A Belgian Memphis day in May 2011

[Bram Turismo]

It's not the politicians being corrupt though kikkie

In my opinion it's all down due to too many politicians; There are so many politicians that they never can agree on something. They should look a bit at Norway here; You, you and you in here, the rest GTFO.

Another thing: They want to bring the 2018 FIFA WC to Belgium, but all it does it make people pay all the costs through taxes. FIFA have some nerves to act like this, and they've done exactly the same with South-Africa.

Well played on the "Mij gedacht!"

 

[GT_Prologue5]

It's not the politicians being corrupt though kikkie

In my opinion it's all down due to too many politicians; There are so many politicians that they never can agree on something. They should look a bit at Norway here; You, you and you in here, the rest GTFO.

They should do that for America, too.

 

[Grand Prix]

That makes up for any political issues, I would think.

 

[kikie]

That better not happen in a million years.

It won't happen like you think it will happen, if that makes any sense. I meant to say is, when Belgium is split into two parts and Flanders becomes independant, the nothern Flemish part of Belgium looses Spa because it's located in the south, the Ardennes.

It's not the politicians being corrupt though kikkie

In my opinion it's all down due to too many politicians; There are so many politicians that they never can agree on something. They should look a bit at Norway here; You, you and you in here, the rest GTFO.

*snip*

Well played on the "Mij gedacht!"

There is and always be corruptions. Power, money and wealth creates corruption. Too many politicians is one thing but 2 governments in one small country is another thing.
I see that you get the "Mij gedacht" part! 👍

That makes up for any political issues, I would think.

Sadly it doesn't. Spa was a political issue. The Wallonian government didn't have the money to pay Ecclestone and to update the track, so the Wallonian government demanded that the Flemish government payed for it, as usual. The Wallonias get billions every year from the Flemish government and still they don't have enough. I consider the Walloon provinces as foreigners.


I wonder what Belgium is going to be called if it should split up.

 

[Ibonibo]

Yeah it was even feared that it would need to close that would be sad.

You still get Zolder. Not as nice but at least you got all the great cars in the north

 

[DustDriver]

No they don't get Zolder. Limburg independent

Flanders is those 2 provinces near the sea. I consider myself Belgian first, then Limburger.

 

[kikie]

Yeah it was even feared that it would need to close that would be sad.

You still get Zolder. Not as nice but at least you got all the great cars in the north

If Belgium should split up and the Southern part becomes a part of France, Spa will probably stay open.

No they don't get Zolder. Limburg independent

In that case, we'll steal Zolder and relocate it to the provence of Antwerp.

Limburg independent? Why? Is the rest of the Flanders not good enough?
We need you, you have a nice dialect.

 

[Vince_Fiero]

It seems this thread turned into a political debate on Belgium, try to stay out of that one.

Did you read the description of Belgium in the original article, I liked the statement of Westvleteren being the best beer since years, really need to get some!

For a more neutral view on corruption (Transparency international): The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) measures the perceived level of public-sector corruption in 180 countries and territories around the world. The CPI is a "survey of surveys", based on 13 different expert and business surveys.

Belgium is 21 most reliable of 180, so quite good (about the same as UK or US), look at Italy on 63, Greece on 71, ...
Indeed Norway (for Bram) and Luxembourg (for me) are better, but there is a lot of confidence for Belgium internationally.

The language issue could be solved with a real bilingual approach in schools, some lessons like Maths in French and some like History in Flemish, ....
The experience in Luxembourg with this is not super positive though, it seems people get confused in the end and the level of proficiency in all languages is estimated low.

 

[DustDriver]

Limburg independent? Why? Is the rest of the Flanders not good enough?

To most of Flanders Limburg isn't good enough. Public transport is a joke here.

We need you, you have a nice dialect.

Not 1 dialect, there are dozens of dialects in Limburg.
I live near the Dutch border, and their dialect is very similar to ours. Same goes for the Germans living close to the Dutch border just a couple of km further.
A shame I don't speak the dialect

 

[kikie]

Not 1 dialect, there are dozens of dialects in Limburg.
I live near the Dutch border, and their dialect is very similar to ours. Same goes for the Germans living close to the Dutch border just a couple of km further.
A shame I don't speak the dialect

Me too but you don't hear it. I have a more Antwerp-ish dialect. When I'm in Antwerp people think I'm from Limburg. When I'm in Limburg people think I'm form Antwerp (city, not provence). I live about 15 km from Limburg and 55 km from Antwerp.


I want to discuss Memphis and Belgium's day in Memphis but no Americans want to talk or contribute (mmm, some exceptions).

 

[Vince_Fiero]

I want to discuss Memphis and Belgium's day in Memphis but no Americans want to talk or contribute (mmm, some exceptions).

Agree, it seems we did not get any people from Memphis on here, but mostly Belgians or people that used to live in Belgium.

I wonder for example how many people will be attending this Belgian thing in Memphis, how many real Belgians (I mean "Jef met de klak" van brabantseomroepen.nl

, strange I found a Dutch guy as example), Belgian companies, etc will be there.

P.S.: People also call me Limburgs in most of Belgium since we use "Ich" and "Uch" and have cases with usage of "Der" or "Dei", but it is really Brabants, just a bit far in the East (Passed Leuven).

 

[DustDriver]

Me too but you don't hear it.

That's because Belgian Limburg and Dutch Limburg used to be combined before Belgium came along. We share a lot of the same 'traditions' aswell.

 

[kikie]

I hope they will play this song in May 2011.

A Belgian pop-rock group from the '60 - '70.

Freddy Nieuland, drums and singer of this song died in jan. 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Collection_(band)

Maybe they could add these songs as well.

Two man sound



Lou & the Hollywood Bananas





​

​

​

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

The US is doomed. There is nothing to celebrate. Belgium is 👎

So what Clarkson said is true...

 

[kikie]

I can't exactly remember what he said about Belgium but I do remember that he showed, on purpose ofcourse, some stupid things of Belgium.

Clarkson is a Belgian hater, and he didn't portrayed Belgium like it really is.

What I meant to say is that political and economical situation of Belgium is 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎. Besides the poluted air and water, the bad roads, it's not that bad.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I can't exactly remember what he said about Belgium but I do remember that he showed, on purpose ofcourse, some stupid things of Belgium.

Clarkson is a Belgian hater, and he didn't portrayed Belgium like it really is.

I was talking about the 2nd episode of the season that finished. He said that the Belgians have nothing to celebrate, so they show up and get to work. The Sierra Cosworth that he picked for challenge was made in Belgium.

 

[kikie]

I didn't see that one. See if I can find it.

How was the show called? Jeremy Clarckson meets the neighbours? Or something like that.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

It was Top Gear season 15 episode 2. But that was about all he said.

 

[Ibonibo]

And he said that belgium is not know for bulding sport cars (challenge related)

About the bad roads is soooo true.
My lowered (20mm) cars hated it and people hated me for driving with 10km/h and steering right and left to avoid craters

 

[column5]

Hi kikie,

I live in Memphis, and what you have read about is our "Memphis in May" festival. Each year in May a number of events are held, including our famous barbecue-cooking contest, a large concert, etc. In addition, each year we celebrate a different county with events designed to highlight that country's history and culture. In 2011 that country is Belgium! 👍

Let me know if you have any specific questions about Memphis or the festival.

Don
(column5)

 

[kikie]

And he said that belgium is not know for bulding sport cars (challenge related)

About the bad roads is soooo true.
My lowered (20mm) cars hated it and people hated me for driving with 10km/h and steering right and left to avoid craters

He isn't a good car journalist/car programme host if he doesn't know about the Gillet Vertigo and the Edran Enigma, Imperia.

http://www.edran.be/ENG/Enigma_Car.htm

http://www.gilletvertigo.com/

http://www.imperia-auto.be/

Hi kikie,

I live in Memphis, and what you have read about is our "Memphis in May" festival. Each year in May a number of events are held, including our famous barbecue-cooking contest, a large concert, etc. In addition, each year we celebrate a different county with events designed to highlight that country's history and culture. In 2011 that country is Belgium! 👍

Let me know if you have any specific questions about Memphis or the festival.

Don
(column5)

Thank you. Finally a Memphisian (is that a word?) participating in this thread. I don't have any questions at the moment. May 2011 is still a long time to wait.

Stay on GTP. I think I'm going to need people like you next year.

 

[kikie]

Reviving this thread because it's May 2011!

Hi kikie,

I live in Memphis, and what you have read about is our "Memphis in May" festival. Each year in May a number of events are held, including our famous barbecue-cooking contest, a large concert, etc. In addition, each year we celebrate a different county with events designed to highlight that country's history and culture. In 2011 that country is Belgium! 👍

Let me know if you have any specific questions about Memphis or the festival.

Don
(column5)

column5, any news about this " Belgian Memphis day"?

 

[Keef]

column5, any news about this " Belgian Memphis day"?

Good news or bad news? Because there is some bad news...

 

[kikie]

Good news or bad news? Because there is some bad news...

Which is?

 

[Dennisch]

Still no governement in Belgium

World record holders!

 

[poolhaas]

And it looks like it's going to take a long time before we actually have one.
It's a bit like trying to get a cat and a dog to partner up.

 

[kikie]

Good news or bad news? Because there is some bad news...

Do you mean the problems with the Mississippi?