Belgium > Leuven by night

At exactly half past three, Rita and I set off for Belgian Leuven. Friday afternoons are always busy on the road, especially since we have to pass Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels. It doesn’t take long before we enter the first traffic jam on the A4. Patiently, we join the line of slowly moving cars. The weather is pleasantly sunny. Good weather is also forecast for the weekend. This is quite a change from the rainy days of recent weeks. After The Hague, Rotterdam, and Breda, we cross the border into Belgium. Around Antwerp, the traffic is manageable. The jam on the ring road around the city is only a few kilometers long. Near Brussels, it gets more congested. Here, the queue isn’t that long either, but the delay grows significantly. Eventually, at five minutes to seven, we drive into the Mincklers parking garage in the center of Leuven. From there, it’s still a ten-minute walk to the Ladeuze Hotel in the city center. We had informed them beforehand that we expected to arrive around seven o’clock. This plan worked out fairly well. After placing our luggage in the room, we walk into the city. Right around the corner is the impressive University Library. After the First World War, a new library was built with American support. During the war, the library on Naamsestraat burned down. The 300,000 historical books were lost. The new library was also damaged by fire during the Second World War. Again, books were lost. Fortunately, the characteristic building on Ambt Ladeuzeplein was restored.

Belgium - The imposing library of Leuven at Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein

The receptionist at our hotel indicated that many nice restaurants are located in Muntstraat and Tiensestraat. We pass several specific burger, pasta, or sushi restaurants. At one restaurant that looks nice, a queue stands at the entrance. People are waiting for a table to become free. We don’t feel like waiting here. We look further down the street. We enter Taverne Fonkse, a nice small restaurant. The menu ranges from lunch snacks to pancakes. We choose the special with pork cheeks, which is advertised on a board outside the door. A tasty choice. The owner comes to ask if we like it. He heard our Dutch accent. He turns out to be from Nepal and lived in Utrecht for years. After dinner, we walk through Leuven. Many old buildings are beautifully lit. We follow the signs to the town hall. The more than 230 statues on the façade of the historic building are splendidly illuminated. What a magnificent sight. Back at the hotel, we end the evening with a glass of wine.