My week in Belgium has been fast, busy and pretty great. It feels like I’ve been here way longer or like I never left!
I never expected this, but the weather is so good. During the day it’s sunny and 28 degrees – can you imagine, coming from 0 degrees at night in New Zealand? I especially adore the long days! I wake up every day at 6.30am (jetlag?), see the light through the curtains and think it’s 9am. It feels like I’m tricking the world, by flying from a NZ winter into a Belgian summer.
You know it’s been a long time when you are looking up restaurants in your home city. That’s right, I am booking a dinner with some girlfriends next week in… Belgium! I’m visiting Belgium!
And I have no idea what’s still there, what’s cosy and delicious. It’s a very weird feeling, as I used to know the newest spots in town. Now I need to rely on Google..
When the news of the terrorist bombings in Belgium reached me I was filled with unbelief and then I got very angry. Which #@é&&!# dared to mess with my people at home, with my small beautiful country. There has been a lot of bombings lately, in Paris, Istanbul, Pakistan, Tunisia, but you never get used to it. Every time again I grieved. For humanity. But when I heard about the terrorist attacks in my home country it just hit me right in the heart.
I’m writing these words from a sunny café in Christchurch, New Zealand. This week I went indoor climbing, rock climbing and to the ballet. Tomorrow I’m going canyoning. I tell to myself, life is pretty good.
I can’t believe how fast time flies. One year and a half ago I quit my job to travel. Bye vtm– newsroom, bye family and friends and bye good life. I’m ready for an even better life. Looking back on all those things I’ve done I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I challenged myself to go travelling alone, I met great people, did crazy stuff and saw beautiful things. Of course there are lonely and sad moments, but after a while you’re not afraid of those anymore and they only make you stronger.
No, me and my boyfriend didn’t have a motorbike accident. We arrived safe and sound in Rome after some time in the mountains.
I’m taking off again.. After a month of ‘Belgiumness’ it is time for my new adventure.
Tomorrow I fly to France, to start a trip with my boyfriend and his motorbike. I didn’t share this on the blog before, but that (French) guy is one of the many beautiful things New Zealand was hiding – one I discovered. I will save you all the cheesy details.
So yes, I am back in Belgium… It’s been almost two weeks now. And it feels weird!
My first days were amazing, seeing my family and friends again. A nice brunch at my brothers place with my brand new nephew, a big BBQ the day after with the rest of my family, drinks and food with my girls, a bachelor party for one of my girlfriends that’s getting married, and so on. Moments of happiness!
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