
I found neither wood apples nor mangoes, but came across shops with chocolates and waffles on every street. A festive ambience has embraced Brussels, the capital of Belgium, today with a mind-blowing weather. Grand Place, the prime marketplace of the city is spilling over with visitors. The spellbinding fragrances of various chocolates and waffles have flown across all lanes and avenues.
Surrendering to my sense of appetite, I munched chocolates with waffles to my heart's content which caused a little delay to attend the afternoon meeting. But that's no big deal. I can sacrifice everything for the sake of voracity. My recently bulging out tummy is an evidence of the gluttony I am habituated with.
My favourite place in this marketplace is La Boutique Tintin. It is a museum cum shopping complex displaying different things about the brave Belgian young man Tintin characterized by Hertz. Tintin occupied a special spot during my childhood. La Boutique Tintin is not so big a shopping mall but I can easily spend a great deal of time over there. I recall my boyhood memories glancing back at my tender days when Tintin was my hero. My father was fond of reading Tintin comics too. I still remember those sweet days when me and my father used to scramble over new Tintin books.
Just a few yards away from the shops, there is located the famous Manneken Piss-the bronze sculpture of a pissing nude child. This sculpture is 400 years old. Every time 50 to 60 people are ready with cameras to take pictures with this pissing child. It is surprising to think that people visit Brussels from remote places to take a look at a urinating statue.
People in this country move out of their homes with boundless enthusiasm as soon as they catch the glimpse of a little sunlight. Construction workers get down to their jobs briskly to repair roads and highways when there is sunshine. Today under a temperature of 30 degree Celsius, one fourth of the roads seem to be crowded by repairing and maintenance employees. As a result it caused traffic jam which is why I came back to my hotel room late. Most of my companions were at that time waiting for me on sidewalks or in the hotel's lobby.
I somehow managed to mingle in the group. Fortunately the rented bus delayed to arrive. Otherwise I would have to face some scolding from my fellow travellers. We reached 'Bangladesh House' by bus which is located a little outside the city. It is the official residence of Bangladesh's Ambassador to Belgium. He invited us for dinner. We were called to take foods after some homespun speeches (needless to say that we cannot accomplish any good work without speeches). I was wondering what the reason was behind inviting us for dinner while it is still afternoon. My question was answered as I looked at the clock.
It is 9 pm at night though there was sunlight in the sky. The Ambassador and his wife entertained us with a wide variety of delicious food items. Polau, korma, rice, lentil and other Bengali dishes were served on the table in a spectacular way. However, I was thinking we eat these items every now and then in Bangladesh.
I am grateful for their hospitality but I would prefer to have some dishes which are different or new. Actually Bangladeshi people who live abroad they miss Bengali foods. That's why they serve these dishes when guests from Bangladesh visit them in foreign countries.
By the way, I have been assigned with the great task of presenting the prospects of information technology (IT) business in Bangladesh to foreigners next morning. Though a bit nervous, I will make the best of my efforts.
The writer is President, Bangladesh Association of Software & Information Services (BASIS) and CEO, MetroNet
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