0. Names and labels are important because it helps people communicate information. While technically we can call things by different names, it is the informal agreement among communities that allows us to understand each other.

Having said this…

1a. Are Brusselsprouts really from Brussels?

Turns out yes!

Though here they only call it sprouts.

…

2. Mae told me there are two different kinds of waffles.

Belgian waffles are airy and crispy and are the ones that we all probably had before. Prior to cooking it is mostly of a batter-like consistency.

Then there are Liege waffles, they are more doughy but still retain the crispy exterior. Prior to cooking it forms a dough as if you would be baking bread.

I am not a fan of waffles, but with Liege waffles I am now one.

Liege however is also a city in Belgium so technically it is also a Belgian waffle.

So where did the airy waffle we all know come from?

Its also from Brussels.

Brussels seems to be hoarding everything. They already have the sprouts, plus they get their waffles get popularized as the Belgian waffle despite being inferior tasting.

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3. In Belgium the 2 main languages are French and Dutch.

What is curious though is they have also named, streets and train stops in both languages. Both are also displayed.

For instance the street we stayed at is:

Rue Saint Jean (French)
Sint Janstraat (Dutch)

As someone who doesnt speak either language it can sometimes be disorienting if you are in the right place or path.

3b. For instance imagine someone asking where is Greenbelt 3?

Then Google Maps tells you to go to Makati Ave. But the street labels go there tell you you are going to Itchy Abenida.

4. In a Chocolate Museum we learned there is a new type of chocolate.

We have the 3 basic kinds, white, dark, and milk. The newest addition is “ruby” discovered and invented just in 2015. The color is a bright pink and the taste is definitely different.

Perhaps 100 years from now there will as many chocolate names too as there are Pokemon-color games.

5a. Belgium as a famous destinatuon attracts travellers from all over the world. Establishments then will need to communicate clearly what they offer in order to attract their target customer.

However in some cases their intended message and actual message become opposites.

For instance:

Putting “The Best Belgium Chocolates” in front of your store probably means you arent.
(Especially that there are 10 other stores that say the exact same thing).

Same thing by saying Artisan Patisserie feels like the artistry even in the name is lost.

Then there is another restaurant named “Premium Quality Burger”…
Which tells you their burgers are likely neither premium nor quality.

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5b. There is one place that made me curious though. The shop name is: “168 Massage Chinois”
The 168 reminds me of Divisoria. Though Im guessing it it there for luck.
What is unclear however is the massage. Does Chinois mean it is a Chinese massage?

Or a Chinese Filipino, ‘chinoy’ will give it?

Or both?

…

6. I know these posts are sometimes read by our non Filipino friends and some have terms only understood by Filipinos. So to make it up so I will attempt to teach a Filipino slang word…

The word is Kachichas (ka-chi-chas).

Usage:

J3’s snow boots which he had been wearing for nearly 2 weeks straight got wet in the rain.

When they got home he setup a hair dryer to point to the insides of his boots. This was done in the dining area. He left it there and did other chores in another room.

When he returned, the dining room smelled of kachichas.