9 Trains+5 Buses+2 Airplanes+2 Taxis+2 Shuttles = Aspen's First International Trip

At 10 weeks old, Aspen gracefully (and with minimal tears) experienced her first airplane ride and her first trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. We took two trains, one bus, and one airplane to arrive in Amsterdam where we met up with my parents, who had just traveled 5,000 air miles from Denver, Colorado. We met at an airport hotel and I was so excited to introduce them to their first grandchild...it almost felt like I was a little girl looking forward to a long-awaited Christmas day. In no time at all, Aspen won the heart of my mom and turned my dad to absolute grandfather mush. It was so sweet to see.

The next day we bid farewell to superdad (a.k.a. superhusband), as he had an academic conference in Rotterdam, and we (my parents, Aspen, and I) made our way to our Brussels hotel via two trains and a taxi. I had a meeting in Brussels for my post as president of the Erasmus Mundus Association, so my parents graciously accepted this international babysitting gig. While I went to meetings, they proudly became baby wranglers. The last night in Brussels, Charlie and our friend from Georgia (who was at the academic conference with him) joined us.

The following morning, all six of us jumped in taxis and headed to the central train station to catch three (connecting) trains to Haarlem...our favorite, quaint, little village outside Amsterdam. We rented a house in the city center, cooked good meals, enjoyed each others company, and just hang out and relaxed. A family friend from our past paid us a visit. Corien was a Dutch exchange student who lived with our family when I was in high school. Her visit was lovely and we exchanged many fun memories as we ate a Sunday American brunch.

A bus took us back to Schiphol airport where we embarked on our next airline adventure to Finland. A memorable mishap occurred as we were descending from the friendly skies in Helsinki...the change in air pressure got the best of Aspen's bowels and next thing you knew mama and baby were soaked in poo. All we could was laugh (as the seat-belt sign was still on) and let Aspen know that this story will follow her for life.

Brussels!

Another Erasmus Mundus Alumni & Student Association meeting in Brussels means good beer, yummy waffles, Belgium chocolate, crispy fries, and a weekend with an amazing group of international friends. In addition to hanging with my Erasmus Mundus buddies and discussing the future of Erasmus Mundus, I also got to visit with my dear Flemish friend, Marijke, as she drove me to the Brussels airport. We managed to miss each other at the Grand-Place on Sunday, but then she swung by my hotel and picked me up just in time to drive me to the airport.

The Joy of Visitors...

The (delicious) gifts that our Flemish visitor left behind. Lucky us!!! Speculoos cookies and paste, Belgium chocolate, and the very special (and tasty) Jenever liquor. Thank you, Marijke, we will think of you every bite and sip we take...and every kilo (lb.) we gain (ha ha...)!

Workin' & Playin' in Brussels (Again!)

EMA Regional Chapter Representatives...action photo!

Leasa & Ali enjoying Brussels.

Another trip to Brussels--this time to represent the North American chapter of the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA). I was recently voted in as the President, so it is my duty to represent (rough gig, right?!) One of my dear friends, Ali from Brazil, was also in attendance and we had a ball hanging out, catching up, and engaging in EMA business. We talked about WHY we feel compelled to be apart of EMA and we discovered our answers were similar...our Masters degree experience gave us so much (an education, an international experience, and lifelong friends), that we feel it is important to "give back".

Yum, Belgium waffle!

So, there we were in Brussels giving back as we participated in three days of marathon meetings in the European Commission Madou building. At the end of each day we went back to the Thon hotel and treated ourselves to cold Belgium beers chilling in our mini-refrigerator, good cheese, Speculoos cookies, and Belgium chocolate (all of which was purchased at the local Carrefour supermarket one block away). Yep, sweet life--workin' hard and playin' hard!

Grand Place at night!

Grand Place Christmas light-music show.

The famous KWAK beer--LOVE IT!

Play hard! These EMA meetings are like the mini-UN during the day (serious discussions with an infusion of politics and intercultural communication dynamics). At night, however, everyone leaves the seriousness in the meeting room and an international festival comes to life as we all enjoy the Brussels nightlife together! This year we had the help of the Brussels Christmas market and incredible Christmas sound and light show at Grand Place. I visited the Christmas market with my Flemish friend, Marijke, in December 2009. But, this year the Christmas sound and light show was much more elaborate with beams of light shooting up from the center of the square and lights dancing to the sounds of classical music. Incredible!!! Now, this is a place you want to visit during the Christmas season. They even had real sheep in the nativity scene...okay, that was a little over-the-top for my likings, but they did really go all out. So, as we hopped from pub to dance club to waffle kiosk, always ending up back in the magnificent Grand Place to marvel at the lights, the architecture, and yes, the sheep too.

A late night waffle experience...with lots of laughter!

Atomium

The trip ended with a visit to the weird structure called the Atomium. This UFO-looking structure was designed in 1958 to symbolize the peaceful use of atomic energy. We rode the elevator to the top sphere and discovered that this is maybe the (only) reason to visit the Atomium--the views overlooking Brussels.

A Long Weekend in Brussels

Here is a sweet little video highlighting the "extended" portion of our trip to Brussels. Even though it was rainy, Charlie managed to drink some beer and the Nikon snapped some fun "jumping" photos in Grand Place.

As much as I do NOT enjoy beer (yes, you did read that correctly), I do enjoy drinking beer in Brussels. Perhaps it is the beer culture that seeps into my palette or maybe Belgium beer simply tastes good. Whatever it is...the Kwak beer is one of my favorites and the most fun to drink. But, beer is hard to pack in your suitcase, so you must find something else as a souvenir to bring back to expensive Finland...chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!

Workin' (and Playin') in Brussels...

A two-day meeting with fellow Erasmus Mundus students and alumni took me to the fabulous European city of Brussels. Yeah, I am still involved with the Erasmus Mundus Association (the association representing the students and alumni of the EU scholarship program that I participated in for my European Masters degree). This time the travel was much easier as I did not have a big ocean to cross and my super partner-in-crime, Charlie, accompanied me. While I was in meetings I have a sneaking suspicion that he was out enjoying the gluttonous nature of Brussels: good beer, great chocolate, and melt-in-your-mouth waffles. Oh well, the meetings were fun and highly productive, so no time wasted there. Plus, we did extend the trip by a few days to enjoy all that Brussels has to offer.

Travel Statistics: 23,609 miles (plus)...

Last year, I blogged about my travel stats after the 2010 Cape Town-European adventure and many of you said that it made for an interesting way to sum up two months of travel. So, here is another statistical summary! Taking the time to reflect back on my travels and experiences in a quantifiable manner is rather fun. Yep, I am a geek like that.

Here are my travel stats from this big trip:

(150) hours of grading papers and blue books (ugh!)

(53) days out of Athens, Georgia

(16) dropped Skype calls (with Charlie)

(7) weeks out of the motherland (U.S.)

(7) visits to the Schiphol Amsterdam international airport (how I love, thee)

(7) Airplanes= 22,559 miles
Atlanta to Amsterdam: 4,401 miles
Amsterdam to Cape Town: 5,997 miles
Cape Town to Amsterdam: 5,997 miles
Amsterdam to Budapest: 727 miles
Budapest to Amsterdam: 727 miles
Amsterdam to Chicago: 4,120 miles
Chicago to Atlanta: 590 miles

(4) Trains= 450 miles
Amsterdam to Sneek: 84 miles
Sneek to Amsterdam: 84 miles
Amsterdam to Brussels: 141
Brussels to Amsterdam: 141

(4) Countries: South Africa, Belgium, Hungary & Netherlands

(4) weeks of illin' (coughing, sore throat, congestion...ick!)

(3) Metro Systems: Budapest, Brussels & Chicago

(1) Bad-Ass Safari Truck: 600 miles
Garden Route, South Africa

(1) canceled airline reservation (FML!)

Brussels & Speculoos Paste!

Some of my dearest friends live a million of miles away, so when there is an opportunity to reunite we jump at the chance. I caught a train to Brussels (only 3 hours from Amsterdam) to meet up with some of my favorites. Brussels came with two special treats: Balpreet & Mary. Balpreet is my (Indian turned Parisian) adopted sister who lives in Chartres, France and took the train from Paris to meet in Brussels. I have also adopted Mary as my little sister, she is my former roommate in Finland and lives close to Brussels in the quaint village of Gent. It was a fun few days filled with gluttony…lots of storytelling, fries, waffles, beer, and laughs. Perhaps the funniest outing was our trip to the supermarket wherein I proceeded to look like a BIG tourist as I loaded up the basket with the famous "Lotus Speculoos" cookies (also known as the airline cookie that Delta airlines serves) and the controversial "Speculoos Paste" and of course let's not forget the Belgium chocolate. On the other hand, Preet bought the American favorite--Oreos. Too funny. So, if you are in the receiving line for European gifts, don't be surprised when I hand you a package of Speculoos cookies.

All in all, this trip to Brussels was the best way to conclude a mini-vacation in Europe, spending the last two days with some of my favorite people in the capital of Europe with Manneken Pis spreading his love (and urine) all over Brussels. Whenever we get together it is as if no time has passed, good times for sure.

Gluttony in Brussels: Chocolate, Glühwein, and Waffles!

I do love Brussels! And, this trip was a great way to spend my last weekend in Europe soaking up all the things I love about living here: public transportation, good food, good international conversation, and constant international stimulation. I met my Belgian friend, Marijke, for a night in the city centre where the Christmas markets brought the streets to life. The Grand Place, one of the stunning European squares named an UNESCO World Heritage Site, was all lit-up. The Town Hall was exceptionally spectacular as the lights changed colors with the fast-paced, hip music that the guest DJ spun. Over 200 wooden stalls decorated the streets as vendors sold handmade crafts, food, and drinks. It was a rainy evening, but we braved the wetness and enjoyed Glühwein (hot, mulled, spice wine), french fries, fried bread, and liquor. Oh, the gluttony of Brussels! The evening was a perfect chance to catch up with each other's life, as we had not seen each other for 1 1/2 years. That is what makes having international friends so bittersweet, you do not see each other for a long time and then when you see each other it is normally short and sweet. Before I knew it, the evening had come to an end and we did the typical Belgium farewell...a kiss on each side of the cheek and wished each other well.

EMA Meeting in Brussels: A table full of people from around the globe!

The European Commission has once again "hooked" me up with some free travel and international excitement. I was invited to represent the North American chapter of Erasmus Mundus alumni at an annual meeting in Brussels this past weekend. The meeting was for the Erasmus Mundus Student & Alumni Association (EMA) and we discussed everything from Chapter development to the goals and mission of the Association. Friday we met in the Madou Tower of the European Commission and I even had the pleasure of meeting the man, Vito Borrelli, a European Commission staff member who has been instrumental in the development of the Erasmus Mundus program. Here are a few moments to remember:

On Friday, I was in a packed elevator in the EC building and a European said, "The capacity says 16 people." Then, another European replied, "That means 16 Europeans and only 5 Americans." I tried to think of something witty on the spot and failed miserably as all I could muster up was a small laugh. Stereotypes are everywhere and unfortunately, there is some truth to this particular stereotype.

But, on a positive note as I was eating the delicious chocolate mousse at the Saturday dinner I looked around the dinner table and realized these are the moments I miss the most about living back in the U.S.: a table full of people from around the globe. I sat with my friends from Australia, Portugal, Pakistan, China, and Thailand. Dinner conversation just does not get any better than that!

Belgium Chocolate, Beer & Waffles!

Belgium is one of my favorite European countries. Besides eating and drinking my way through the ambrosial delights of chocolate, beer, waffles, and yes, even greasy fries, Belgium is a country that has always educated and greeted me with simple pleasures. (I remember my first trip to Europe in 1995, when our father introduced us to the 'naked' beaches of Belgium...now that was a sight. I think he enjoyed it more than we did. Luckily, our modest American culture identity kicked in and we were the only family wearing swimming suits on the beach that day.)

The passionate Belgium culture infuses a historical backdrop of beautiful architecture with a bit of contention between languages and identity (Flemish-Flanders vs. french-speakers-Brussels and Wallonia). There has been fiery discussions about splitting the country in two, but then Belgium just wouldn't have the split personality that makes it fascinating.

On this trip I visited my former roommate that I lived with in Finland, who is Flemish. Mary was the most gracious hostess and showed me the hot spots of her home town, Gent. Gent is a sweet little village and university town with a lived-in attitude without the hordes of tourists. While I was there the sun was high in the sky and the students were enjoying life in the parks, along the canals, and in the pubs. Mary took me to the town right outside Gent, where she grew up and visited her parents home. I needed to get my teeth cleaned, so we walked one block to a beautiful home where the local dentist lives. She opened the door to the most beautiful and serene dentist office I have ever seen. The equipment was sparkling and she was oh so gentle. After the chocolate moss was removed from my teeth, Mary asked, "Are you ready for chocolate?" And, we walked next door to her parents house where a local woman runs a chocolate shop attached to her home. Never before have I walked less than 100 steps to get my teeth cleaned and immediately grabbed for the sinful item that cakes my teeth with impurity: mouth-watering Belgium chocolate (see photo). It just doesn't get any better than that!

I took a day trip to the tourist-induced Bruges, a town with a small permanent population of 116,00. There is a reason over 3 million tourists flock to this lovely and historic village every year...it is a European gem with romantic canals, cobblestone streets, windmills (see photo), baroque-style churches, Gothic brick houses, outdoor cafes and horse carriages. I laced up my travelin' shoes and found my way through the quaint streets by foot, discovering little chocolate shops and stoppin' at a few cafes on nearly every corner. The sun was shining and my travelin' companion -NIKON- snapped away as I sipped on Leffe beers and devoured Belgium chocolate. Mary and Tom (see photo with Tom drinking Corona...too funny) picked me up and we drove to the sea for the sunset (see photo) and another delicious meal.

From Belgium to Oslo to Africa!

Belgium was GREAT! It was super sunny and my dear Flemish friend, Mary (Marijke), was kind enough to put me up for four evenings and show me the way of life in Gent, Belgium. It was truly a wonderful way to start this sojourn. Here are a few photos from one of my favorite countries in Europe, Belgium. More on that later...

I'm in Oslo for a quick overnight, re-pack, and tomorrow I'm wisked away on Norwegian Air for my next destination: Morocco, Africa. Back to Oslo on the 17th.

PHOTOS: Gent, the Quay (canal) by St Michielsburg cathedral (TOP), eating waffles (MIDDLE), eating french fries with Mary & Tom (BOTTOM).