I'm Home!

Well my travel day home was a very long day. The flight from Brussels to Atlanta was 10 hours. I was to have a 2.5 hour layover in Atlanta, but we were late leaving Brussels, waiting on passengers coming from a flight from Helsinki. I was lucky, I switched seats at the last second and was able to sit at one of the bulkheads, so I had plenty of leg room! We got 2 hot meals, snacks, watched 3 movies, several TV programs, advertisements, they kept us occupied. The flight was great, just a few patches of turbulence here and there, but fantastic for the most part. They have a GPS on the flight where you can watch and track your flight, give the altitude, speed, times, air temp, very interesting.

Mom and John came to the airport to pick me up and brought a surprise! Bob and Suzy were there, Bob with camera in hand and Suzy with a welcome home sign and a balloon. It was so nice to see them and be welcomed home like that!!

I had been told several times that John's kids were going to Chicago for the weekend and that Mary Helen was going to be busy so I wouldn't see them right away. Well, they are all liars! When I got home there was a houseful of my family, waiting with Jockamos pizza and mom's vegetable soup - it was fantastic. I was beyond exhausted but stayed up til about 10 p.m, then off to bed. I got up about 6 a.m. and did sleep all night, with the help of Ambien!!! I feel much better this morning, but I am most importantly glad to be home again! There is no place like home!

My Last Week in Brussels

Well it is now my last week in Brussels. This past weekend was a bit uneventful. I shopped on Saturday and did some photos on Sunday. They had a marathon here, so I went and watched the start and then walked down to where the finish took place, at the Grand Place. I cannot understand how those runners could run 26 miles on the cobblestone streets, it's hard enough just to walk on them. Last night I was at the local American bar/restaurant around the corner from the hotel and talked to one of the runners - he was amazed at how "hilly" it is here and then also complained about the cobblestones - he said he was in a great deal of pain - no doubt! I was able to watch the Colts beat the Seahawks last night, what a great feeling it was to see them on TV. It was rather funny....when we first got to the bar (Fat Boys) it was filled with Brits watching the "other" football. As soon as that game was over the place cleared out and then filled with Americans!! Can't believe I didn't know about this place until my last week here - oh well.

I may have my last photo op tonight - the farmers here are protesting over the price of milk - we've gotten emails here at the Embassy warning about traffic snarls due to all the TRACTORS!! I MUST get photos of this!!

Will be glad to be back on American soil - can't wait to see everyone when I get home.

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