Brugge

On Sunday I made a VERY last minute decision to take the bus tour to Brugge. It was absolutely fabulous, the buildings are so beautiful, can't believe I'm seeing buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries, still standing!! Took another canal tour and that was great. I made friends with an older couple from New Jersey/Florida and they adopted me for the day (Fran and Bob). They had their local newspaper with them and this newspaper asks their readers to take the paper on vacation with them and have their photo taken in far off locations, then they publish the vacation photos in the paper. I was their personal photographer for the day and loved every minute of it. They bought me lunch and they were truly a joy to be around. They made up for me not having my family with me. They happen to be staying at the hotel around the corner (the one I'm moving to next week), so last night we ran into each other, they bought a pizza and brought it to my apartment! It was a truly delightful evening. Bob is 82 and Fran is 64 - but neither of them appear to be their age, they get around great and never tired!

So far I've taken around 2000 photos, I'm going to need a week off to sort through them all do some editing.

Oh - yes, I am working while I'm here!! That's going great too - everyone in the office is really nice. My partner is going to be leaving next week, but I'm comfortable enough that I'll be just fine on my own.

Now I'm preparing for Paris, leaving Saturday morning.

Amersterdam

The trip to Amsterdam was great. It started out a little shaky. We were picked up by this little "shuttle" bus, not realzing they were taking us to a bigger "luxury" bus. The trip was about 3 hours and we were all thinking "this is not what we paid for". Pleasantly, we transferred to a comfortable bus and started on the journey. We made a planned but unnecessary stop for bathroom and "snacks". Then we made another planned stop at a small cheese and wooden shoe place, in a residence, which was rather quaint. They showed us the cheese making process (the place stunk - and I was NOT the only one who thought so), then on to their "gift shop". We then proceeded into Amsterdam, passing beautiful windmills and very old buildings, many from the 15th and 16th centuries - of course I have a few photos. We then hopped on a canal cruise, but much to my dismay, it was covered in "plexiglass" - not suitable for photography. I eventually eased my way through the crowded boat up to the front next to our "captain". I sat on some steps where I had a clear view of all the magnificent buildings. Had I not made this move, I would have had no photos!!!

After touring the canals, we had about 2 hours to enjoy the heartbeat of Amsterdam. I paired up with Pierre-Luc, from Canada - he was a super nice guy - reminded me of my cousin - Peter Tomlinson!! We had lunch together and then ventured into the "red light" district - inquiring minds!!! I was able to snap a few shots of what we were told NOT to do, but I just had to do it! We really didn't have much time to see all that Amsterdam has to offer, but saw enough - I think the ONLY reason I'd go back is to see the gorgeous men Amsterdam has to offer!!

We headed back to Belgium and I plan to sort of take it easy today. There is a Bascilla I've seen off in the distance, so that may be my destination today.

Happy Birthday to my mom - 85!!! I love you!!!

Julie

2 weeks down

Well this is the end of my second full week of "working". You know, this working while on vacation is really getting in the way!!! All kidding aside, the work has been great, learned a lot of new things and have gotten everything here all caught up - I'm afraid they aren't going to let me come back home!!!

Would I do this again, YES, but probably for a shorter period of time, 30 days would be good. 60 days is a long time to be away from my family and friends. If I would have had more time to prepare for this trip, that might have helped, but I am surviving. I am moving to the Marriott Renissannce Hotel (right next to where I am now). It's a much cozier feeling room, also with a kitchen and laundry facilities. Those two combined have helped me cut back on my expenses - thus being able to afford my trip to Paris.

Love you all!

Paris - here I come!

Well I made a reservation last night to Paris for 9/5-6. Now I have to find a hotel. I had been trying to book this on the internet and encountered problem after problem. In the European site I could not put my US home adress mailing address. On the US side I could not use a Brussels mailing address, so I just walked (again) down to the train station and bought my tickets. Well, am I glad I did. They were MUCH cheaper than on the internet, plus not having to pay a shipping and handling fee! I may also go to London around 9/19, it was pretty cheap too, so if anyone has a good recommendation for a hotel in Londan, speak up!! The same with Paris!!

I am getting very comfortable now, not getting lost. Only real problem I have is my heels are cracked terribly, today I had to wear tennis shoes into the office, brought dress shoes with me, but they ARE NOT going on unless I get up from my desk!!!

I am off to Amsterdam this weekend, just bought my ticket this morning. The forecast isn't all that great, but it's a hit or miss here too, just like Indiana!!

A new experience for me

Well yesterday I had the experience of a public, coed restroom! I knew you had to pay for some restroom use, but never imagined they would be coed, so much to my surprise when I walked in to use the facility, there was a man standing there peeing!!! Was I ever shocked. At least I had a stall to use!!

I am trying to book a reservation to Paris, but it has been very difficult. I can't go through the European site, they have directed me to the American site. In the American site I can't give a European mailing address to receive my train tickets! So I may just "hoof" it tonight, or take the subway, down to the train station and just do it in person. Quite the challenge!

I assisted an elderlyBritish woman last night trying to find a particular hotel near the Grand Place. Because I have been lost so much I have found my way around and I'm getting quite good at this. Instead of continuing on to take a photo I was trying to get, I walked the lady back to where she needed to go (about 2 miles back). I thought...if this were my mom, I'd want somebody nice like me helping her - so I did. All these streets/sidewalks are cobblestone and I was concerned about her falling, plus she was carrying 2 credit cards in her hand along with a purse on her shoulder. Pick pocketing is horrible here, so I wanted to make sure she got to her destination safely, and she was very appreciative!

The weather has been fantastic thus far, and the walking continues! I still miss my friends and family, but this has been a great experience for me.

Sunday in Belgium

Well today is Sunday, heading into my 2nd week here and still alive. Yesterday I walked for 8 hours, stopping about 1 hour total. I couldn't sleep last night as my knees were killing me, but I woke up nearly painfree this morning. Dinner with the boss and his friends on Friday was wonderful, great food, great people. Even a guy from Indy was there!!! They also lived in Columbus, Indiana for a time and now live in Charlotte, he was a very kind man, so he quizzed me about being a Hoosier. Another man there is a professor at the American University, a Notre Dame graduate. He moved to Belgium 18 years ago and never went back to the states. It was an interesting group of people, all here for jobs from the US.

I found this internet cafe so I can keep everyone informed, it's a weird place, but at least I can connect to my friends.

Gotta run for now, will check in later.
Love
Julie

Survived my First Week

I have survived my first week in Europe and it is getting better. I'll admit, at first I wasn't sure, but now it's okay. It's all the unknown, and I'm not good about facing the unknown. I'm getting more familiar each day with the area and enjoying my free time. Tonight the "boss" is having all of us over for dinner; pizza, etc., so that should be fun. Everyone in this office is very nice and easy to get along with, so that makes the work part of this trip tolerable (I keep forgetting I'm not on vacation but here to work - LOL!)

I make venture out next week, will scope things out this weekend and decide what I want to do. My co-worker who is also here from US is not going anywhere as his wife is coming here close to Labor Day and they are taking a vacation at that point, so what I do is on my own, and I'm not sure about the transit system, nothing is in English. So I'll get Ky to give me as much info as possible before he departs Belgium.

Raining in Belgium

I had to work late tonight because I overslept this morning. I did NOT sleep the night before, so I tried my RX. The first one to relax, didn't work, so I took the Ambien, turned off my phone and went to sleep. I awoke to the unit phone ringing, it was my co-worker, it was 8:25, we are due in the office at 8:30!! I had to shower and get dressed, arrived around 9:15!!! I was embarrassed, but I slept. As I was preparing to leave the embassy, heard the sound of thunder, it is now POURING rain, hail, lightening, so I'm going to stay here for a bit. My co-worker is also still here, so we'll go together. Hopefully one of the permanent folks here who have a car can drive us back as it's about a 10-15 min walk, but it truly is pouring.

I have walked so much, I need another notch on my belt, have run out of notches!!! Went to the "square" last night (where all the tourists go) and had dinner with Kyriaskos. The service is very slow here, so dinners usually take up to 3 hours. We didn't head back to the apartment until after 10 pm, and I still had laundry to do. I may reconsider about moving, the apartment (sparse as it is) is very close to the embassy and now I know how to get to the square much quicker. They offer free laundry services and I have a kitchen, so I'm saving quite a bit of money, so I may just stay put.

It's very different here, but that's what makes the world go round. Kyriaskos and I may go and tour and old castle on Saturday - it's free! Not much here is free, or COLD. You all know how I am about my ICE cold water, well...... But they do have HEINZ catstup in places - YEAH!!!

I may go to Amsterdam next weekend, going to stay local this weekend and get better acclimated with where I am. The bus to Amsterdam is only about $40 and I can do it in a day, rather than paying for overnight expenses.

I miss everyone - please write!
Julie

Update

I may not be able to keep up with the blog as there is no free internet access anywhere except at work, and I need to keep it at a minimum. Not sure if I am going to have a heart attack walking in the heat and up and down steps and over cobblestone streets, or I'm just going to MELT away. Either way, I'm getting a lot of exercise and minimal sleep - ugh! Otherwise I'm doing well. Haven't made any plans to travel as of yet, most important agenda is finding a new hotel, will be looking into that this weekend as you have to give a 2 week notice to the current facility. Will keep you posted as best I can.

Love
Julie

First day on the job

Well I have reported to my new position (TDY) and so far things are great. Everyone seems to be very friendly and it's within walking distance from the hotel. May change hotels later on, after my new friend leaves, he's only here for 30 days.

I walked over 8 miles yesterday, don't know if my friend was trying to kill me or just test my endurance, either way, I survived.

Not much sleep last night, tossed and turned until 3 a.m, had to be up at 6, even with the help of ambien still had this problem. Hopefully it will get better as time goes on.

Have arrived in Belgium

Well I made it safely to Belgium, only one incident on the plane, but did not have to make emergency landing. Very lucky as there is another person here, staying at same location and he has been my guide. Dont think I could have done it without him. By the way, the keyboard Im using is European and the keys are very different - so excuse my errors.

Today I have walked more than 4 hours - getting ready to go and eat. Will report when I can, once I have free internet service, right now using a cafe.

I'm ready to go. Going to Chicago first, then on to Belgium!!

Almost ready to go

The packing is almost done and I'm almost ready to embark on one of the greastest adventures of my life.

Okay friends, the clock is counting day. Thankfully I have the day off tomorrow so I can begin the packing process. I'm almost finished with all my online arrangements. So much to do, so little time, but this should be very exciting and educational!!!