This section is devoted to interesting things we learn about our
host nation, Belgium. Most of these items are what the boys are
learning in their Host Nation classes at school. Sharing this
page was the boys' idea (and a pretty good one!)
Asa's host nation class tackled Belgian food early in the school year. One of his first assignments was to visit a
friterie
(literally a shoppe that makes frites, or french fries). Clay and
the kids visited Friterie Robinson, just outside SHAPE. Asa's
assignment required him to sample not only some frites, but different
frite sauces and one or more of the traditional side dishes that
Belgians eat along with the frites (yes, the frites are the centerpiece
and there are snacks on the side). They had frites, chicken on a
stick, drumsticks, deep fried very thin chicken strings, and a small
roast beef gyro-like sandwich. The dipping sauces were ketchup,
mayonaise, tartar-like sause, one that was theoretically BBQ sauce (but
not really), and horseradish like sauce. Everyone like the
frites; no one liked the side dishes; Crockett liked ketchup; Asa like
mayonaise; Clay liked tartar sauce and mayonaise. Lexie only
liked the frites...no sauce.
Stoemp
Asa brought home the following overview of this Belgian comfort food ...
"In Flemish, stoemp is a word that means "smashed". It is also a
famous side-course. In Brussels, people eat stoemp with grilled
sausage, grilled boudin, grilled bacon, pork chop, beefsteak or horse
steak. Stoemp consists of potatoes mixed and mashed with another
vegetable. The most popular stoemps are the stoemp carrot, the
stoemp endive, the steomp Brussels sprouts, and stoemp leek.
To make a good stoemp carrot, you cook, in salted boiling water, one
pound of peeled and cut potatoes and a half pound of slides
carrots. Once fully cooked (it takes 25-30 minutes), drain
carrots and potatoes, place them in a plate and cruch the vegetables
with a fork or a potato masher. Do not use an electric machine to
avoid having too fine and uniform constitution. Then melt 1.5 oz.
of butter on the cruched vegetable, add 5 spoons of cream and a dash of
ground netmeg. Add salt and pepper and mix the whole well with a
spoon. Instead of carrots, you can do the same with endives,
spinach, leeks, Brussels sprouts, or the vegetable of your choice...Bon
appetit!"
Massepain (or marzpan)
"Massepain" is the Belgian word for almond paste. It is also
called in English "marzipan". Massepain is a sweet made of ground
almonds and sugar baked. The Belgian massepain, different than
the German one, is often made on St. Nicolas and Christmas time and
sold in bakeries. The regular massepain has an ivory color and
often a long sausage shape in which the baker cuts a piece as long as
you order. Because it is very rich, a two inche long piece can be
enough. There is also massepain shaped into small figures of
animals, such as pigs, or fruits, or vegetables, as a traditional treat
for Saint Nicolas' day.
Holidays and other Traditions
Christmas
Season--Belgium is a predominantly Catholic nation, and as such, has
strong religous ties with the Christmas season. In fact, there
are two events to celebrate, rather than only Christmas Day. The
Belgians, as well as many other European nations, celebrate Saint
Nicolas' Day. This day falls on 6 December and is predominantly
for children. On Saint Nicolas' Eve, children leave shoes or
boots by their bedroom doors and hope they have been good enough
through the year to receive a special treat by the morning.
Children also may leave hay and carrots for his horses. Like the
American Santa Claus tradition, Saint Nicolas also has a helper,
although not an elf. His helper is Black Peter, his best friend,
assistant, and secretary. Although Black Peter's origins
are not so benevolent, his now a central figure in the celebration and
just as eagerly anticipated as Saint Nicolas himself. Saint
Nicolas looks a little different tha Santa Claus as well. He
wears white and red, but instead of a suit, it is more akin to bishop's
robes. He also wears a pater (bishop's pointed hat) and carries a
staff.
Geography and History
Today Asa learned about the Royal Palace and King Albert II.
Based on Asa's reports, "the Royal Palace was bulit by a Norwegian
king, but was used by all Belgian monarchs since King Leopold I until
one of the queens died and now it is only the King's office. Now
the royal family lives in a small hamlet whose name has a K."
Asa also learned that King Albert II likes motorcycles and drives his Harley-Davidson around in Brussels.
Finally they learned that "kings can do whatever they want, but presidents aren't as popwerful"...
Asa's host nation class has been
doing history a lot lately, "about Napoleon and mostly World War II and
I." Some highlights:
--Belgium was the nation where Napoleon was defeated...
--From every houeshold, there had to be one person to go into
Napoleon's army [a very early introduction to the concept of "levee en
masse"]
--WWII was actually started because Germany attacked the French for
making them pay for all of the damages from WWI, like to the structures
and stuff from cannons and other things.
They also are watching a funny movie told about 2 French guys helping 2
British guys trying to get back to England. So far the guys were
riding motorcycles and throwing pumpkins at the guys chasing them.
Other cool stuff
Crockett has been coloring pictures of a
festival in near-by Mons. He forgot the name of tje festival but
it celebrates good luck...you have to pull hairs off the tail or a
dragon for good luck and if you push a golden bus up a hill you get
good luck.
