Independency, music, shopping and beers

Independency
Don’t worry, this is not me crying out and claiming for any particular rights. [lucky for me, I’ve been raised in a free and open-mind environment and the only restrictions I might experience today are the ones I’m imposing to myself].
What I’m referring to is people claiming the right to exist as a nation.  
Past Saturday thousands of people marched in the streets of Edinburgh to demonstrate their support for the ‘Independence for Scotland’.  Since 1707 (Act of Union) Scotland has been under the English sovereignty but has been working on getting back its national identity ever since. Scotland is now entering the final stage to being a fully independent sovereign state.  I won’t make any judgment on this as I am a foreigner to this country and also as I consider myself having multiple identities.  The only advice I can give is to analyze the situation from an objective point of you and consider all aspects and consequences. Being independent is not just a matter of identity, culture and language. It also implies being effectively organized to deal with an independent economy (industries; banks; educational, social and health systems).  But I’m sure Scotland is aware of this and has listed all possible issues in order to be ready for the referendum that will take place in autumn 2014. 
The march was peaceful  and I could feel the national pride emanating from the participants.  It was then a shock for me when I saw the Flemish flag among the crowd!!!  

I couldn’t help it. I had to talk to these ‘protestors’.  I introduced myself in Dutch (with my strong Flemish Brabant’s accent) and I asked one of the guys what this was all about.  He started telling me how happy he was seeing a compatriot. He then explained how strong he believes in a separatist Belgium;  how important it is for Flanders to have its independency and to be separated from the other regions (especially Wallonia). He said that he was confident about Flanders and Wallonia to be separated – yet the remaining issue was Brussels!!!  
I told him that I respect him for standing up for his ideas.  But I didn’t understand why marching in Edinburgh and not in Brussels or somewhere else in Belgium!!!!  What effect could this possibly have apart from showing the world once more that such a small country lacks (good) governance.  Can’t we just be famous for our beers, chocolate, chips, and other great typical products ( things to really be proud of) instead of our endless politic issues!!!).  Anyway, I also told him that I am not I favour of a separatist Belgium.  I truly believe that Belgium’s identity and colours (check out the Belgian flag) is defined by its history, its mix of cultures and languages. And as far as independency is concerned, the three federal regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) already have separated parliament and government.  I am born as a French speaker (my dad is half Belgian half English and my mother has Italian and American blood but was brought up in Luxembourg -->I’m almost a pure European product ).  I spent most of my life in Flemish Brabant. I grew up in a multiple culture environment surrounded by music, creativity; where people spoke French, Dutch, English, Italian, Luxembourgish…  I do speak both French and Dutch and for me there’s no way of making a choice. I am Belgian.

Music
I followed the march to Princes Street and headed to the Mound where I met my flatmate to listen to TJ Muller and the Dixie Six.   It’s a recent composition (2011) of Edinburgh based musicians playing swinging New Orleans jazzy music.   They were joined by a swing dancing community; Edinburgh Lindy Exchange; who danced like crazy on the swinging tunes inspired by the 1920’s. It was really cool to hear and to watch.  I’m a real fan of the 1920’s.  For sure I enjoy the music (oh so entertaining) but I absolutely love the artistic movements of that period, especially Modern Art. I have a preference for Belgian artists in Art Deco and Surrealism.  I love the creations of architect Antoine Courtens (1899-1921) and I love René Magritte (surrealist painter, 1898 – 1967) who was a master in provoking thought by using out of place and out of proportion imagery. I’m also a great partisan of Art Nouveau (period before Art Deco) with great architects and designers as Victor Horta, Paul Hankar and Henry Van de Velde.

Shopping
After the march and the music, I went shopping with friends. It was not the regular girls-out for shopping. It was much more fun: choosing men’s clothes…
It was an enjoyable experience for the eyes:
It's really interesting to see men queuing for the fitting rooms.  So much more different that in women's stores: whereas women are packed with clothes (the maximum allowed pieces to try) men have 2 or 3 pieces maximum (t-shirt & jeans).
Not to mention the impressive wall with David Beckham’s range of underwear…

(Belgian) Beers
After all that (hypnotic wall) a few refreshments were needed!
Why not start the evening with some Belgian beers at the Brauhaus (already mentioned in other messages). Let's enjoy some Kwak, Boon Gueuze, Mort Subite, …

Cheers!