Summer in Europe #2: Paris, je t'aime (pas)?

This is another story of mine in Europe...

Paris..a city that most people adore at, as an elegant, historical, and romantic one. Who doesn't want to go to Paris? It has the most renowned La tour d'Eiffel, the notoriously historical Cathedrale Notre Dame, the precious and prestigious Musee du Louvre, Flamme de la Liberte, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, etc. Each attraction has its own history, even since hundreds years ago. 

Here, I don't want to talk about history. I am recalling my two-years-ago memories in Paris. 

My friends and I visited Paris, as one-day trip from Brussel. It was only a group of five girls. We made different destination from the other twenty people who visited Amsterdam and Ghent in Belgium. Just like other ordinary people, we were so curious, how romantic and beautiful Paris is. So, we bought return ticket of TGV from Bruxelles-Midi to Paris Nord at 7.30 a.m and will be back again in 10.15 p.m. We've arranged the trip, which places we would like to visit. It was 23 June 2012. We took breakfast very early in the morning, at around 6 a.m. Then walked to the railway station, which was just across the road of our hotel. We were so excited so that when there was an hour delay of departure, we still thought it's okay. We lost an hour trip, yet.

We arrived safe and sound, and fast at Gare du Nord a Paris at 10 a.m. At that time, all of us didn't have any experience yet in Paris, so we've asked for a friend of mine to pick us up there. Due to the limit of time, we needed a guide so that we wouldn't waste our time, lost in Paris. It will be another story, though. Yeah, we made it. A friend of mine, has waited there and took us to Saint Michael Fountain. It was a fountain we passed on the way to the notorious Notre Dame Cathedrale. We just took couple of picture then went to Notre Dame immediately. On the way there, my friend said that he suddenly gotta go as his relative came by or his friend had a farewell party. He didn't really explain it. Well, I was shocked, it meant that we had to walk around Paris ourselves, but it's okay. We got a very clear map and high curiosity on Paris. But my friend, Ayya said that she also had a friend studying there. So she called him, to guide us.

We finally arrived at Notre Dame. It was a huge and old church, which was flooded by loads of people. I didn't know why but there was a very long queue there. I believe that it was designed sophisticatedly inside so that many people came by to pray or just looked around its interior. I had had enough visit on church in Brussels so I didn't want to queue. A friend of mine really wanted to go inside to pray. There were two persons went inside, the others were waiting outside. And yes, my friend who picked us up at the railway station left. Ayya tried to contact her friend to help us using her Belgium number. FYI, there were certain provider usable in some different countries even though some don't provide so. Thankfully, her friend agreed to help and would like to meet us at Pantheon, near the Sorbonne university. It was -used to be a church- a mausoleum, a burial site of many world-wide well-known people like Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Jean Monnet, Marie Curie, and many more.

Us, in front of the Saint Michael Fountain.

The good side was we didn't put Sorbonne as the place to visit, but we should go there to meet Ayya's friend, the tour guide. However, we didn't know the location. He said that, it was close to Notre-Dame. We walked around, asked a lady walking her baby, luckily passed the on-renovation-Sorbonne University, asked an old guy we met while waiting for a queue at a public toilet, and finally reached Pantheon. Ayya said that she ran out her account to call her friend. And none of us had any usable number to call him as well. Alors, we decided to asked a young lady in red. Actually none of us mastering French so we talked in English. But, turned out that the lady didn't understand English. We thought that it was close to a university so that English will be a common thing. Then we made gestures, Tarzan's language :P, tried to explain that we wanted to ask her to send sms to Ayya's friend. Thank God that she kindly helped us. Even twice, for Ayya's friend replied us through the lady's phone again. We finally met him, Jiro the hero!

Our feet on 0 km of Paris. There was a myth, tourists who stepped on that will go to Paris again. Aamiin.. ;)

There we started our real journey. After taking some pictures in front of Pantheon, our destination was Musee du Louvre. Jiro brought us there by Metro, and we also passed by the Musee d'Orsay. We didn't enter Musee d'Orsay nor Lourve for time limit. The Lourve was so huge and beautiful. The queue was long but not so long as in Notre-Dame. There was discount for students' ticket by showing their student's card. Jiro said that if you wanted to look thoroughly at every precious architecture and furniture in the whole Lourve, you'll need 3 days all. We just took some pictures and bought macaroons. I didn't like it as the fragrance was too strong. If you watched film the Da Vinci Code, some scenes were taken there. :)

Then we continued the journey to Eiffel. Unluckily we didn't go there at night, so we can't see the beauty of lights view. Here's the big point I'd like to say. Paris, was not as romantic and elegant as I thought. Underground, on Metro was so stinky and smelly. The people, i think they were immigrants, spitting everywhere and didn't have manner. I think, somehow, I understand why they were unacceptable in the society. A friend of mine was almost being stolen by a pick-pocket. Luckily, she realized immediately that someone in the back was trying to open her bag. And the pick-pocket was a teenager. Still very young. Jiro always reminded us to take care of our belongings. He said that there were lots of them, usually work in two or more people in group. He also said that, yes, Paris is not as good as people thought, no more. It's getting more and more crowded and lots of traffics. Paris, the capital city of French, indeed, is the most populous city in the country. 

Remembering that we run out of time, we went immediately to the next destination, Arc de Triomphe. Going there, we passed by a New York in France, Flamme de la Liberté (it was on the tunnel where Lady Di got accident), and Avenue des Champs Élysées. We passed by a magasin of Louis Vuitton and there was a long queue to enter. To my observation, most of them were Asian. Well, now we know who the real rich are. Hoho.. That avenue was famous of many stores with various brands, most are so expensive. And there was a tradition, that usually they would provide big discount, up tp 70%, at the same time every end of season. Yes, that's one of the proof that Paris is a center of fashion and mode. They got to change and make new trend each season, and "throw away" the past one. Yeay, we arrived at Arc de Triomphe. Not so many to look around, as it was a monument of struggle for French army, requested by Napoleon.

It was at 3.30 p.m. Without being lost, we happened to visit many attractions so fast. Then we took another Metro to visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It was located near the Moulin Rouge. If you never heard of it, you could search for a famous drama or film entitled. Then, we decided to take a break for having lunch in a fast food restaurant. Jiro said that in Paris, you couldn't easily find halal food. But the Quick fastfood is guaranteed as a halal food. Well, bon appetite et Bismillahirahmani rahim.. :)

We ate, chit-chatting and talked, turned out that Jiro was a neighbour of my fellow friend at UI. Haha..how small!! He was also a close friend of Dhay, another fellow on a leadership training programme (FIM) I joined in Indonesia. After realizing that facts, I just felt that it was a real blessing from HIM. He will be always coming along with us, no matter what, where, when, and how.

Time flies and we continued the journey to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, walking. Walking around in other countries was way better and more enjoy than in Indonesia. Hmm.. I wonder why they couldn't be as discipline as in here (ngaca oi!!). Wew.. Arrived at another sacred church. I just realised that most of our destinations were church. Okay, this was Europe, its most historical places were relate to Christianity. Don't be so surprised. And the tragedy happened again. The Maghrebs were making chaos again. They were shouting each others, screaming, the others were insisting the tourist to buy some souvenirs. Well, the last part was not so fine, but remarkable. This place was a dull! However, most people said that Sacré-Cœur Basilica was a beautiful place. We didn't have enough time to go inside. Feeling insecure and running out of time, after taking some photos, we went directly to the railway station. It was around 8 p.m. But we still got sunshine. Yes, on summer, the sun set at around 10 p.m.

Going back to the Paris Nord, we accidentally met a very gentleman other than Jiro the Hero! He was a Marocoan. It would take another page to tell story about him. Luckily we arrived at the station at around 10 p.m. We went back to Bruxelles Midi right on time at 10.15. Well, I might be wrong about the Maghrebs. After all, it was so remarkable in life. And I believe that there is no coincidence. However, this one day trip, led me to rethink: Paris, je t'aime (pas)?

An automatic toilette. After using it, the person should just left then the door closed.
Then the next person should wait until it finish cleaning and flushing automatically. And it's FREE! :DD

New York in France?? It has another history... :P

Even though it was many years ago, there were still many who put a bouquet of flower
or even just visit this tunnel to commemorate Lady Di's death.

Myta
-All pics are private collections.-
Thanks to Ayya, Lien, Corina, Thao and Jiro for this remarkable trip. I miss you all.

Jakarta, 290114

Perkembangan Islam Modern di Prancis

Permulaan Islam mulai masuk di Prancis pada akhir abad ke-19. Sedangkan Islam mulai diakui sebagai sebuah agama oleh masyarakat Prancis pada tahun 1905. Beberapa umat Islam dan masyarakat Prancis memiliki pandangan yang sama tentang perilaku anti-Semitism.

Jumlah Muslim di Perancis lebih kurang mencapai 4-6 juta jiwa, yaitu setara dengan 5-10%[1] dari total populasinya. Jumlah ini merupakan prediksi karena Muslim di Perancis semakin bertambah, seiring dengan banyaknya imigran dari negara-negara penuh konflik di sekitar Eropa dan Timur Tengah. Jumlah Muslim di Perancis merupakan jumlah terbanyak di Eropa, disusul Jerman, Inggris, Italia, Spanyol dan Belanda[2]. Seiring dengan bertambahnya jumlah Muslim, kini jumlah masjid dan mushola di Perancis diperkirakan mencapai sekitar 1600 buah. Tentu saja masjid dan mushola tersebut tidak semuanya berbentuk bangunan megah, namun ada yang hanya berupa gedung bekas bangunan yang sudah tidak digunakan. Akan tetapi, pada tahun 1922, telah didirikan masjid Raya Yusuf di Paris.

·         Islam Pratiquant

Perkembangan Islam di Perancis lebih banyak di dominasi oleh para imigran yang datang dari negara-negara bekas jajahannya, seperti Aljazair, Libya, Maroko, Tunisia dll. Prancis yang mayoritas penduduknya beragama Katolik, merasa sedikit khawatir dengan perkembangan Islam yang begitu pesat sejak beberapa dekade terakhir. Hampir sebagian besar penduduk muslim di Perancis merupakan Islam pratiquant, orang-orang yang rajin beribadah sesuai dengan ajaran. Sedangkan, para umat Kristiani, baik Katolik maupun Protestan, bukan merupakan para pratiquant, hanya sedikiit dari pemeluknya, karena muncul pandangan bahwa hal tersebut bersifat kuno. Hal itu dibuktikan dengan banyaknya gereja yang ditutup, bahkan dijadikan masjid karena kehilangan jamaahnya.

Ada pendapat bahwa kegiatan beribadah itu dianggap tidak bisa berasilimilasi dengan lingkungan sekitar. Jadwal sholat umat muslim dianggap mengganggu terutama dalam pendidikan atau bekerja. Banyaknya jumlah jamaah yang sholat di masjid, bahkan sampai ke jalanan, dianggap sebagai pengganggu pengguna jalan dan tidak toleransi. Padahal seharusnya, negara yang menjunjung tinggi demokrasi itulah yang bertoleransi terhadap pemeluk agama lain yang sedang beribadah.

Pergeseran dalam aplikasi nilai-nilai Islam di Perancis juga ditunjukkan dalam penyebaran ajarannya. Sebagian penduduk yang beragama non-Islam berpendapat bahwa ajaran Islam terlalu mengekang dan seharusnya ajaran-ajaran itu disesuaikan dengan budaya dan gaya hidup di Perancis[3]. Terdapat dua kutub muslim di Perancis, para imigran muslim dan generasi kedua. Penyebaran Islam diantara para imigran dianggap sebagai usaha pembentukan diaspora muslim karena ajarannya yang terlalu berambisi mengikuti ajaran di Arab dan sekitarnya. Sedangkan generasi kedua merupakan umat muslim yang diajarkan agama Islam sejak lahir. Namun, karena adanya tarik-menarik ajaran Islam mereka perlu untuk mencari sendiri jati dirinya dalam ajaran Islam. Selain itu, dalam penyebaran ajarannya, muslim di Prancis juga bermasalah dengan bahasa. Tentu saja kemampuan mereka untuk menguasai bahasa Prancis dan Arab tidak sama. Hal itu mendorong para ulama di sana untuk menyebarkan ajarannya dalam 2 bahasa. Bahkan dalam pembacaan doa pun dilakukan dengan dua bahasa[4].

Pada tahun 1985, didirikan Federasi Muslim Perancis, yang telah mempersatukan 540 organisasi Islam, menjembatani umat muslim dengan pemerintah, dan memberi pengetahuan dan pendidikan Islam kepada warga yang ingin belajar. Pada awal pembentukannya, Nicholas Sarkozy yang saat itu menjadi menteri dalam negeri menyatakan dukungannya. Namun organisasi tersebut dianggap tidak mampu mewakili suara umatnya. Saat ini muslim di Perancis juga memiliki Union des Organisations Islamiques de France (UOIF) yang dinilai lebih mampu menyuarakan aspirasi umat. Organisasi tersebut sering melakukan diskusi tentang masalah-masalah Islam dengan mendatangkan beberapa ulama besar.

·         Sekolah-sekolah Islam di Prancis

Di tahun 2004, pemerintah Perancis menetapkan larangan untuk memakai jilbab kepada para siswi muslimah. Tentu saja kebijakan itu mendapat banyak respon negatif bukan hanya dari umat muslim, namun juga masyarakat internasional serta para aktivis HAM di dunia. Semenjak revolusi tahun 1989, Perancis dikenal dengan sistem laicite, yang membebaskan aturan agama dari campur tangan pemerintah atau gereja. Selain itu, Prancis juga merupakan negara sekuler yang membedakan urusan pemerintahan dari agama. Karena itu, aturan larangan pemakaian jilbab atau atribut yang merepresentasikan agama ditentang oleh berbagai kalangan masyarakat.

Sebagai imbasnya, masyarakat muslim Perancis ingin mendirikan sekolah swasta dengan aturannya sendiri. Sampai kini sedikitnya ada empat sekolah muslim swasta, yaitu di daerah Vitrerie, pinggiran selatan Perancis, Education et Savoir di Paris, Reussite di Aubervilliers, utara Paris,  Ibn Rushd di Lille, dan Al-Kindi di kota Lyon. Kurikulumnya disesuaikan dengan kurikulum nasional, dengan penambahan pelajaran tentang fiqih Islam sebagai muatan lokal.

Pada awalnya, pembukaan sekolah tersebut mengalami kendala, karena sulit mendapatkan ijin. Sekolah Al-Kindi misalnya, terkendala dalam ijin pengoperasian karena dianggap tidak memenuhi standar kebersihan dan keselamatan. Namun, Pengadilan Administratif di Lyon membatalkan penutupan sekolah itu. Menurut para pemimpin Perancis, insiden Al-kindi justru akan mendorong masyarakat muslim untuk membuka sekolah serupa.

·         Perkembangan Islam dalam Dunia Politik

Masalah agama, merupakan masalah yang sensitif untuk dibahas. Namun, permasalah agama juga bisa mempengaruhi perkembangan politik suatu negara. Begitu juga di Perancis.

Masalah yang akhir-akhir ini muncul di Perancis adalah membludaknya imigran, yang sebagian besar muslim, hingga menyebabkan Islam di negara ini berkembang sangat pesat. Sejak peristiwa kelam 11 September 2001, Islam mendapat cap baru yaitu, agama teroris. Dengan berbagai alasan dan dalih, Amerika Serikat menjadi pelopor dan penggerak agar dunia mengutuk dan menjauhi  Islam. Ajaran Islam mulai jilbab, poligami, jihad hingga masalah penampilan seperti jenggot, dll. menjadi obyek serangan. Sehingga, timbullah  apa yang disebut Islamophobia.

Sebagai imbasnya, pada tahun 2001, sejumlah masjid dan rumah imam-imam masjid menjadi sasaran bom molotov. Peraturan pelarangan penggunaan jilbab yang menjadi penanda jelas seorang muslim pun merupakan salah satu bentuk Islamophobia. Selain itu, beberapa kasus kriminal yang terjadi di Perancis dilakukan oleh penduduk imigran. Karenanya, beberapa pemimpin Perancis yang ekstrim, menentang dengan lantang masuknya imigran, karena hal tersebut dapat menghilangkan keturunan asli warga Perancis. Marie Le Pen dan Nicholas Sarkozy menggunakan kampanye anti imigran untuk mendapatkan perhatian rakyat Perancis pada pemilihan presiden beberapa waktu lalu.

Permasalahan imigran bisa berpengaruh terhadap pandangan politik rakyat Perancis ke depannya. Apabila semakin banyak umat muslim yang memilih, maka kesempatan untuk duduk di kursi pemerintahan bagi umat muslim juga semakin tinggi. Tentu saja hal tersebut bisa berpengaruh terhadap peraturan-peraturan yang berlaku di Perancis.

Baru-baru ini, skandal Muhammad Merah[5], warga Toulouse, Muslim imigran Aljazair, telah resmi ditetapkan pemerintah sebagai penanggung jawab skandal terbunuhnya 3 warga sipil di kota tersebut dan meledaknya bom di sekolah Yahudi yang memakan korban 3 orang anak dan 1 orang dewasa. Semuanya Yahudi. Sementara 2 diantara warga sipil yang ditembak adalah Muslim imigran Magreban. Tariq Ramadan, seorang ulama ternama dari Swiss mengatakan bahwa pelaku hanya sebagai korban konspirasi elit politik Perancis. Pelaku penembakan itu, tidak bisa dianggap sebagai generalisasi warga muslim di Perancis karena perilakunya sama sekali tidak mencerminkan ajaran-ajaran muslim. 

Islam di Perancis kini telah berkembang dengan pesat. Pengenalan ajaran Islam yang cinta damai, bermoral tinggi dan bersifat melindungi wanita menjadi daya tarik tersendiri bagi masyarakat Perancis. Diperkirakan setiap tahun, ada sekitar 30.000-70.000 penduduk Perancis masuk Islam. Dengan jumlah umat muslim yang semakin bertambah, maka fasilitas-fasilitas yang sesuai dengan ajaran Islam semakin mudah ditemukan. Masjid, sekolah, penjual daging halal sudah bisa banyak ditemui di wilayah Perancis. Namun, pandangan-pandangan tentang Islam datang dari luar menimbulkan pandangan skeptis atas masyarakat muslim di Perancis hingga menimbulkan Islamophobia. Padahal hal tersebut tidak bisa digunakan sebagai acuan generalisasi perwujudan dari perilaku muslim sesungguhnya.

---

[1] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html (accessed on 22 May 2012).

[2] http://hizbut-tahrir.or.id/2009/07/27/islam-di-prancis-terbesar-di-eropa/ (accessed on 22 May 2012).

[3] Bowen, John. R. Islam in/of France: Dilemma of Translocality. A paper read at The 13th International Conference of Europeanists, Chicago, March 14-16, 2002.

[4] Ibid.

[5] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2118052/Toulouse-shooting-Mohammad-Merah-dead-jumping-flat-window-guns-blazing.html (accessed on 22 May 2012).

Sejarah Masuknya Islam di Prancis

Prancis sudah mengenal Islam sejak abad ke-8 M. Sejarah menyebutkan Islam pertama kali masuk ke wilayah Prancis dimulai pada waktu terjadi penyebaran ajaran Islam oleh para khalifah ke Eropa yang dimulai dengan penaklukan wilayah Spanyol pada tahun 711 M.

Pada tahun 721 M, Abd-ur-Rahman, seorang bangsa Barbar, diangkat menjadi Gubernur di Spanyol. Untuk menyebarkan ajaran Islam, beliau beserta para prajurit dan pasukan berkuda melewati Pegunungan Pyrenees untuk berekspansi ke wilayah Prancis yang pada masa itu diduduki oleh bangsa Frank. Sepanjang perjalanan mereka berhasil menduduki beberapa wilayah untuk penyebaran ajaran Islam dan terus bergerak menuju Sungai Loire.

Pada tahun 732 M, bangsa Frank melakukan perlawanan terhadap prajurit Abd-ur-Rahman yang telah memasuki wilayah Prancis. Bangsa Frank dipimpin oleh Charles Martel, yang dijuluki “The Hammer” menghadang prajurit Islam di wilayah Poitiers. Perang antara pasukan Abd-ur-Rahman dan Charles Martel dianggap sebagai perang yang sangat menentukan perkembangan agama Islam pada masa itu. Perang tersebut disebut Perang Tours.

Pada tanggal 10 Oktober 732 M, prajurit Islam dihadang oleh pasukan Martel yang telah mempersiapkan mental untuk menghadapi prajurit yang dipimpin oleh Abd-ur-Rahman – seorang bangsa Barbar - yang terkenal dengan kekejamannya. Pasukan Martel telah menunggu selama beberapa hari dengan perlengkapan yang telah dipersiapkan untuk melakukan perlawanan di musim dingin. Sementara itu, prajurit Islam tidak menguasai medan sehingga mereka tidak mempersiapkan perlengkapan perang untuk musim dingin.

Perang yang terjadi di antara wilayah Tours dan Poitiers itu memakan banyak korban. Namun kesiapan mental pasukan Martel berhasil memukul mundur prajurit Islam. Pasukan Martel telah dilatih untuk melawan kekejaman bangsa Barbar hingga terjadi pertumpahan darah yang sengit antara kedua pasukan tersebut. Beberapa sumber menyatakan bahwa prajurit Islam mengalami kekalahan karena mereka terpecah belah hingga akhirnya kekuatan mereka berkurang dan kurang tangguh dalam mengahadapi serangan Charles Martel. Abd-ur-Rahman terbunuh dalam perang tersebut. Prajurit Islam dipaksa mundur dari wilayah Prancis, dan itu menjadi akhir dari ekspansi ajaran Islam di wilayah Eropa Barat.

Atas kemenangannya, Charles Martel dianggap sebagai penyelamat umat Kristen dan Eropa pada masa itu. Perang Tours merupakan perang yang sangat menentukan, karena jika prajurit Islam memenangkan peperangan tersebut, kemungkinan hal itu akan berpengaruh kuat terhadap perkembangan agama di wilayah Eropa. Beberapa sumber menyebutkan bahwa Islam bisa saja menjadi agama mayoritas di Eropa apabila Abd-ur-Rahman menang.

Pada masa itu, penyebaran agama Islam dilakukan dengan perang untuk menduduki wilayah-wilayah agar penduduknya mau memeluk agama tersebut. Terjadi banyak peperangan di wilayah lain hingga menyebabkan kerajaan-kerajaan Islam terpecah karena pemimpinnya ingin menjadi penguasa. Umat Kristen sendiri mengalami perpecahan karena beberapa ajaran agama mereka dianggap telah melencenga dari ajaran sesungguhnya. Maka terjadilah perang Salib pada tahun 1095 yang berlangsung hingga 200 tahun. Setelah itu, kekuasaan Islam mulai melemah dan menyisakan wilayah Granada. Namun, pada tahun 1492, Sultan Granada pun akhirnya menyerah sepenuhnya pada raja Ferdinand III dari Aragon dan Isabella.

Tidak seperti ajaran Kristen, ajaran Islam dianggap sebagai ajaran yang terlalu kolot dengan mengatur seluruh aspek kehidupan. Semenjak perang Tours, Prancis terus menyatakan melawan ajaran Islam hingga terjadi pertempuran berdarah dan pendudukan di wilayah Tunisia (1881) dan Maroko (1901). Di sisi lain, perkembangan ajaran Kristen yang mulai terpecah karena perbedaan persepsi juga terjadi di berbagai wilayah Eropa.

Tulisan ini adalah sebagian dari makalah yang dikumpulkan penulis sebagai tugas mata kuliah Religi di Eropa tanggal 25 Mei 2012

Summer in Europe 2012 (Part I)

In summer this year, I had an opportunity to visit countries which I had never dreamed of visiting before. I had a quite trauma that I should have gone studying at Queensland, Australia, but unfortunately I didn't due to some reasons. Quite disappointing. Well, it was in the past! After deciding to study at University of Indonesia, the opportunity of going abroad was open again. At first I got an announcement about a Summer Programme held by EU Center in Singapore. This programme purposed on focusing at the European integration so that it probably is able to be implemented in here, Asia, particularly ASEAN countries. Instead of a series of intensive seminars, the programme also comprised of a field trip to European Union institutions in Europe. As it relates to my study of European Studies, I decided to apply to that chance. Within a month, I got an email that I have been considered as one of the short-listed candidates, then they would like to make an interview via skype. Okay.. I was so exciting!! :)

The next week after the interview, I got another email about the inquiry and stuffs to be prepared along with the acceptance letter from EU Center in Singapore. At first they told that the Schengen visa to Europe will be prepared and covered by them, from Singapore. However, they asked the three Indonesian participants to look for the visa ourselves. It was 2 weeks before we go. Pretty hectic days to apply for visa in only few days, since it usually needs at least a month to get it from the Embassy. Thankfully, I got the visa from the Embassy of Netherlands. Then, I could focus on completing my final assignments for my study~~ it was in the end of semester, anyway.

Well, within the programme, there are 21 participants, all is from Singapore but 7 foreigners, 3 Indonesian, 1 Malaysian, 1 Cambodian, 2 Vietnamese. The overseas participants were provided with a room each at the Graduate Hall of National Technology University of Singapore. O yea, all the seminars would be held in Rajaratnam School of International Studies in NTU. The room was pretty wide and had a fan on the ceiling. As the foreigners, we explored Singapore together. It was super fun and impressive, enjoying the life as a student in NTU, for about 2 weeks.

Getting know and living with the mature Bang Sallehudin, the fashionable Em Lien, cheerful dek Ayya, smart Corina, the "lost" Thao, and the mister map Try is such an honour to me. I'd like to craft your names as a part of my life stone. I could also learn from you all about your country, civilisation, and lifestyle.

I got the chance to meet and learn from many great people; students and lecturers. One thing I learnt from Singaporean is that they will obey the rule of law and respect others, even though they will do anything to attain their goals. And they will be more respectful to educated people.

I would like to share my other story about Summer Programme in Europe, later.. C u.. <3 font="font">

EUC Summer Programme's participants with lecturers

Manneken-Pis: a tiny Cold-Friend from Brussels

Have you ever been in Belgium? Have you ever heard of Tintin and his dog, Snowy? Yup, it is world-wide known as a legendary comics, which has been published since 1929. It has not only been considered as a comic, but also reflects and influences the International affairs of Belgium towards many countries lately. Tintin was originally created by Georges Remi (1907–1983), a journalist from Brussels. His adventurous stories throughout the world were described in adorable plot so that might leave a deep impression to the readers. Not only for kids, fans of Tintin are varied from their ages, originals and backgrounds. Some parts of the seriess are forbidden to publish. But most of them are still being republished until now as there are still many fans of Tintin in the world. Even, the Adventures of Tintin was filmed in 2011.

However, I would not discuss more about Tintin. Another famous symbol from Belgium is the Manneken Pis. Originally a simple fountain of public utility, Manneken-Pis is considered today a figure of legend, universally known. He became the representative par excellence of Brussels sense of humour - the "zwanze" - and the symbol of the spirit of protest and unconcern which characterizes the people living in this town, but also of the opposition to the multiple foreign occupations and to fanaticism. Nowadays he regularly shares the joys and the sorrows of the city.

The Manneken-Pis

Manneken-Pis was at first a fountain that played an essential role in the former distribution of drinking water since the 15th century. The system was well-known in all of Europe. Towards the end of the 17th century, the statue became more and more important in the city life. It was also a survivor of the bombardment of Brussels in 1695. Manneken-Pis became a precious good and enjoys a ceaselessly growing glory.

During big events, the Belgian adorn him with luxurious clothes. In the 18th century, Manneken-Pis was dressed at least 4 times a year. Since he lost his main function in the network of water conveyance of the city in 19th century, Manneken-Pis gradually became an image and symbol of the Brussels folkrole, the joy of the inhabitants and their capacity of self-mockery.

Although no one really knows the true story that inspired Manneken-Pis, rumours abound.

One such story recounts that he was a little boy who tried to douse a fire in the city with the only weapon he had at hand. Another story claims that he was the lost son of a visiting merchant, who had a statue sculpted to thank the citizens upon finding the boy was found urinating in the garden.

Various clothes of Manneken-Pis

Yet another favourite but unlikely tale claims that the statue commemorates Duke Godfrev III of Leuven, a two-years-old lord who in 1142 had troops battling armies of the Berthouts, the lord Grimbergen. It is said that the little two-years-old lord was placed in the basket hung in a tree to encourage the troops to fight for him. From there, he urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.

When my friends and I were looking for the Manneken-Pis, I thought that it would be much bigger than a tiny statue. After we found it, we just took some pics and that's all. Then we decided to eat waffle which tasted very good. :9

Well, tiny cold-bronze-friend, it was a memorable moment meeting you in Brussels, Belgium.

Me with Manneken-Pis :)