Antwerp · Hotel

Sleeping Around

Next to pop-up stores, pop-up restaurants and pop-up windows, there is now a unique pop-up hotel called “Sleeping Around”. “These days, we are all in search of a lot more than just comfort and luxury,” says Ellen Wezenbeek, PR-manager of the Sleeping Around concept. “Authenticity, comfort, adventure, design and the unexpected, these are experiences we all seek. We are all carried away by the thought of a relaxing yet stimulating retreat whether it be in our vibrant cities or in the quiet countryside.”

The idea originated when the owner of the Sleeping Around hotel, Didier Opdebeeck, was renovating his house. Sleeping in a container, decorated as a living area, made Didier think about this new concept:  a compact yet luxurious hotel room, equipped with all the mod cons: a box-spring bed, rain shower, iPod docking station and air conditioning – all contained in a 20ft recycled sea container.

(c) sleeping around

(c) sien josephine

“We think green and employ only ecologically responsible materials. The containers themselves are produced in China, after which they are used for worldwide transport. As it is not always profitable to return the containers empty, they are often left behind in ports, including Antwerp’s. This unique concept offers the ideal mix of adventure and comfort at some of the most impressive locations in the city,” Ellen continues.

(c) sleeping around

(c) sien josephine

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Sleeping Around contains 4 hotel room containers, a breakfast/lounge container and a sauna container. The hotel rooms provide a superior and comfortable night’s stay.

The hotel containers are currently located at the Antwerp Waagnatie, close to the Scheldt river. Who knows where they ship of to next. Maybe Tel Aviv? “Presenting our concept in Tel Aviv would be amazing,” Ellen replies. “Bring on the proposals!”

(c) sleeping around

4517_web20121206_sleeping_around_2306 (c) sien josephineAbove: trying out the bed (much approved!)

(c) sleeping around DSC_7471

For more information about the current location and online booking visit www.sleepingaround.eu or visit their Facebook page

Antwerp · Architecture · History

Antwerp from both sides.

They say “the river Scheldt (Dutch: Schelde) owes its existence to God, and Antwerp owes its existence to the river Scheldt”. Thanks to this river Antwerp is the 2nd largest harbour in Europe and the 4th in the world. Both the Right (the historical city) as the Left Bank of the Scheldt are unique places to visit. There’s the vivid historical city center, with tons of shops, restaurants and tourist attractions on one side, and there is nature and 20th century nostalgia on the other side. With its Casino’s, the restaurants and even a small beach the Left Bank was indeed a popular place for entertainment.  There’s not much left of those glory days now, but you can still feel the swing of the 60ies and the 70ies when you go for some delicious moules-frites (mussels with fries) on the terrace at Sint Anneke beach, while enjoying the view on the historical city across the river. The Sint-Anna pedestrian tunnel, build in 1932-1933, is a true beauty (if a tunnel can ever be called beautiful) which is definitely worth a visit. Let me just tell you with some pictures I took today what I can’t express with words:

(c) sien josephineAbove: The statue of Pieter Paul Rubens, Antwerp’s most famous painter, keeping an eye on the Groenplaats (historical city)

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Above: view on the guild halls on the Grote Markt (16th Century) (c) sien josephine

Above: detail of the wrought iron gates which used to indicate the line between the docks and the public street (late 19th century) (c) sien josephine

Above: easy Antwerp transportation: these city bikes take you everywhere as long as you dock them in another station within 30 minutes.(c) sien josephine

Above and under: enjoying a nice stroll on the boardwalk along the Scheldt between Antwerp’s North and South side

(c) sien josephine

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Above: time for some nice Belgian fries, while enjoying the view on the Cathedral (under)(c) sien josephine

Under: view on the Left Bank from the boardwalk.(c) sien josephineUnder: the entrance of the Sint Anna pedestrian tunnel (build in 1933)   (c) sien josephine (c) sien josephine  Above &under: inside the pedestrian tunnel (the wooden escalators also date back to 1933)(c) sien josephine

Under: inside the pedestrian tunnel: 572 meters long and 31,57 meters underground.(c) sien josephine

Under: the Left Bank in the windows of the Sint Anna pedestrian tunnel exit

(c) sien josephine  (c) sien josephine

Above & under: view on historical Antwerp from the Left Bank(c) sien josephineUnder: Sint Anneke beach (by (c) Jens Mollenvanger)

(c) Jens Mollenvanger

All pictures are copyright protected 

(c) 2013 Sien Josephine

Antwerp · Music · Travel guide

Josephine’s Treasure Map to Antwerp (3)

Turn up the music, fill your cup and drink it down! Part 3 is all about Antwerp nightlife. Antwerp has a lot to offer when it comes to clubbing. Here are a few of my favorite dance floors:

PETROL – Deep down an abandoned road on the South part of Antwerp lies an old industrial warehouse which is rebuild to a club with an underground vibe. Its minimal and dark interior make it a perfect location for techno parties as well as rock concerts. When i dance i “just can’t get enough”, so Petrol offers two dance floors. Usually the club is used for concerts. I once saw an excellent YACHT concert here, somewhere in 2010 – shame we don’t hear anything from these guys anymore. (Petrol – d’Herbouvillekaai 25 – 2020 Antwerp)

MAGIC – One dream, one soul, one prize, one goal: it’s a kind of magic. Freddy Mercury himself would twist and turn on this magical dance floor. Entering this club, literally under ground, feels like being warped back to the decadence of the 70ies. Electro Pop music and Eighties Kitsch in the mix with modern dance tunes, the music in Magic is as divers as its crowd: from underground artist to fashion diva. The only thing that happens in this place is dancing. On my agenda: the Filles a Papa party this Thursday! Important note: you can only get in when you’re on the guest list. Check the website for more information. (Magic – Desguinlei 94- 2018 Antwerp)

Picasa TM3-001

Click the video to see a recap of some magnificent parties going on at Magic Antwerp:

SCHELD’APEN – On the same road as Club Petrol lies an even more abandoned house, also rebuild to a (smaller) club called Scheld’apen. This place has played an important role to a lot of experimental and underground artists. The primary goal of this club is to create a platform for Antwerp artists. From time to time however, you can party hard here. I’m personally looking forward to the Mykki Blanco concert this Wednesday! (Scheld’Apen – d’Herbouvillekaai 36 – 2020 Antwerp)

ULTIMATUM – Another personal favorite are the monthly parties held in bar Ultimatum. Located in the heart of the city Ultimatum is in fact a restaurant/bar, but once a month owner Olivier turns the place upside down (and round and round) to host some of the best parties in Antwerp (and the one’s with the biggest crowd on a Sunday night – don’t these people have work on Monday?!). With names as Thirsty Thurdays and Sunday Funday – let’s be honest – you get what you came for: great music, great drinks (damn those 6 EUR gin&tonics) and great vibes. Definitely on my calendar: another Thirsty Thursday on February 28th. (Ultimatum – Grote Markt 8 – 2000 Antwerp)

(c) Scheld Apen

(c) Ultimatum

After all this dancing our feet hurt and our legs are all tired. So why not indulge yourself for a moment and sleep in one of the comfortable beds of Hotel The Black. This hotel, located in a mansion on the Antwerp Leien, feels like an old Hollywood film, not only ’cause of the colors (black and white) but also because of the glamorous yet mysterious atmosphere. Kim Soeffers, interior architect and personal friend, decorated each room as if she would live in it herself. Every room is provided with a a classic bathtub in which I for one can soak for hours. Another glass of champagne to close the night and then I lay myself to rest in a heavenly set of pillows. Aah.. this is the good life indeed. (Hotel The Black – Amerikalei 113 – 2000 Antwerp)

(c) Sien Josephine

GIVE AWAY TIME:

Because you all have been so good and sweet to us it’s time we do something back.

We offer you a one night stay in the Hotel The Black (according to availability).

Want to dream away just like I did? This is what you have to do:

  1. Like the Marilyn & Josephine Facebook page
  2. Like the Hotel The Black Facebook page
  3. Send us an e-mail with your name and address

The lucky winner will be contacted by the end of March!

Well, this concludes the treasure map (for now). I hope you enjoy your stay in Antwerp as much as I enjoy living here!

xoxo

Josephine

Antwerp · Photography · Tel Aviv

Best of both worlds

One of my favorite things about morning errands in Tel Aviv is what one sees along the way. With my music* and my camera** I walk around town and I observe, think, compare and analyze. I often look in contrasts. Antwerp vs Tel Aviv. Europe vs the Middle East. But, what is the Middle East and what defines it? I could write a full post about Israel’s geography: which continent are we? Asia. Then why do we participate in the Eurovision? Oh here I’m deviating from my subject, let’s just call it Mediterranean for now and let’s go back to comparing the two cities I know best.

Israel has always been technologically advanced – they had cellphones here before we even knew about them, remember those dinosaurs – and was already a free-WiFi-friendly place. The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality Finance Committee has recently approved a 1,5 million $ budget for a city WiFi Network that will be spread in parks, city shores, main streets and commercial centers (on top of cafes, restaurants and bars and my favorite: the airport).

Another great thing is the 75% discount the city’s residents get on various well-located parking lots. The city also makes sure to keep the city green and often involves citizens in their opinion about the design for certain parks, sidewalks and fountains. And how about getting around town in the monit Sherut? And all those 24/7 restaurants, going from breakfast at Benedict till burgers at Moses at any given time of the day. And the delicious cappuccino (hafuch). And if you like dogs, it’s a dog friendly city too. Between gay beach and the orthodox beach there is a dog beach. Also, besides having the ugly usual graffiti, there are some incredibly talented anonymous artists doing street art.

So let’s teach and learn from each other. Tel Aviv should urgently start separating trash, fining honking vehicles, french shower the smelly street cats, improve the supermarkets, get decent bike lanes and what not. Bekitsur, (in short) best of both worlds (and one of Robert Palmer’s best songs)

*currently listening to an Israeli band called theAngelcy –photo remember their name, it will live forever **yes I have just replaced my broken iPod touch with a Canon EOS M, Generation M(arilyn). Yes it was named after me. Aren’t you wondering how I took this picture then ->

 IMG_0056IMG_0039IMG_0091IMG_0030IMG_0107  IMG_0041    IMG_0034  IMG_0026IMG_0068IMG_0073 IMG_0077IMG_0037  IMG_0080 IMG_0084

Antwerp · Travel guide

Josephine’s Treasure Map to Antwerp (1)

When you travel and you don’t really have a clue what to expect or where to go (or you only have a copy of just another typical travel guide), you can easily get stuck in tourist traps and mainstream shops. But all we really want is to get to know and experience a city like a local. That’s why i thought it was a good idea to share my Treasure Map: some of the shops and bars/restaurants in Antwerp i like to spend time at. Since there are a lot of these places and so little space to write about them in one article, I’ve decided to go all Peter Jackson on my script and turn it into a Travel Trilogy. This is the first part.

A SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN ANTWERPNo one ever started a successful treasure hunt on an empty stomach!” (I’m pretty sure some pirate somewhere must have said this a long time ago), so let’s start with brunch. I must admit I like to eat a lot of junk and take-away, but my Saturday/Sunday-brunch has to be healthy. That’s why I prefer going to De Biologisch-Dynamische Bakkerij (1). The menu offers organic and vegetarian (sorry meat-freaks) salads, burgers, granola, walnut cake, speculoos, homemade lasagna and everyday another fresh homemade soup. These are but a few things the Biologische Bakkerij has to offer. Want more? Take home one the many sorts of bread (made of sunflower seeds, Tibetan barley, whole-wheat bread, …) or one of the many varieties of artisan cakes.

(c) Sien Josephine(1) De Biologisch Dynamische Bakkerij – Volkstraat 17 – 2000 Antwerp

Onward to the shopping streets, even though winter sales are still on display. When I was in University i used to work in a store for years; I must have created an aversion for anything that has to do with the word “Sale”. Still, there are some boutiques in Antwerp that don’t attract sales-crazy people and in which I can look around and try on things without putting my life in danger. At Fresh15 (2) for example, you can find the beautiful brands of Sessun, IRO, Humanoid and on some Saturdays you can also find the beautiful Merrymaker Ruth van Soom in this store. (By the way Fresh15 has another store Fresh34 which you can find across the street from De Biologisch Dynamische Bakkerij.) Another store I like a lot is Step by Step (3). The window filled with barbie-dolls is a real attention grabber, even more so is the range of brands they sell here: Isabel Marant, Alexander Wang, Band of Outsiders, Current Eliott, Joseph and (yes thank you Lord) my personal favorite: GGDB sneakers (Golden Goose Deluxe Brand). If you’re looking for something more different, exclusive and most of all graphic, you really should consider visiting concept store The Public Image (4 & 5). Get Glam Rock and Roll on a Skateboard (I can’t find a better way to describe the collection): Your Eyes Lie, Kid Vanilla, MinkPink, Staff By Maff, Actual Pain, Andrea Crews, Pantheone, Blood is the New Black, Jeffrey Campbell shoes and jewelry by Melody Ehsani (to name a few), TPI introduces brands as if it was presenting breakfast. Yes, TPI owner Nele Moens is on a (rock ‘n) roll (or as they say in Antwerp: ‘goe bezig’).

Fresh15

(2) Fresh15 – Lombardenvest 15 – 2000 Antwerp

StepbyStep(3) Step by Step – Lombardenvest 18 – 2000 Antwerp

TPI2(4 & 5) The Public Image – Wijngaardstraat 16 – 2000 Antwerp

TPI1

Legs all tired from shopping? Need some caffeine? Wanna listen to some records while enjoying your coffee? Go to Coffee & Vinyl (6). What’s in a name? Owner Lars Cosemans, never shy for a joke, moved his old record-store (called Vinyl) and added a little coffee bar, so people could sit down, relax and listen to their favorite records. It doesn’t stop there though: the bar is also a gallery. Now on display is art by Frederik Schnieders. Free WiFi, great coffee, cool art and good music. What else?

(c) Sien Josephine(6) Coffee & Vinyl – Volkstraat 45 – 2000 Antwerp

For something decorative or something to read i recommend two places! (Studio) Helder (7) offers the most original and practical design. The shop oozes creativity. That’s probably because the team behind this store (an accessories designer and an interior architect who both worked with renowned fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester) use their talent as a platform for presenting their own creations. You can buy a Crying Candle here, which cries tears as the wax burns, or Y-shaped tabletops as a multi-employable base for a coffee table, cabinet legs or even a book shelf. There’s so much to explore in this shop, it’s like a little adventure. If you want to feed your intellectuality some more go to ‘t Stad Leest (8). It’s a huge bookstore which offers you a look inside the favorite books from the owners themselves! Nice personal touch. And open on a Sunday.

helder(7) Studio Helder – Vrijdagmarkt 13 – 2000 Antwerptstad leest(8) t Stad Leest – Steenhouwersvest 16 – 2000 Antwerp

Upcoming things to do in Antwerp:

  • January 22nd – January 27th: FOMU BOOKSALE – the Antwerp Museum of Photography is selling it’s stock for ridiculous prices (Waalsekaai 47 – 2000 Antwerp).
  • January 24th: N8N PRESENTS THE RUS NERWICH QUARTET at (the bar/restaurant with the most beautiful name) Josephine’s – this is one live show you don’t want to miss. They’ll bring their new live show ‘The Wondering Who’, followed with an aftershow DJ set by N8N remixed. Reserve your tables now or just join in for good music and drinks (Gentplaats 1 – 2000 Antwerp).
  • January 26th: DOUBLE TROUBLE X GUS & SENSE X MAGIC at Magic Club – dance the night away on the best dance-classics, brought to you by Gus & Sense (Desguinlei 94 – 2018 Antwerp).

Special thanks to

Ruth Van Soom (just for being you), Brecht Baert (for coffee in golden cups), Nele Moens (also for coffee but most of all for being an inspiration), Lars Cosemans (great apple-pie) and Bart Deweer (for holding his pose while choking on a cookie).

Next episode:

about Food & Drinks. A BYOB-free invitation to Antwerp’s bars and restaurants.

All pictures are under copyright protection

(c) Sien Josephine 2013

Antwerp · Architecture · Art · History

Architectural Antwerp, pt. 2: the boundary between city and port

Compared to it’s European neighbors, Belgium is a small country geographically. Historically however, Belgium is the center of the European Union. The same with Antwerp. Being an important harbor for centuries, Antwerp has always had an important place on the economical map. Antwerp is part of the world, and the world is part of Antwerp. A lot of international exchanges have taken place, and are still taking place (for example diamonds). Because of that, Antwerp represents a huge international diversity and connectivity. This is why so many people are drawn to this little city in this little country. Antwerp gives you both the feeling of comfort and being close to one and another. On the other hand it gives you an overwhelming feeling of non-stop movement, cultural diversity and international importance.

To capture this aspect and to make it more “touchable”, a museum called the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom, or Museum by the River) opened its doors in 2011. The MAS is a landmark on the boundary between the city and the port, and it does so by telling the story of people with diverse perspectives on the world who came from a multitude of backgrounds. The MAS tells the story about the past, present and future of Antwerp. Because diversity is not a static feature, but always in motion, a special building was needed. It’s a difficult mission to bring a building – which is itself static – to a new level. The design was inspired by a sixteenth-century storehouse. The galleries are stacked up like ‘boxes’ creating a spiral tower with large expanses of glass. As you go up on the escalators from the ground floor to +9, you have a constantly changing view of Antwerp. In my opinion, the special window panes resemble the flow of a river. But not only the building is an eye-catching element! The square in front of the MAS is a work of art by Antwerp’s most famous living artist: a 1,600-m² mosaic entitled ‘Dead Skull’ by Luc Tuymans, his first public work to be permanently on display. The MAS is an architectural beauty (even though the local opinion about the architecture is divided). I had my doubts about it too, but seeing it all come together: the light of sunset on the red stones, the calmth of the river and the rush of the harbor, it somehow seems to work out.

Read the article about the MAS in the New York Times here

All pictures are copyrighted Sien Josephine (c)

Antwerp · Restaurants

Leave nothing on the grass… but footprints

FINALLY! After a long period of waiting the sun has arrived and temperatures have risen with it. It’s the perfect occasion to go outside with friends, watch the sun set, look at the stars, fall in love…. yes, i’m a true fan of summer. In Antwerp there are lots of places where you can enjoy the sunny weather (it’s too hot to sleep anyway), but there is only one place where you can do all of the above mentioned activities together at once. Yes, even falling in love.

Every year, the city of Antwerp organizes a sort of “festival” which takes place all summer long. It is called “de Zomer van Antwerpen” (Summer in Antwerp). Next to theater shows in open air, a circus, live music in streets that are otherwise quiet, and so many other festivities, they also organize “de Zomerbar”. The first time I discovered this huge hide-away just out of the city center, was 2 years ago.

Walking on the long torch-lit path, feels like walking into a fairytale (please don’t insult it by comparing it to walking towards “the island council” of Temptation Island, thank you very much): there’s a forest with tables and chairs made out of tree trunks. There’s a beach with matching beach chairs and umbrellas. There are lights and hammocks hanging quietly in between the trees. Big plus for book-fanatics like myself: during the day you have access to an open air (!!) library. You can rent a book and just lay yourself down on the grass, or in a hammock, covered by the shade of a tree.

There’s a restaurant with delicious food, a wine bar, a bar with excellent mojito’s… It’s a little piece of heaven (in summertime) on earth. Oh and when you bring back your empty glasses yourself, you get some money back. Smart way to keep the grass clean!

Pictures by Sigrid Spinnox (c) & Stad Antwerpen

Zomerbar,Ledeganckkaai
2000 Antwerpen

from 07-07-2012 untill 19-08-2012
during the week: 16u-24u / in weekends: 14u-24u

Antwerp · Food · Lifestyle

What’s on the grocery list?

Becoming a desperate housewife – Stage 1: wake up at 6.30 am on a Saturday to go to the food market with my gluten-free and food market-expert friend Emma. Thankfully, the sun woke up as early as we did and greeted us while having coffee and discussing our market game plan.

The objective: fresh fruit and vegetables (I recently bought a blender, yes, all my friends know cause i can’t stop talking about it – what a useful kitchen tool – and i wanted to buy everything you can possibly blend into a juice or a smoothie), sunflower and pumpkin seeds, olives, etc. Eventually we e spent hours walking around. I get so excited when I see food, I go crazy!

Some pictures:

Exotic Food Market – Antwerp

Oudevaartplaats, Theaterplein and surroundings

Every Saturday from 8am till 4pm (except official holidays)

Antwerp · Entertainment · Music

The Throne dominates Antwerp.

“That sh*t cray” is all i can say after last night’s performance of Watch the Throne by the legendary Jay-Z and Kanye West (that, and “get your diamonds up”). Without doubt the craziest and best concert ever! I must say i like Jay-Z more than Kanye, but they both owned up to their music, leaving Antwerp (and especially me) behind with a big smile on our face. Next stop: Paris??

Did you also see the concert? What did you think?

Antwerp · General · Lifestyle

Summer’s in town.

After months of cashmere pullovers, wool scarves (handmade by Marilyn herself of course), thick duffle coats and what else to keep us warm, we can finally shed our winter-skin and bring out the T-shirts. Summer arrived in A-town! Here are some pictures of the first sunny day in Antwerp:

The lovely Alain Deloin

I’ll be visiting the Belgian coast this weekend for sure! You can expect a full picture report 😉

Antwerp · Entertainment · Fashion · Shopping

COMMA, the first Belgian edition.

Last thursday I was invited to go and take pictures at the new Comma store opening in Antwerp. Comma is a German brand that decided to open their first Belgian store on the Meir in Antwerp. Spoiled with finger food and luscious cocktails, free make up corner (mmmm so nice after a long day of work, thanks Sabine!) and live music, Comma presents to you: the first Belgian edition.

P.S.: These pictures also got published on the website of a Belgian newspaper (yaay!). Read the article here.

COMMA, Meir 32-36, 2000 Antwerp.