Use-it
Five improvements to Use-it.be
- Search feature (admittedly, right-hand menu is comprehensive and largely self-explanatory). You'll find a search feature enabled by MSN search below. Google can be used for this too. Why need a search? Suppose you've heard about Bar Tabac, but you do not know its location, this is very helpful.
- Vinyl records music shop. Located at the Aalmoezenierstraat 27, friendly atmosphere, large collection at competitive prices. I believe this shop would be a welcome addition to your second hand vinyl and cd section.
- Erotica shopping. From the backroom of Tuf Tuf, to the Erotische Verbeelding to the gay outlet near the Video Take out on the North to the adult material at Mekanik strip. Lots of people are interested in erotica.
- Modern architecture. A fair amount of young people visiting are art or design students and will be interested in modern architecture. While the usual architectural suspects get coverage in every guide, you will only rarely find descriptions of the buildings of Léon Stynen (the AXA building by Stynen, whose floors are suspended with steel cables to concrete pillars, is unique) and Renaat Braem who was a student of Le Corbusier.
- Video rental. Use-it Ghent features a video rental guide. Antwerp does not. Likely candidates are both Take out video stores (Volksstraat and the one near the Grote Kraaiwijk), the video store near the Draakplaats and the video store near the Stadspark.
- On this page Radio Centraal is listed at 103.9 FM, which became 106,7 a while back.
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My dear friends
[Friends are Joanna, a fashion student and Antoni, an arts student]Hope you've had a good trip; there are some refreshments in the fridge. For tonight I have made you some fine Belgian Spaghetti bolognaise. You'll also find coffee and some bread for tomorrow morning. If you feel like beer or wine, there is a night shop located in the Graaf van Hoornestraat itself, just take a left as leave our bulding; it's at the end of the street. If you don't feel like eating in, check out the Kraakpand at the Herbouvillekaai: a vegetarian dish for 3 euros and an authentic underground vibe.
If the trip didn't wear you out too much, check Bar Tabac tonight, DJ Snof is doing one of his "Teutonic" sets. Located at the Waalse Kaai 43 the Bar Tabac is just a five minute walk from my flat (past the night shop I mentioned, cross the street, cross the big square, then take a left), no admission, friendly atmosphere, small bar, cheap drinks, dancing, one of my fave hang-outs.
A bit about Antwerp and your surroundings. Antwerp is a relatively small but very exciting city. You can do all of it by bicycle. You can use mine, they are downstairs. Leave them where they are on your first day however, plenty of things to see on foot. This is a map of Antwerp, it is only a twenty minute walk to the town center. Our neighbourhood is called "Het Zuid" (the South) and it just so happens to be the trendiest neighbourhood in the city. On your way to the center you will find fashion shops, eateries, cinemas, video rental stores, second hand book stores, second hand music stores and new cd and vinyl stores within walking distance.
Saturday:
Joanna, I guess you might want to go fashion shopping. Antoni, I've listed some record stores, book stores for your pleasure.
Here's what we will do: take a left outside of the flat. At the night shop take a right, follow the tramway; you will see the Royal Museum on your right hand. At the final corner of the museum, cross the tramway, you'll find the shop of Anne de Meulemeester. Gawk, gaze, admire, don't purchase, too expensive. Continue direction city. You are now in the Volksstraat where you'll find a lovely Art Nouveau building (number 40) which is now a Steiner school. Continue direction city, 50 meters further is Video Take Out store, if you feel like a movie tonight, look no further, just give them my name. In case you haven't eaten, cross the street and get yourselves a breakfast at the Biologisch Dynamische Bakkerij (health food). Next to the bakery is Vulcanus, second hand books, round the corner TUF TUF, second hand books, magazines and some erotica in the backroom.
The Volksstraat becomes the Nationalestraat (at your right is the Tropical institute, venture inside for a nice view of the Art Deco hall). Little bit further: Elsa. Shoes and boots, one of the more original stores. Expensive, yes I know, but it may still be sales, so you might be able to do a deal. Don't worry; the street fashion is at the end of our twenty minute route at the Kammenstraat.
Continue down the Nationalestraat; take a right at the Aalmoezenierstraat for Vinyl Records, as the name suggests, lots and lots of vinyl. It might be a good idea to split up, if I know Antoni like I think I do, he won't be finished in five minutes. Joanna can head towards the Kammenstraat (Fish and Chips et all), the street fashion center of Antwerp (don't forget to visit hi-fashion stores Dries Van Noten (Nationalestraat) and Walter Van Beirendonck (St.Antoniusstraat 12)). If you need a haircut go to Lines (just across the fashion museum, do that tomorrow) in the Nationalestraat.
Meet up at the Groenplaats, visit Fnac (books, music etcetera) or Habitat. For further fashion shopping, your choices are the Wilde Zee gallery (assorted smaller brands fashion shopping) or theMeir (large fashion outlets). For Antoni: Mekanik strip (adult comics and graphic novels), Record Collector second hand vinyl American imports (Lange Nieuwstraat), USA-import dance related new vinyl (St Jacobsmarkt).
You are now almost broke.
Take the tram back to the South (8 or 12 or 24). Go to the Delhaize, buy some food or eat cheaply in almost any place in the Verschansingstraat right next to the Hoppper.
Take a shower, get dressed to go to Petrol where tonight the Fall is in concert. Take the bikes; it is about a 10 minute ride.
Sunday:
Antoni: visit Middelheim park, Renaat Braem buildings and Léon Stynen buildings. Take a look at the Schelde, visit the old docks. Visit the MuHKa, the KMSKA or the Fashion museum. Have a coffee at Cafénation.
In the evening pick up a movie at the listed video rental stores or better still, check what's on at MuHKA Cinema or Cartoons cinema.
Have a safe trip, catch you online.