One weekend to go!

Well the countdown is on, I have one weekend left in Brussels. I have mixed feelings. While this has been a fantastic experience, I am ready to get home.

This past weekend was nice. The weather has been perfect, actually, since I've been here. I stayed in Brussels on Saturday, hung out with Beth, and then had a very nice, free, dinner at the hotel. They are trying to make up for all the problems in the hotel, could never recommend this hotel to anyone, at least not this hotel in Brussels.

Sunday I took the train to Antwerp. The newest employee to the office, Sandy, and I went up. She had told me that the train station in Antwerp is where the "viral" video that is going around took place. It is a beautiful train station, took lots of photos. Then we boarded the "hop on hop off" bus and took a motor tour of the city. Sandy is 70 but she's quite a pistol! After the bus tour we took a walk over to this beautiful Cathedral. Once again people were out everywhere, bicycling, walking, being together as families. Outside of this Cathedral was a "street performer", doing juggling, fire, etc. He was quite cute, so we stayed and watched.

We try to head back to Brussels but again this weekend there were problems with the train, coming out of Amsterdam. We ended up finding a "local" train which made more stops, but it was still quite efficient. I am so impressed with the mass transportation in Europe, too bad the US can't have a system like this.

I had an interesting dinner last night. I met up with a friend of a friend (Nicolas) who is French, but lives in Brussels. He took me to dinner and we had a great time. He's very intelligent and a lot of fun.

As of this time I don't have plans for the weekend, but will probably stay in Brussels and do some souvenier shopping.

Open House at the Executive Apartments

Well last night there was a reception for all of us who are staying at the Executive Apartments of the Marriott. I think this reception was thrown because so many people are having so many problems with the hotel. This Marriott definitely is not up to par with other Marriotts. There are issues with housekeeping, holes in the towels, not getting bath towels - just hand towels, the rooms have sewer odors, etc. I thought maybe I was the only person with these problems, as it turns out the complaints are throughout, so that made me feel somewhat better. The beds are horrible, mattresses are very worn and my back has just about had all it can, I wake up everyday with a stiff back and pain in my hip - so I am more than ready to come home now, just 15 days!

So...back to the reception. They had wine and beer and some finger foods. This is quite out of the ordinary for me, but I drank a LOT! Then I went out with a couple of folks after and didn't get back until 1:30 a.m. - I am feeling it today - I figured it wouldn't matter anyway as I haven't slept for 5 nights now!!!

I am considering a trip back to Oostende this weekend, or else up to Antwerp. The train station in Antwerp is the one used in the viral video that's gone around when professional dancers broke out in a dance at the train station, so I'd like to see that. It's not that far, so will probably get that done too. Just two weekends left!!

Back to work and looking forward to getting home.

Just an update

Well not much happened last week, but this past weekend was busy. I went by train to Ghent with some co-workers. It was 80 degrees or more, and it was beautiful! Our train ride was standing room only, but we later found out there had been a previous train "accident" and passengers were being re-routed - don't know what the accident consisted of, but arrived to Ghent safely. Another beautiful, historic town. Had a great lunch and then went for a canal boat ride, just lovely. Only bad thing about it was the narration was in Dutch/French, so none of us understood a thing!!

Sunday was the annual "No Drive" day. The only cars allowed on the roads were taxis. Very neat concept. Just thousands of bike riders, walkers, roller blading and segways. There was an "eco" festival in front of the Royal Palace, so we basically spent the day there. It had the feel of a county fair, lots of food, exhibitions and just time for family/friends. It was wonderful.

Last night there was a celebration of a grand opening of a new business center, not from from the Royal Palace and the Grand Place. Beth and I went down to that, and boy were we surprised! They know how to do things here. There were dancers, ballet, the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, singers, a piano player, too much to try to describe here. I took about 800 photos, so hopefully one or two will come out!! I was lucky in where I was standing, right next to the "runway" they were using for the dancers and other performers. They had all kinds of fireworks during the program and the grand finale was fantastic. We got about about 10:15, so I was exhausted of spending a day in the beautiful sunshine and all the people.

Now back to work. Only two weekends left. Ready to see some American football!!! I miss everybody.

Grand Place

Today was a rather uneventful day. I went to church at a nearby Cathedral - beautiful. Even though I didn't understand any of the words, it was still lovely. After church I met up with my new friend Beth, and the two of us ventured down to the Grand Place. They were having a WWII event, old time band/orchestra, people dancing, old military vehicles, etc. It was really something to see. I chose not to schlep my camera with me today, so I missed out on a great photo op. Oh well.....

Ready for another week of work, just three weekends left here. Yes, I am homesick!!!

Oostende - the North Sea

Well today I took the train up to Oostende, the North Sea. When I left Brussels it didn't look too promising, but when I arrived in Oostende, it was well worth it. The sun was shining and I was near the water. It was just what the doctor ordered. It was worth the 16 euros round trip! I'll probably go back again. I've seen just about all I can see in Brussels and now with less than four weeks to go, I want to get out and see what else is around here. I may try Luxembourg one weekend, it's not too far. I'd love to go to Germany or Switzerland, but too costly for such a short period of time. Will have to do this again sometime!

Miss everyone

Love
Julie

Paris!!

Wow! What can I say - it was fabulous and I MUST go back. There was so much to see and so little time. I used the Hop On/Hop Off bus for my transportation and it was well worth the $32 for 2 days. My hotel was near the Eiffel Tower. On Friday and Saturday nights, after they light it up, around 9 pm they put "twinkling" lights on for about 10 minutes. I got to see it and took some photos. I really can't wait to see all my photos on my computer!!

The only place I actually went into was Notre Dame. I was fortunate enough to have arrived just in time for the service on Sunday morning - how moving! All the other attractions I was only able to see from the outside - but Paris is definitely a return trip someday - so much history! I never expected to feel this way about Paris, I see why people fall in love with it.

Now it's back to reality, back to work today. I'm in my new hotel, the Marriott Renaissance, which is next door to where I had been staying - it's much nicer, but nothing like home, which I'm ready to be back in my own bed and a nice sized shower where I can freely turn without bumping into walls - LOL!! Europe is definitely not a place for BIG people!!!

I am going to try to go to the Coast this weekend. Found out you can take a train (about 1 hr ride) up to the North Sea - I MUST see the water if it's that close. Hopefully my good weather will hold out for me. They say this has been most unusual with the temps and lack of rain - it's really only rained one good rain since I've been here. There were a few sprinkles in Paris on Saturday, but I said a prayer to my grandpa and asked him to make it stop, and it did!!!

Wow! Paris!!! What can I say???

Paris

what can I say except that Im exhausted. this keyboard is driving me nuts! one and a half days is NOT enough. this is definitely a must return to location!!!! My mission was accomplished today!!!!

Not much to report today

Just wanted to check in and let you all know everything is going great. The weather is holding out for me, they say I must have brought this with me as it usually isn't this nice for so long. Was looking at forecast for Paris and I think I'm gonna luck out there too. After that I am staying put with the exception of places nearby. I may do a day trip to Luxembourg, and there is a coastal city about 1 hour away by train, can't leave here without seeing the North Sea in person! On weekends it's only $16 RT (euros), so that isn't a bad price.

Love
Julie