Martathon 'Of Flesh and Blood'

Once a year Antwerp gets ready for the "Bollekensfeesten", a food-happening where local products are put into the limelight. Antwerp is famous for its De Koninck beer, their candy, Elexir D'Anvers, Filet d'Anvers and much much more.

This year they organized also a marathon session of "Van Vlees and Bloed", a popular TV mini series about life in a butcher's family. 7 hours of top quality acting, from 10 pm to 5 am. During the breaks we received local products and fresh coffee to keep as awake. I think we started the marathon with about 200 people, and maybe 70 managed to make it till the end.

Starbucks coming to Antwerp

I read the news today, oh boy, Starbucks will open only its second branch in Belgium. Just like for so many other chains, Belgium has been a void. Think about Burger King. Or Wendy's. Or Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Even for McDonalds Belgium used to be a big black spot on the World Map. Blacker than Red China. But now another chain is making its way (slowly) into Belgium: the Coffee chains. When you look abroad, the place is swarming with Nero's and other coffe chains. But not in Belgium. Yes, we have Panos. And that's it :) But you can hardly call that a coffee chain, more a sandwich bar that has also some coffee.

There are many rumours why it has taken Starbucks so long to get a place in Antwerp Central Station. One of the most believable rumours talks about lobby work by a big competitor.