LH511

Let it go
We left relatively on time, at around 19h30, and the flight was more or less smooth. Somehow, again, my veggie order was forgotten – but they had yummy pasta, so I was happy (the veggie pasta is often way better than the vegetarian meal, which often is chickpeas….) and the crew was really great. Anyway, it […] Read More

Final flights

Let it go
This is it, I am about to board my last final flights, from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt and on to Brussels. Due to the strike, my departure is delayed by two hours, but I’m glad they could re-schedule the flight with only this minimal delay. I will miss my initial flight into Brussels, but have already […] Read More

Looking forward to…

Let it go
… thé a la mente and the veggie lasagna in Café Fontainas … my 1h45m signature massage with Tom at Jari Menari … the handmade Chinese noodles at Au bon bol … a sunday morning at Café Belga with my newspaper … a summer night with beers outside of Belgica … lunch breaks with friends … […] Read More

Meanwhile, in Brussels…

Let it go
… Sven has arranged for my move! It happened today, and my 48 boxes, suitcases, kitchen table, CD racks, pictures and frames were moved quietly out of his garage and into my new apartment in rue de Londres. When I arrive on Monday, I’ll get the keys, and my things will be in my new […] Read More

Ready or not?

Let it go
As every day, I read Spiegel Online, my main source of information and connection to home. One article talked about yet another round of strikes at Lufthansa, Germany’s biggest carrier, and, incidentally, my ticket home. The pilots’ union announced another strike day for Saturday, 21st, concerning all long-haul flights. Uff, I though, thank God, not […] Read More

Changes

Let it go
Continuing to be introspective on this cloudy day, I have thought a lot about what I have learned on this trip (blog post writing in progress), but also what has changed. As said yesterday, I can’t really tell. I’m still me. It might be friends who may or may not realize a change, once I am back […] Read More

Countdown to Brussels

Let it go
There is not much going on, and I’m in a pensive mood. I hang out by the pool, swim at the gym (makes me think, quiet under water), avoid the daytime heat in Buenos Aires… And the end of the journey is so close, so I start to reflect a lot… I have no idea how […] Read More

Descent into Brussels

Let it go
I needed some time to recover from the Thursday night drinking binge. I slept in on Friday, till early afternoon, and then just hung around the house, cleaning a few things, bringing the laundry to the washing service…. then having a tea on a terrace. It was a beautiful, warm day, but I really needed […] Read More

Back to work

Let it go
And, fitting to my walk into Bohemian Melbourne life yesterday, I today got the news that I’ll have a new job, as of 1st of April. I will be joining my old unit in the European Economic and Social Committee, that deals with relations with NGO’s, associations, trade unions, interest groups etc… I first did […] Read More

Real life encroaching

Let it go
It feels like my real life – Brussels, work, money, apartments, pensions, insurances – is encroaching on me bit by bit, every day. I’m in touch with HR every couple of days on job possibilities, write emails to former colleagues… And today I finally received an email from the Belgian pension scheme on the transfer […] Read More

Rue de Londres

Let it go
With only a bit over seven weeks left on this trip, before I’ll board flight LH511 from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt, it is high time to start thinking about practicalities of return. I’ll land in Brussels on March 23rd in the afternoon. Where do I go, where do I sleep the first few weeks….? I […] Read More