Oui c'est moi!!!!!! Sunday afternoon rolled around and my stint at my first host family was done and on to the one where I would be staying for the rest of my time here in Belgium. I was picked up by M. Laurent and his five-year old son, Lois who promptly informed me that he didn't speak English and that therefore I should speak en francais. I arrived at Rue de l'Orient, to what used to be the Peruvian embassy and that is where I find myself now typing this blog. My host family is comprised of the aforementioned host dad (Jean) his partner Milena (who is Italian in origin) and there two boys Lois and Cyril.
Everyone is really nice and the best and worst part of the house is that the metro is a 15 minute walk away... so I feel very justified in eating Belgian chocolate!!!!!! Although I managed to get myself lost this morning on the way to school and on the way back, the people here are very friendly and helped me find my way AND I'm near the European Parliament, Council of Ministers, and European Commission.
I hope that once all the orientation ends and classes begin I'll have a chance to get into a more regular schedule but for now.... c'est ma vie en Belgique!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Bienvenue a la Belgique
After an eight hour flight to London, a four hour layover in Heathrow airport (when Victoria found me and we chatted for a but) and the subsequent hour flight, I finally arrived to Brussels! I made my way though a crowed baggage claim and was able to retrieve my luggage sans probleme which is always a marvelous sign. Next, I acquired a taxi which took me to my hotel but before arriving I saw my first sites of the city in which I will be living for the next several months. Although there was plenty of traffic (even here they cannot avoid rush hour) I found the commute to be enjoyable as I took in the historic buildings and young and old walking along the streets to get to there destinations. Once at my hotel, I waited for Victoria and we made our way through the Grand Place and into a little restaurant with very affordable prices for dinner. Later I was able to contact the US and then bedtime!!!It was a good end to a very long day.
The next day, Victoria and I again ventured out into the Grand Place but had very little luck working the metro system and decided to wait for instruction by our professor. We had lunch and at 17:00 (or 5pm lol) met the rest of the EU in action enclave group. Brief orientation was followed by a typical Belgian dinner and then my first time at a bar....it was quite interesting. For although smoking is technically banned no one seems to pay any attention to this and the streets and bars were full of not only Belgians but tourists making there way to a good hang out place for the night.
The next morning bright and early we headed to the Grand Place yet again for an official tour by Professor Sheridan (pictures will be posted soon!) Perhaps the most famous thing we saw was the little peeing boy fountain. It was much fun. We later headed to the Universite Catholique de Louvain where AU Brussels Center is located and had our first orientation about our host families. It was here that I was informed that I would not be going home with my family right away because they are out of town but with Victoria and her host family. I am currently in Victoria's host family's house awaiting until 18:00 to meet my host family... once I arrive there I will post more.
The next day, Victoria and I again ventured out into the Grand Place but had very little luck working the metro system and decided to wait for instruction by our professor. We had lunch and at 17:00 (or 5pm lol) met the rest of the EU in action enclave group. Brief orientation was followed by a typical Belgian dinner and then my first time at a bar....it was quite interesting. For although smoking is technically banned no one seems to pay any attention to this and the streets and bars were full of not only Belgians but tourists making there way to a good hang out place for the night.
The next morning bright and early we headed to the Grand Place yet again for an official tour by Professor Sheridan (pictures will be posted soon!) Perhaps the most famous thing we saw was the little peeing boy fountain. It was much fun. We later headed to the Universite Catholique de Louvain where AU Brussels Center is located and had our first orientation about our host families. It was here that I was informed that I would not be going home with my family right away because they are out of town but with Victoria and her host family. I am currently in Victoria's host family's house awaiting until 18:00 to meet my host family... once I arrive there I will post more.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
gah!!! the night before departure
So thanks to hard work, a long application process, and much panic I am sitting here typing this blog instead of packing before my flight which leaves in 22 hours. I can;t stay it's hit me yet.... but it will when I'm on the plane tomorrow and freaking out because I not back in sunny Miami or in DC prepping to trek to Ward or the library for work. Language barriers, host families and class/internship aside, I have to admit I'm excited for this adventure. I know I'll be signing with my host family while my French slowly trickles back in and the usual homesickness will kick in but of the dozens of students I've spoken too, those who didn't do study abroad wished they'd had and those who did wish they could do it again... so here we go!!!!!!! boone chance à tous
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