Whenever I am walking through beautiful cities in Europe, I spend a lot of time with my eyes pointed upward, marveling at the amazing architecture. I’ve learned the hard way, though, that it is also important to look downward in order to avoid potentially unpleasant situations.
Dogs seem to be welcomed in many places in Europe and it is not rare for me to see them on public transportation and even in restaurants. Unfortunately, the dogs have to periodically answer the call of nature and not all owners seem to fulfill their civic responsibility to clean up after their dogs.
I ran across this sign in one section of pavement here in Brussels near the Bourse (Stock Exchange). I am sometimes confused by signs without words and often hesitate when confronted by symbols on public bathroom doors representing genders. In this case, I think it means that dogs should do their business elsewhere, though I suppose it could also be a warning that there are guard dogs present or that dogs should not even be in that area.
One other reason to look down from time to time is that there are sometimes beautiful things to be seen, like this artistic grate in one of the streets near the Grand-Place, the main square of Brussels. I don’t know the background of this little piece of art, but I am always happy to rediscover it each time that I return to Brussels.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Very cool, be safe.. 🙂
I hope you’re not seeing any of what has been on the news here lately, Mike.
I caught the news, but fortunately was not involved in any way.
The things one overlooks! You seem to fly “across the pond” rather frequently. What do you do there? Or is that classified? 🙂
It’s mostly doing computer and data work for some international exchanges of information on military forces–there are some annual requirements that I support, which is why my travel is cyclical.
I agree, with the news reported here, you need to be safe. It is sad so many countries are now becoming involved in the international travesty of terrorism.
That IS a potentially confusing dog-related sign, hmmmm….. Love that romantic portrait on the grate.
There are fines for not picking up after dogs here but it doesn’t seem to deter some people. I’m pretty sure the dog in that sign is doing its business by the way.
Things are looking up now that you’ve been looking down.