Jun 25
This gallery contains 3 photos.
First off: most pics are either from Michelle or Joe since this dumb bunny accidentally disabled her iPhone. Long story short I forgot my passcode and freaked out to where I completely blocked up the phone. But, it led me to the coolest Apple store I’ve ever been to — seriously it exists. Carnegie Library […]
As is typical I’ve been busy with guests, work and fun day trips. In two weeks it’ll finally be School’s Out for Summer! I’m so looking forward to that. Our trip to China and Korea seems like forever ago, but it was just last month.
I promised a post on South Korea and Hong Kong, so here’s a quick snapshot of the fun we had.
Seoul and Hong Kong were our favourite places. In part because they’re just easier to navigate. There’s no strict visa process or censorship, there’s more English spoken, and our credit cards easily worked. Seoul was the friendliest, quirkiest city we visited. You’d think taking a tour to DMZ would be a somber event, but once you get over the barbed wire alongside the road (to keep North Korean soldiers from swimming in for an attack — a plan gone wrong for those swimmers) your bus pulls into, I shit you not, an amusement park. Our guide told us it was for the young children of families visiting the area to either mourn the loss of relatives or feel closer to loved ones still on the other side.
The tour we took included a stroll into an infiltration tunnel (you can’t take pics), which I was really excited about until a few minutes in I realised I was going to have to walk like a hunchback for too long a time. Um, those tunnels were not made for the tall folk. But, it’s all good because our exhausted selves got to be entertained by our singing tour guide.
Yep, we dodged mines listening to “Gangham style” and “I did it my way!’ It was so odd to be in such a serious, tense place (there are rules to follow and soldiers to do their thing) surrounded by so much touristy/silly things, but I think that might sum up Korea — mix in the fun with the serious.
We also got to go to a Korean baseball game (way fun and so much energy) and a Korean barbeque (yum yum!). And, yes, we got to use high tech toilets (the fan is oddly refreshing) and see K-pop fashion.
Hong Kong was oh so cosmopolitan and gorgeous. We had an amazing day touring their Big Buddha and surrounding areas. It was just stunning.
There’s so much more I could tell you, but I’m tired from a day at work, so the pics will have to tell the tale. We’re hoping to visit both Hong Kong and Seoul again and do more touring around. This trip was just a quick taste of what it was like, plus a chance to whoop it up with Jordy & Wilber and my buds based near (a few hours away) Hong Kong.
Before I close out, though, I do have to share some of the bizarre signs we saw. LOL definitely lost in translation (or not …)
But my favourite all time pic is this one from our last night in Korea.
What you don’t see is the metal pole with a latch on the top. This is on the 9th floor of our hotel near the elevator. Basically, if there’s a fire you’re supposed to hook yourself up to that rope, trust the metal pole and repel to safety. Um, I guess it’s first man first live; everyone else gets to jump.
Next up? Bonnie and Michael visit, and then we’re off to our summer travels. Oh and Dou Dou fest is also just around the corner — another week of mayhem and dragons.
We’re back into our real world again readjusting to our Belgian rhythm, and when I have more time this weekend I will tell you more about our trip. While stuck in the airport (no offence China, but we will do our best to avoid ever having to layover in Beijing again), I wrote up my list of things you should know before going to China. I’m sharing these bits to spare you from embarrassing moments like the one I had on our very hot, noisy, long, stiff-seated flight to China on a Chinese airline.
A parched me was overjoyed to see the flight attendant strolling the aisle with a tray full of water cups. “Yes please,” I croak, only to find out it was a steaming hot cup of water — no tea, no coffee, just scalding water. My crabby self didn’t edit or think when a little too loudly I blurted out “Why in the fuck would I want hot water?”
Turns out hot water with a slice of lemon is as common as ice water is to we Westerners. It’s what you’ll get at restaurants too (although Westerners should stick to bottled water because our bellies can’t handle what comes out of the tap).
Be careful of the ice too. A refreshing gin and tonic at a cafe bar in Beijing will not make (the next day) for a comfortable hike on the Great Wall —- trust me on this one.
Which didn’t stop me from posing — lol going by my hand placement I’m not entirely sure I’ve got it under control. LOL nor is Joe, but hey we’re smiling!
Spitting and sucking one’s teeth is common place; chewing gum is low class or something rude like that. Sitting next to men swishing spit between their teeth (or hacking it out on the sidewalk) was gross to me , but I’m sure there’s shit I did that they considered gross as well (eating with forks perhaps?). Culture is a finicky cat —- oh and it’s totally cool to wear a bubble backpack and shove your cat in it while you stroll the city. Don’t have a cat? Go to one of the many cat cafes (also popular in Seoul and Hong Kong). Cats are cool here!
And so are you! OMG if you’re tall, fat, light eyed, light haired or black you will be stared at. If you’re more than one of these things you will get pointed at. You will also have couples come up to you begging for a selfie. Others will still snap your picture, thinking you’re too high up to notice the camera is pointed your way. Joe and I are Chinese Social Media super stars. I’m sure there’s captions like “Look! You can put lipstick on a Godzilla,” or “Fee Fi Fo Fum he didn’t eat me.”
LOL even fat Buddha and his minions get stared at by standing Buddha…
If you book a hotel because you’re wowed by its pool pictures, do know that you will be expected to wear bathing caps while in that pool. If the pool man says, “you want new or borrowed?” go for new. We thought he meant disposable caps, but what we got were two wet bathing caps.
And yeah you look like this —- new wouldn’t have helped us on this one. Joe might divorce me for posting this pic.
Ladies work out your thighs. Squatty potties are real; toilet paper is not.
And food is racist…
Last but not least: Don’t be fooled by the adorable little old ladies hobbling near you. They will smack you on the bum or push you in the belly to get ahead. Turns out there’s old lady karma too because I accidentally pawed one in the face when she was trying to whiz past me going up the stairs to the Grand Buddha. I had no idea she was down there. I felt bad then, but by the time we got to our layover in Beijing I was so disgusted by being pushed and prodded. All I wanted to do was windmill my arms to take out as many as I could.
Crowds are everywhere … it can be pretty intense
I always do my best to respect another culture, and I get that my way of doing things is not THE way of doing things. But, I do not get what we experienced at the mosh pit of hell trying to board our plane. I also do not appreciate the dirty looks I got from some passengers on the crowded, loud plane —- especially considering that these same folk were half my size and took up twice as much space and would not stop moving and talking. So, yeah, I guess I’m still a little bitter about getting pushed.
Things we knew but also should be stressed: Google maps or translate will not work in China, nor will your social media. I downloaded WeChat so that I could communicate with my friends there. The language barrier is also as vast as the Great Wall. Traveling in China is not easy if you don’t know Mandarin.
If you leave the touristy areas make sure you have lots of cash on you because no matter how good your travel credit or debit card is it will not work in much of China. Luckily we had friends who picked up our tab more than once and booked all of our didi (their version of Uber) rides. We did not pull out enough cash, so shame on us for that one.
For Americans, the visa process can be complicated, BUT if you stay in Beijing for less than 72 hours (maybe it’s higher than that) and leave for another country (say Korea) and then pop back into Shanghai for less than 144 hours you will not need a visa. You can get a transfer visa at the airport, but don’t expect friendly agents (then again isn’t that common in most airports?).
But it is all worth it to see sights like this and experience a life different than ours.
We’re still glad we went, and so glad we caught up with friends. Spending time with our peeps, hiking the Great Wall (even with an angry digestive track), sipping champagne at the Hyatt rooftop bar in Shanghai, walking through the shopping village in Wuxi and spending the day at a Buddha park were all worth the inconvenience of being aliens in a place far from our own. And we also met many friendly, helpful locals who made us feel welcome in their land. So thank you China for sharing your corner of the planet with us for a few days.
Up next: Korea, Hong Kong and some of the oddities we met along the way.
Today is our last full day in Wuxi, China. We’ve been having a fantastic time. Last week we landed in Beijing and toured the Forbidden City and Great Wall and stayed at a wonderful hotel where we were spoiled. The Great Wall was so worth the long flight to China. It’s a must do if you can do it! Then we took off to spend some time with Jordan and Wilber in S. Korea, then took off for Shanghai and Wuxi. I don’t have much time to write because we’re off on another adventure in a few minutes.
Yesterday we went to a Buddha “amusement” park, The Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, which was such a nice surprise. The Buddha in itself is worth the trip, but there are garden trails and pagodas and other goodies throughout the park. And, of course, we’ve been feasting and sipping all sorts of goodies.
Including bubbly at the top of the Hyatt in Shanghai!
Okay, I’m rushed, so here’s your photo blast of some of the cool stuff we’ve gotten to see. I’ll write more and post later —- including a Seoul post.
Beijing shots ….
More Beijing — lol can you find Joe in the crowd? And loved the pool at our hotel. Below are Shanghai and Wuxi pics — including riding the subway. LOL the hanging handrails kept bopping us in the face. We also got to ride a bullet train, so that was fun. You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the madness of public transport when you can’t read, write or speak the language — or use google translate.
Oh, how I wish I could tell you more, but my crew is ready to get out and about. So, next time I pop in I’ll give you more story.
Shame on me for not posting most of February and all of March. Work and life have been busy (I know you’re tired of hearing that excuse, but it’s true). We’ve whooped it up around Belgium and Paris with friends who were visiting, we’ve gone to a few wine tastings and lots of dinners and local outings.
Same old, same old … but never dull! Even a trip to the flower market could turn into bubbly on the curb — especially when the sun is out!
The Grand Place is all decked out for Easter, including a big ferris wheel, which I’d like to post pics of, but I’m sure it’ll be down before I get to it. We’re leaving on Saturday for our big trip to Asia. I’m really excited about it. We begin in Beijing where we’ll see the Great Wall and Forbidden City, then we’re off to South Korea where we’ll whoop it up with Jordan and Wilbur and watch a Korean baseball game, imbibe at a Korean BBQ, do a DMZ tour and check out Seoul, then it’s off to Shanghai and then Hong Kong. Every stop except Beijing includes fun time with friends, some of whom I haven’t seen since moving away from the UAE. So, a busy, good time will be had.
Another thing I’m excited about is it’s Spring! Days are blessedly longer and work is winding down (I’m already planning away for next year). When we return from Spring Break, we have Game of Thrones parties, more friends visiting, weekend trips, Dou Dou fest (before that the Beer Fest!), more dinners and plenty of Grand Place adventures to look forward to. And then it’s time to fly back to the states for the summer where I’ll get to swim with the grand baby, my kids and friends. Let the warm days of fun begin!
And while I like this picture: Adieu to the long dark days of winter. LOL Winter is NOT coming here — until November.
I had a meltdown yesterday outside a clinic during a snow/rain storm, which really wasn’t a smart idea — who cries in the freezing rain?! This morning I woke to a sunny morning: walked the dog, then snuggled up with my favorite blankie and a cup of coffee on my favorite chair, and just inhaled the peace and quiet. I am once again happy to be alive and where I am in the world, but yesterday morning not so much.
Last week was one wave after another of highs and lows. Two teachers and I took 27 students to The Hague for its annual Model United Nations conference. It is an amazing experience for students; a complete drain on their teachers (but worth it when you see how much good it has to give our young). Basically each kid there has a role to play, and they do it for an entire week. Most of our kids were mock UN delegates for Peru or Armenia, two of them were also ambassadors for each country. We also had a chair and a press photographer. Our kids, who are already part of an international school setting (with primarily European and North American countries), got to work with kids from all over the globe including South Korea, Egypt, Oman, Zimbabwe, etc. etc. One of our kids was ecstatic he got to co-write a resolution with a Netherlands princess, the future queen — how cool is that? But, just as enlightening, was the ability to work with kids from countries where the threat of violence, starvation, humanity’s uglies are all too real (and in today’s uncertain times I guess that includes us all, but you know what I mean).
I cannot tell you how much it fed my soul to see teenagers on crowded trams and busses or at corner cafes lobbying/debating/co-writing resolutions with other teens, some of whom they just met that day. Like in the real world, their jobs did not end at 5 p.m. These kids were coming up with solutions to real-world issues — if only they could take the reigns away from some of their adult counterparts, we might not be in the sticky wickets we are in today (let me have my pollyanna moment).
During closing ceremony speeches one boy stated that he got to work with a young man from a rival country. He pointed to his committee teammate and said, “if war breaks out, I will not fight my brother.” Moments prior I saw the breaking news flash on my phone about nuclear treaty breaks.
How is it that I live in a world where teenagers are the more mature ones? And, I know it’s easier for them because they’re not in control of the real world. It is just words and practice, but why can our politicians/leaders/whatevers not see each other as brothers and sisters and find a better way to resolve conflict? I get it; life beats us up with real-world crap, but come on folks we can do this better. We can model what we preach to our kids.
So, why the waves you ask? Well, they are human teenagers and with that comes their drama (okay so maybe not so much different than adults), so we had a few mini crises to facilitate — none of which included drugs, alcohol or sex (thank God!). And, then sadly we had a big tragedy that affected us all. There was a death back ‘home.’ We teachers had to quickly become stand ins for their parents and grief counsellors until we could bring them home (all the while working with parents, counsellors and admins via technology). Families were told it was okay to come get their kids, but our students decided to finish off the week, so we all powered through, but it wasn’t easy. We also had two sick kids and one sick teacher (me).
My breakdown at the clinic happened because I just needed some antibiotics but because I never made the time to register at the health clinic on base they cannot help me until Monday when they can put me into the system. It’s totally my fault for not going there sooner. I’ve been here a year and a half — hello? bitch, get your affairs in order. I also could have gone to a local clinic (and friends offered to drive me), but I was so beat and the roads were tricky that I just didn’t have it in me. Caving in to my inner drama queen: I’d rather cry and be miserable, which is okay because Nurse Badger is keeping an eye on me — and honestly my thing is such a minor problem.
It’s all good, I’ll get it taken care of tomorrow. I’m still a very lucky woman because I do not get ill often, and when I do it’s nothing major. I also had two friends come over last night to enjoy Indian take out and much-needed talk and laughter. Life is good, even when it has its bad moments. And, Good God, our young will one day take over and hopefully put us on a better path.
Guess who got her first snow day? Whoop whoop! Badger and I joined friends for breakfast, then we walked the park and had fun watching the kids pummel each other with snowballs, came home, cleaned, sipped tea with Chris, and totally just enjoyed being alive and home on a cold, wet winter day.
It’s so beautiful, especially early morning. Now, that the day is almost over it’s slush and dirt snow.
Lol, that said, the dog isn’t a fan of the cold. To get his perspective click on his pic below. 
As usual, I’ve been busy with work and fun. Before Kyle and Kendra flew back to Arizona we got to see the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibit at the museum across the street from me and the weirdest performance (think fantasy characters on acid) at the Collegial. Both were a lovely way to end our time together, and I was melancholic when they left. I so miss spending regular time with my babies. I love this life of mine, but, well, you know, I want both worlds together.
Last weekend I spent in Amsterdam playing with friends. I finally got to visit the Moco museum, which I’ve been wanting to tour forever. I highly recommend.
Sorry, turns out I didn’t snap too many pics, but here are few Amstie goodies for you. Never a dull time there!
We also had our own Yellow Jacket protest here in Mons. Laura and I were walking Cupcake and Badger and ran right into their parade. We brought our dogs home to avoid the noise, and the protesters ended up walking right under my window. No violence, just noise.
It’s an interesting time to be aging. So much anger and disappointment among many. There’s a lot to be angry about. I hope/pray/dance/beg/whatever it takes for my species to figure its shit out. We have oh so much to be thankful for and in love with; may we remember that before we destroy it all. {this is what happens when I have a day off to also sip tea and reflect]
My man is in the states, returning here March 1. I’m not going to lie: I LOVE having time alone (don’t worry I also miss him and love our time together too). He’s catching up with friends and family while getting some of his stuff taken care of. He finally got to meet Kaylene’s baby, and never has he looked sexier to me than in this pic right here…
Torin says, “Badger you’ve got competition. I’ve got him wrapped too!”
Next week I’ll be at The Hague all week watching some of our students play out their roles in Model United Nations. It ought to be a great thing to witness — if teenagers only knew how much hope they feed me. Keep it up, kids.
Well, it’s getting dark and drafty in my apartment. Time to up the heat, light the candles, pour a hot bath and settle back into work-night mode. Before I know it, it’ll be time for summer vacation again, and I’ll be back to cackling with my kids and friends.
Here’s to our crazy pool time together, which will be here in a few blinks!
um, p.s., Snow Gods: I’m totally good if you want to give us another Snow Day. The pool can wait for that.
New Year’s Eve bubbly on Brussel’s Grand PlaceThis time next week Kyle and Kendra will be back in Arizona, Joe will be on a plane headed to Arizona (for a two month visit), and I will be busy at work. BUT, that’s next week. This week I’m still on holiday getting all snuggly with part of my family.
We’ve been busy living it up. We’ve done weekends in Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne and Brussels, along with showing off Mons and Brugge — including lots of good cheer with friends.
We’ve imbibed in a lot of goodness! And, the obligatory tourist shots!
We also got to witness a little bit of the Yellow Jacket ruckus in Paris. Our tour guide was more a fan of the protests than telling us interesting bits about the city, but it’s all good since it’s now part of our story.
The city was way less crowded than normal, and we saw the remnants of the violence that erupted prior to our visit, but we were lucky that no projectiles or fires took off where we were — just people chanting and parading for their something better.
We also got to celebrate Lorayne’s birthday sipping champagne at the top of the Eiffel tower, so our story is always more full of happiness than its antonym.
On New Year’s Eve we joined the party at the Atomium, which was fun until, well, it wasn’t, but that too turned out okay.
The aerial dancers, music and fireworks show was amazing — and free to enter! But, the trip home was insane. I love Belgium, and I get it has its kinks, but promising free public transportation after midnight (in Brussels) and then not planning on crowd control eeze a problame!
We got to the Tram station only to find a swarm of people like us trying to figure out where the damn line to get into the station was — instead it was just a mosh pit of hats and scarves pushing our way forward only to learn that the corner of the crowd we were in was ‘closed.’ Wtf did that even mean? Long story short we have no idea what was going on inside the tram station, only that our asses weren’t getting in. So, Kyle took over the GPS and we began the alleged 1.5 hour walk to our hotel. The goal was to hail a cab or jump on a bus or try out another metro station along the way. LOL, but every bus that passed us was so packed with people their faces were literally squished against the windows. They would have flipped us the bird — since we laughed at the insanity of it — but they were too packed in to be able to lift their hands. I wasn’t handling the whole thing very well and was really pissed, but then it started raining, and I just gave in to it because what can you do? Walk in, hopefully, the right direction, while packed taxis and busses pass you by — until Kyle managed to hail us our miracle cab.
So, we brought in 2019 with amazing fireworks, a bit of a “wtf do we do now” panic, then relief thanks to a stranger, and then, finally, oh thank God we’re home. That pretty much sums up our years, doesn’t it?
It’s all good because our story will always move forward, and that’s a great thing. Cheers to all of you and all that the new year will bring us!
And Auf Wiedersehen to the holiday season — we’ll catch you again in 11 months!
Me right now dancing around the airport because I’m finally en route to meet my grandson Torin the Terrible! Cannot flipping wait.
Work has been busy, busy, busy, but now I have my week off, all is well. I survived Homecoming week.
I’m the accidental junior sponsor this year, which meant overseeing a lunch, Homecoming nominations, the votes, and the big dance. It was a lot of work, but thanks to some awesome parents and kids it all went off without a hitch.
Things have been busy in Mons as well. The leaves are turning and the temps are finally cooling down. Just last week we were still in the 70s. Our backyard is all confused. The rose bush is still budding while the tree and ivy are turning color.
Pic not of my backyard, but of the ivy in a nearby park.
Mons is also gearing up for its 100th anniversary of the WW1 armistice. This poor city got hit hard during both world wars, and they take the ending of both wars seriously. The Grand Place has been rehearsing bits and pieces of its amazing light show that premiered last night. It’s the story of a young soldier and how the war affected Mons. It will air twice a night through Nov 11, and it’s quite moving. I’ll try to do a better job of portraying it again. For now here’s a few shots
The spot lights from our park and apartment are also pretty cool. Looks like we’re being invaded by aliens.
There’s plenty more I can share, but I’ve got to head on over to my gate and wait to board plane one of Oma’s wild ride to Torin. Next up? Baby pics!
We haven’t fallen into an abyss; we’ve just been busy, busy, busy. Before I fill you in on what we’ve been up to, let me photo blast you the latest addition to my family who is born on 8/18/18. He’s been raising hell and breaking hearts since the minute he became my daughter’s son. I get to hold the little cutie on October 27th. I cannot wait!
This child has no idea how much we’re all going to spoil him. Oh I soooo hope he and his parents can come visit this summer — oh and when he’s a little older, Christmas! Europe is so magical around Christmas time. Okay, it’s always magical, but uber lit in December.
Tickets are booked for Kyle and his girlfriend to visit during Christmas, so I’m also excited about that.
We’ve been busy with visitors actually. In August we had too much fun with Jordan, in September Joe’s friend Brian came for a week and those two had a great time touring Normandy, and then last week my friend Marna popped in for a few days.
Showing off Belgium to visiting friends: beer, waffles, Brugge, outdoor markets, Mons Tanks in Town and the Belfry.
We’ve also been whooping it up with our friends in Belgium as well. There’s just so much going on this time of year. We checked out the flower carpet in Brussels, had too many laughs doing a pub crawl in Brussels, had quite a few Grand Place days, and were mesmerised at the Fire Symphonie in Viller’s Abbaye. Baroque music and acts in the abby ruins, lit up only by candles and fire. It was truly amazing. I hope they do it again next year.
LOL my crazy peeps tailgating before the big event. My pictures don’t do the symphony justice. The musicians, the dancers, the fire acrobatics, lol and the horse act all on a brisk night amidst the ruins of our past. Villers Abbey is one of my favorite places to go near Brussels. We’re signing up for more of their experiences!
A bizarre in Germany, the shopping street in Mons and the flower carpet in Brussels.
There’s so much more to share, but I can’t think of it all. Living in Belgium is such a treat for us. I know there will come a day when we have to leave here, but for now we’re inhaling it all as much as we can. There’s pretty much a festival or some sort of fun event going on every weekend until after Christmas. Then we’ll have the dark, cold days of January and February to snuggle up at home, and then before you know it Spring kicks in, and we’re back outdoors whooping it up.
Work has been super busy, so this weekend we decided to just chill in Mons, and lo and behold there was a pumpkin festival…
Camembert with pumpkin and flowers, and those birds and flowers are carved squash and pumpkins! Yum yum.
While sitting at our favourite cafe pub Excelsior, this happened! I wish I could tell you who the fur men shaking bells were, but all I know is when they finished performing the masks came off, fur stayed on, and they found their spot in the Grand Place and drank beer with the rest of us. This is Mons: Past and Present; Paganism and Christianity all meld together and enjoy a good beer when the sun is out (which has been quite a lot actually)!
I’m slammed at work the next few weeks, and then I’m off to visit the grand baby, but I’ll try to post more frequently again. And, Badger is ticked at me for not putting the woof in his blog, so I’ll work on that soon as well. Until then Happy Autumn!
bettina without borders 