Over a year ago

Let it go
It’s been over a year ago that I returned from my journey around the world. In fact, I totally forgot the anniversary. Which is a good sign, I guess. The fact that I was just back in Melbourne, half way around the globe again, probably helped, and I forgot it. When I came back in March 2015, […] Read More

Renovation time

Let it go
Ok, it’s time to renovate the look of this blog! As the journey is over, and I won’t be posting much more on here, I’ll work on a new layout, making the different cities more accessible. So forgive if the site may look a bit weird in parts, I am working on adapting the posts […] Read More

Half a year

Let it go
I just realized that I am back for half a year now – a kind of a landmark. And I completely missed it. Maybe it’s a good sign. Or maybe I was too pre-occupied with the two-year landmark: it’s been two whole years that I left on this trip. I really can’t believe it. Every […] Read More

Adulthood

Let it go
I have a feeling like I’m growing up again, just faster. If the sabbatical and the trip around the world was like a huge time out to live as a kid, carefree, doing what I wanted, whenever and wherever I wanted, then coming back feels like a fast track to responsible adulthood. I always thought […] Read More

Three months later

Let it go
I’m back for three months. At the risk of repeating myself, I’ll keep updating the blog on how I feel, returning… People still ask me about it daily, and I am still really busy sorting out my feelings and memories. I guess this trip has been a life changer. Funnily, even though the preparations were […] Read More

Jeu de Balle

Let it go
One of my favorite spots on a Sunday in Brussels is the Jeu de Balle Square in the Marolles neighborhood. Ducking under the towering Palais de la Justice, in the lower part of town, the Marolles have always been a poorer, worker’s neighborhood, deemed somewhat unruly. It’s precisely for that reason that the Palace of […] 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