I hate lumping so many days together, but I’ve been busy and am getting behind in posting. Friday started with meeting Thomas and his coworkers in Mons after work for a beer. I rode the train to Mons, which included taking a tram, then the Metro, and then the train — not a short trip for days when Thomas doesn’t drive to work.
Waiting at Gare Midi for Train to Mons
I’ve got a couple more photos from this trip on Flickr:
- Train to Mons (5 photos)
On Saturday, we headed to Tervuren and the Central African Museum, as I had mentioned in the last post. While we were there, we spotted two Mandarin ducks, which have very unique colorful plummage. I had never seen one before.
Mandarin Duck
I’ve posted the rest of the photos on Flickr:
- Tervuren Park (36 photos)
Afterward, we headed to downtown Brussels to pick up some things we needed – electronics converters and a totebag/purse. I learned that shopping sales are only allowed twice a year – in January and I think July.
Downtown Brussels on a Moonlit Night
Sunday morning, we met up with the Brussels Brunch Meetup group and had a great time chatting with other expats.I plan to meet up with this group again. We met at an American-style diner and got some great advice on apartment shopping. We’ll be searching with our relo company Tuesday and Wednesday.
American-style Diner
Afterward, we planned on going to the Rene Magritte museum with another meetup group, but on our way there, we were detoured by a protest. Excited by our first protest, we skipped the museum and went to take photos. About 45,000 people were protesting the Israel invasion in Gaza. Despite the big crowd, it was peaceful and I felt safe the whole time, but it was very interesting to watch.
Protest Against Israeli Invasion in Gaza
I’ve posted photos and videos online:
- Protest Against Israel Invasion in Gaza (23 photos)
- Protest Videos on YouTube (first 4 on page)
Today, I toured the American Women’s Clubhouse. They have a huge facility with lots of opportunities to meet otherAmerican women living around Brussels. And the next two days will be apartment hunting with our relocation company. Other than that, all is well. The snow has finally started to melt, though I think I prefer it to rain. How are you doing?
P.S. Thomas has posted a very similar (we were at the same events) entry on his blog with more photos.
P.P.S. I think I forgot to post the rest of these photos from our first couple of days here – First Two Days in Brussels (11 photos)
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I have to tell that I follow your blog from time to time. I am friends with maeglin73 and I am sooo jealous of all the adventures that yall are getting to experience. I was stationed in Japan about ten yrs ago and some of your pics remind me of that time…lol not the protests though. Thanks for sharing them.
So sorry I didn’t warn you about the protest. Now that you are a member of the AWC, you will get bulletins from the Ambassador about the date of protests, their importance and how dangerous they might be. The best one was when truck loads of fish were dropped on the steps of the European Commerce building and stopped traffic for days!
Could I convince you to go to a Troc next week?
Oh wow! What a pretty duck! I bet it’s tasty!
Auryn´s last blog post..Guitar Hero with a Real Guitar!
I’ve been catching up on you. Wow. You are really getting out there! WOnderful. I saw the word salsa dance in one of your posts. Do you also salsa?
Such beautiful photos, Dallas. Looks like you’re seeing so much!
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THESE? Beautiful! That duck shot just has me staring at it – it’s so vibrant and crisp.
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Wow you are amazing..
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checked out your website while searching fabric postcards and WoW your first postcard looks like you’ve been making them forever. With mine you can tell that i’m just beginning.
You are a very talented young lady.