Fleabitten

This past weekend we went to a couple of flea/antique markets.  Belgium, perhaps like every other place, has a multitude of flea markets and antique markets.  Some are every weekend and some are only once or twice a year.  No matter, they are always worth a visit.

Our first stop was Liege to the La Brocante d'Amercoeur.  There was plenty to see, but nothing I couldn't live without - at least for now.

After Liege, we decided to try to find another market in Germany, but we arrived as they were packing up . . . so we visited the nice town of Aachen instead.  

The last time we visited Aachen was in pouring rain so it was a nice day to revisit it.

As you could guess, there is a really beautiful cathedral, appropriately named Aachen Cathedral.  It was completely under renovation on our last visit.  It was consecrated in 805 AD so renovation has probably been ongoing :)  

In addition to the remains of Charlemagne (also known as Charles the Great, King of the Franks) being buried here, the real claim to fame for this cathedral are some serious relics. 

This fancy gold box is called the Shrine of the Virgin Mary and, as you may know, inside are:

1) Mary's cloak

2) Christ's swaddling clothes

3) Christ's loin cloth

and

4) St. John the Baptist's beheading cloth

Since 1349, every 7 years, these relics are taken out and put on display.  Perhaps we can remember to go over there in June 2014 and see them for ourselves.

The ceiling of the entire cathedral is covered in these mosaics of tiny little tiles.

Fortunately it was a sunny day so the detail was more visible than on our rainy day visit.

Then on to Tongeren.  Tongeren is the oldest city in Belgium and about a 20 minute drive from Hasselt.  It is only 1 km from the part of Belgium where they speak French so you hear plenty of both Dutch and French, plus plenty of English! 

Every Sunday morning in the city of Tongeren, there is a huge antique market.  We've gone many times and always enjoy it.  It was even more enjoyable this time since it may be the first time I've been able to go to Tongeren without a coat!

This was a new addition to the Tongeren market - a booth completely dedicated to Bakelite.  I didn't buy anything this time - maybe next time.  Doesn't everybody need a Bakelite clock radio?