Antwerpen

Let it go
In the nearly 12 years that I lived in Brussels, somehow I never got my sister Sabine to discover Antwerp. Even though it is possibly one of my favorite places in Belgium. So we were set for a day trip to the city which is only some 40 kilometers from Brussels, due north, just before […] Read More

Flagey

Let it go
My sister Sabine’s job involves frequent trips to Brussels, so we always have at least lunch, or, if she can make it, add a weekend to one of her business trips. It was time she got to see my new place… Read More

To rent or to buy?

Let it go
Since I moved to Belgium in 2001, first as a student in a residence, then working here, I always rented. I shied away from buying, for several reasons: the thought of chaining me to a bank for decades, the thought of signing a contract, in legalistic, financial lawyer’s French I would not understand (I hardly understand […] Read More

City trips

Let it go
I was mailing with my friend Paul, whom I met in Tokyo, about the inevitable frustrations of coming back, being enclosed in an office, being in the same spot…. He answered in his kind way and proposed I organise maybe a few side trips, to have something to look forward to. This opened a window […] Read More

Lost/Clutter

Let it go
Eight weeks after moving back and starting to unpack, I am still missing things. Nothing vital, apparently, small things. I just wonder where the stuff went…? I have unpacked all boxes or looked them through and stored them again in the basement. Comic boos I don’t need, well packaged Madonna collection stuff, kitchen utensils I […] Read More

Lonesome

Let it go
It’s been eight weeks since I boarded my last plane from Buenos Aires. All in all, the return has been smooth, and everything went as planned, as far as the organization of it all is concerned. It could not have been smoother. Friends, colleagues and strangers ask how it is to be back, and if I […] Read More

Beyond English

Let it go
Some of my best friends in Santiago aren’t actually Chilean, but gringos. Americans who came to Chile to work for Beyond English, a social enterprise that teaches English in schools, but at the same time runs a number of community projects. Beyond English saw the need to democratize access to learn English in Chile and launched a pilot program in […] Read More

Meet the world

Let it go
I can retrace my journey on every map, or in my mind. But I can also retrace it with the people I have met along the way, the friends I have made. It is amazing to see how many people I have met, and how much they contributed to shape this journey. In the end, it […] Read More

Brussels street art

Let it go
People don’t really know much about Belgium. At best, it boils down to this: Atomium, Manneken Pis, chocolate, French (!) fries… and comics! Belgium has such a rich tradition of comics – its best known export would definitely be ‘The adventures of Tintin‘ by Hergé. However, there are numerous others like Lucky Luke, Gaston or […] Read More

Lost in codes

Let it go
As any frequent or excessive traveller, you just get used to the airport codes, at least for the cities you often travel to. Some are pretty obvious, like BRU, ZRH or SFO. But what about the more ominous acronyms, like SUX, SEX, BED, EAT, FAR and FAT? Lynn Fischer and Nick Crohn, who are running […] Read More

The men in grey

Let it go
  I am back at work. I usually go very casual. Some proper pants, maybe a jeans, then a shirt and some moderately colorful pullover over it. Banana Republic style. It usually works. Occasionally though I have to go in full fledged uniform. ‘Costume/cravatte’, as we say in French. The sight has become so rare that […] Read More