Going to a town

Liège used to be said to be an ugly city. A dirty city even.
Today we cycle from Gemmenich to Liège via ligne 38 and 39. The lignes mentioned are former railway routes. It is fairly easy to cycle with no climbs. Getting in Gemmenich and returning home from Liège is harder.

Liège is a conglomerate. In the suburbs you see poor and untidy housing and poverty. Working-class families without the large factories where work could be found. South of Liège I saw the high hills of the Ardennes. High abysses along the Meuse, often created by quarrying and to create space for factories, homes and roads. All sorts of things were taken from this land and still are, though there is less and less left to get.

Liège has changed. The dark narrow streets and unfinished parks now look cosy narrow and attractive.