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| Modern tram in Ghent, Belgium |
After about ten days I took a trip to Ghent on the tram. All the trams here are single-deckers and are usually divided into two compartments. I don't think much notice is taken of it now but apparently there used to be first and third class travelling. One part of the trams has soft seats and curtains in the windows and the other part has hard seats. Usually these trams pull another carriage behind them for passengers and in rush hours I have seen as many as six hitched on the back.
There appears to be no queueing for trams here. When one comes along everybody tries to get on at once but everybody does get on. The shout "full-up" is never heard. People just pile on anywhere even on the platform with the driver or on the rear bumper. The only time anyone could miss getting on a tram is when there not an inch of space left. Steam trains also run on the tram lines. It is peculiar to see a train go by whilst waiting for a train.
I got into Ghent after a ride on two trams and then had a walk around the shops. Most of the streets were very narrow but there were a few large open squares. There were three large shops and they were well stocked with everything. The toys were very plentiful and cheap. All sorts of wooden toys and dolls were on show and most shops had ice-cream or grapes. These were very cheap. We had tea in the Canadian Legion Club, where civilian women were serving. They could speak English and some of them very well. They always had some tasty rolls here and also fancy cakes with cream on them.
After tea we went to a Theatre called the "Ancienne Belgie" and saw a variety show. All the speech was in Flemish but there was not much talking in the show. All the seats were wooden chairs and everyone sat at tables in line back from the stage, so we had to look sideways at the stage. Drinks were served by the waiters while the show was on. After this we went back to camp.
