Antwerpen - The Diamond Capital of the World

This past Saturday, we spent the day in Antwerpen.  Our first stop, after persuading Mike, was the Diamond District.  This area had store after store of diamonds of all colors, sizes, and shapes! It turns out that my skills of persuasion have room for improvement, as I left there with the exact same amount of diamonds that I came with.  I was, however, able to get him to agree to go to the Diamond Museum.  I learned, much to my dismay, that diamonds are not forever... but sapphires and pencil graphite are.  Over 80% of all jewelry grade diamonds make their way through Antwerpen. 

After the Diamond District, we went to the Grote Markt.  A bizarre fountain in the middle of the square was surrounded by beautiful ornate buildings.  In this area, too, is the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekatherall (Cathedral of our Lady).  This Cathedral took two centuries to build and it is the tallest Cathedral in Belgium!

                

We also saw a 500 year old building, that was built to serve as slaughter house.  The bricks of the building were also made to look like slabs of lean and fatty meat.

Belgium is known for a few items of food, one which are Mussels.  Mike has been indulging on occasion on this Belgian seasonal favorite.  Unfortunately, the season is coming to a close, the mussels are getting smaller, and we'll have to wait until next year for more! 

Back on the home front, we are settling into our home nicely.  We just acquired our dining room table cast from the finest ethylene.  For those of us who aren't Mike and didn't get our degree in Material Science, that means plastic!