The rules are simple: Post a minimum of six pictures of typical scenes from around your neighborhood. Photos must be taken by the blogger (in this case me!) and include a typical mode of transportation, a school or educational facility, a market or shopping facility, a typical house, a nearby street, and a playground.
 |
| Typical city houses are attached and made of brick, stone or a combination of both. What they lack in street presence is often made up for by small rear gardens. Many streets are pedestrian only or vehicle traffic is limited to residents only. Parking is either on street or in very small garages that may be attached to the houses or located nearby. |
 |
| Belgians love their cars. Compact cars that is since streets are narrow, parking spaces are even smaller and parking garages, when they exist, are designed with low ceilings and narrow entrances. But as much as cars are loved here, there is a robust public transportation system in Mons. Trains can whisk you to Brussels in less than 45 minutes and the bus system that has routes through even the smallest villages making it possible, although a bit inconvenient, to get just about any place you want to go. |
 |
| Mons is a university town with the school having campuses spread throughout the city. This, however, is my neighborhood public school. Like the houses here, schools are made of brick and stone and blend in with their surroundings. Any outdoor space is located in inner courtyards out of view from the public. |
 |
| This is a local playground. Playgrounds attached to schools tend to be small and for the use of their students only. Neighborhood parks provide a small amount of play space for kids. |
 |
| Belgians love their markets and Mons is no exception. Sundays and Fridays are market days in Mons and you can buy everything from fresh flowers and antiques to plants, vegetables, meats and cheeses at the markets which are set up throughout the city center. This picture is of the herb market on the city's Grand Place. |
 |
| Many of the streets in the center of Mons are cobblestone. |
 |
| The Mons Belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage site.... |
 |
| ....and its grounds often serve as a pubic gathering place. Here, the Belfry's grounds play host to a World War I camp. The reenactment commemorated the opening battle of Britain's involvement in the War. |
 |
| The heart of the city is the Grand Place. Each September the Mons hosts "Tanks in Town" a celebration of the Allied liberation of Mons during World War II. |
 |
| Mons' grand cathedral: the Collegiate Church of Saint Waudru |
 |
| Mons is a 2015 European Capital of Culture and as such, festivities are planned for the entire year. The opening ceremony was held in January to kick off a year of celebrating the arts. |