17h09
Today my two other host siblings - Erika and Alexis - arrived. Amaury, Benedicte - my host arents - and I woke up nice and early to go get them. Afterwards we stopped for breakfast at le Pain Quotidien, in Jambes - a town not too far from Arbre, my current town. I hadroissant with a chocolate filling, as well as regular bread with a white chocolate spread, as well as yogurt with fresh fruit, as well as a huge cup full of delicious hot chocolate. Fate being fateful, our server was none other than Carole-Ann, the Belgian inbound student to southern Arizona last year, who I had met at one of the Rotary meetings. It was crazy to just run into her on accident. The food was great and I ate more than I should have.
Anyway, Erika and I hit it off. She's my age, just having turned sixteen. According to Benedicte, I will be in the cinquième grade with Erika. I had it in my head that school started the first of September – this coming Wednesday. It starts the 6th, the Monday after tomorrow. Apparently I go to register this coming Friday. So I still have a solid week of vacation before school starts!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Driving's never been so fun
22h03
Going backwards in time a little bit, the plane ride over was extremely uneventful. The most exciting moment was probably when I was offered wine with my dinner on the overnight flight from Dallas to London.
Today we went to Ikea. I would explain how different or similar it is to those in the US had I ever been to an Ikea in the US. However, I do have to mention a couple differences – the roads!! They not only have smaller lanes, which I remember from being in Europe before, but they have roads that seem basically like one lane roads, but are not. I remember the first day driving home from the airport to pick up my host brother from where he was sailing, driving on this tiny road wondering where the road was that took cars in the other direction until I figured out that was the only road. Also, Belgians construct their roads to be obstacle courses – they are full to twists and sharp turns, blind spots, but also random speed bump type things and fences that stick into the road to make it less wide – to remind Belgians to drive slowly, my host dad told me. From my limited experience so far, it doesn’t work. At all. You don't drive in Belgium if you aren't willing to Claim and Capture your Place on the road. (capital letters on purpose.) If I get a chance to take a picture of the obstacle course, I’ll post it here. Forgot my camera again.
Going backwards in time a little bit, the plane ride over was extremely uneventful. The most exciting moment was probably when I was offered wine with my dinner on the overnight flight from Dallas to London.
Today we went to Ikea. I would explain how different or similar it is to those in the US had I ever been to an Ikea in the US. However, I do have to mention a couple differences – the roads!! They not only have smaller lanes, which I remember from being in Europe before, but they have roads that seem basically like one lane roads, but are not. I remember the first day driving home from the airport to pick up my host brother from where he was sailing, driving on this tiny road wondering where the road was that took cars in the other direction until I figured out that was the only road. Also, Belgians construct their roads to be obstacle courses – they are full to twists and sharp turns, blind spots, but also random speed bump type things and fences that stick into the road to make it less wide – to remind Belgians to drive slowly, my host dad told me. From my limited experience so far, it doesn’t work. At all. You don't drive in Belgium if you aren't willing to Claim and Capture your Place on the road. (capital letters on purpose.) If I get a chance to take a picture of the obstacle course, I’ll post it here. Forgot my camera again.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Cats are just as important as anything else
So far, so great. I enjoy being here – everything is still new and different and I am enjoying it. The Bronchart/Dewulf/Thomas family is extremely friendly and welcoming. I have yet to meet the two older children of the five, but the three younger children are so excited to tell me things and see me that it makes me feel really welcome. I was afraid they would all be afraid of the strange American living in their home, but that’s not the case.
As one might expect, everything here is green. I think I’ve only seen the sun once since I’ve been here, and that was this morning. It wasn’t even really seeing the sun, it was just sunlight peeking through the clouds. It rains almost continuously, but so far I rather like it.
The family has two cats – Grosschat and Blabla. Grosschat is sleeping on the couch across from me. He’s well suited to his name (it means fat cat) – his large nature reminds me of Garg. Blabla, a totally black cat, resembles my cat Grillo not only in color but in coordination as well. He fell into the small pond they have outside their house as he was drinking.
I promise pictures are to come soon - can you believe I left my camera at home on my first trip to Brussels? All the exchange students in Beligium met for an official welcoming and tour of the Royal Palace, the Grand Place, and the House and Senate. A tiring day, but interesting.
As one might expect, everything here is green. I think I’ve only seen the sun once since I’ve been here, and that was this morning. It wasn’t even really seeing the sun, it was just sunlight peeking through the clouds. It rains almost continuously, but so far I rather like it.
The family has two cats – Grosschat and Blabla. Grosschat is sleeping on the couch across from me. He’s well suited to his name (it means fat cat) – his large nature reminds me of Garg. Blabla, a totally black cat, resembles my cat Grillo not only in color but in coordination as well. He fell into the small pond they have outside their house as he was drinking.
I promise pictures are to come soon - can you believe I left my camera at home on my first trip to Brussels? All the exchange students in Beligium met for an official welcoming and tour of the Royal Palace, the Grand Place, and the House and Senate. A tiring day, but interesting.
I'm here! ...Right?
8h57
I'm here! (And it's still raining). I just looked out the window and saw the pouring rain. I had a strange feeling this morning – this is my second morning here. I woke up and as I woke up I had a semi-subconcious thought. Wow, that was weird; I dreamt I was in Belgium. I opened my eyes and was almost slightly surprised to discover that I wasn’t in my bed in Rio Rico. I almost said home, but this is my home as well, now.
I'm here! (And it's still raining). I just looked out the window and saw the pouring rain. I had a strange feeling this morning – this is my second morning here. I woke up and as I woke up I had a semi-subconcious thought. Wow, that was weird; I dreamt I was in Belgium. I opened my eyes and was almost slightly surprised to discover that I wasn’t in my bed in Rio Rico. I almost said home, but this is my home as well, now.
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