Our son began Belgian Kindgarten on Monday, it's their equivalent of pre-school. He was ready to go to school in the morning, he let me wash his face and brush his teeth without all the theatrics that usually go along with those tasks. He even let me spike his hair! No problems going into class, he was ready to play and meet new friends.
When I went to pick him up, he was playing just fine. We got his lunchbox and backpack and left for the day. I asked him how his day was. He told me, "It was bad. The teacher messed up my hair." OK, I'll ask something else. "How was everything else? Did you get to play outside?" "No, I didn't." "Tell me something good about school today." "The teacher messed up my hair and I don't speak French." Well, gee, that is a problem, I thought. I figured that school would finally be the time and place that he realized that no everyone spoke the same language as he does, as we do. Both my husband and I have talked to him about this. When we're in the store, or on the train and he starts talking to random people and kids, and they just look at him and us. They're not understanding. He hasn't picked up on that, until school.
Today was the second day of school, and it went better. He told me that he doesn't speak French, but that's ok for now. He also had gymnastics today. That was a big hit. Now, if only the teacher could stay on her schedule and get them outside for recess, he might be a happier boy.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Giants of Ath
Today we went to the parade in Ath for their Festival of Giants. http://www.shape2day.com/giants.aspx The region of Belgium that we live in has some great Giant folklore, and their multi-day festival celebrates it. We went for the parade today, that is more secular. There is also a religious one in the afternoon and there was the fight of David and Goliath yesterday.
Ath is very close to us, and we figured that this would be a family friendly environment compared to some other festivals that are more popular with the high school/college/young soldier crowd. It was just spectacular. It "started" about 15 minutes late, and took quite a long time. There were about 8 giants in the parade, each had a float accompanying it and its own band. Not a huge parade by any stretch, but not in a hurry either. We were there for almost 2.5 hours and walked to the end of the parade route so we could see the end of it. The last giant was a horse, probably 15 feet at its back, and 4 young kids, kindergarten age, were riding atop of it, as it spun around and danced. So awesome. That was the best part of the parade, that and all the cute elderly people in the bands.
I was amazed at the bands, ages ranging from 5-85 and many marching in wooden shoes. One band was made up entirely of people over 65 at the youngest. They were great. They played many songs that the crowd knew, and one that we did, Roll Out the Barrel. Everyone was having a great time listening to them, and even though the parade route was slow, they looked like they were enjoying themselves as well. A few of the bands had young kids playing, it had to be a very long day for them, carrying around their instruments. They looked much more exhausted than their 80 year old counterparts.
After we walked to the end to see the last of the parade, we went in search of where the fabulous smells were coming from. For an hour or so, we were smelling grilled sausages or onions or something wonderful. My fear, since we've been here, is eating horse. That was in my mind as we went looking for the smells, "Please don't let it be cheval." Nope, plain old sausage, with grilled onions and sauerkraut. The meat is good, but then they serve it in these great buns, almost like a baguette. The ketchup is also spectacular, like real squeezed tomatoes. None of the artificial taste like ours. Of course, what would any gather of Belgians be without beer? Actually, I will probably fall down in amazement if we ever go to any Belgian anything without beer. It's the beverage you have with lunch and dinner, of course you have to have it at a parade at 10:00am on a Sunday.
The Festival of Giants d'Ath was amazing. I will gladly go again next year, unless it interferes with the other huge festival in the area, Tanks in Town. THAT will be a MUST next year. Dad and Son want to ride on the tanks!
Ath is very close to us, and we figured that this would be a family friendly environment compared to some other festivals that are more popular with the high school/college/young soldier crowd. It was just spectacular. It "started" about 15 minutes late, and took quite a long time. There were about 8 giants in the parade, each had a float accompanying it and its own band. Not a huge parade by any stretch, but not in a hurry either. We were there for almost 2.5 hours and walked to the end of the parade route so we could see the end of it. The last giant was a horse, probably 15 feet at its back, and 4 young kids, kindergarten age, were riding atop of it, as it spun around and danced. So awesome. That was the best part of the parade, that and all the cute elderly people in the bands.
I was amazed at the bands, ages ranging from 5-85 and many marching in wooden shoes. One band was made up entirely of people over 65 at the youngest. They were great. They played many songs that the crowd knew, and one that we did, Roll Out the Barrel. Everyone was having a great time listening to them, and even though the parade route was slow, they looked like they were enjoying themselves as well. A few of the bands had young kids playing, it had to be a very long day for them, carrying around their instruments. They looked much more exhausted than their 80 year old counterparts.
After we walked to the end to see the last of the parade, we went in search of where the fabulous smells were coming from. For an hour or so, we were smelling grilled sausages or onions or something wonderful. My fear, since we've been here, is eating horse. That was in my mind as we went looking for the smells, "Please don't let it be cheval." Nope, plain old sausage, with grilled onions and sauerkraut. The meat is good, but then they serve it in these great buns, almost like a baguette. The ketchup is also spectacular, like real squeezed tomatoes. None of the artificial taste like ours. Of course, what would any gather of Belgians be without beer? Actually, I will probably fall down in amazement if we ever go to any Belgian anything without beer. It's the beverage you have with lunch and dinner, of course you have to have it at a parade at 10:00am on a Sunday.
The Festival of Giants d'Ath was amazing. I will gladly go again next year, unless it interferes with the other huge festival in the area, Tanks in Town. THAT will be a MUST next year. Dad and Son want to ride on the tanks!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
School Begins Monday
My son, who turned 3 in March, begins Belgian Kindergarten (their pre-school and kindergarten are all under the same title) on Monday. He has been out of a routine and structured learning environment since December 17th and he is a kid that thrives on structure. We went this past Friday to meet his teacher, Madame Sonia, who speaks just a little English. He'll be in a mixed language classroom, as far as his peers go, and the teacher will speak French. I have no qualms putting him into a foreign language classroom. One, its my only choice besides homeschooling, which will never happen. And two, at his age, he will soak up the language like a sponge. After three years in school here, he'll be as fluent as a French speaking student of similar age. Also, European teachers in general, are stricter than their American counterparts. School can be fun, but they are there to learn first. They have rules and are expected to follow them. Teachers aren't nervous to hold students accountable for their actions here, because the culture isn't sue happy or enabling of children. If all goes well, he'll do his two years of pre-k here, then kindergarten also. I can send him to American Kindergarten when he turns 5, but if he's doing well in the system, I see no use to switch him over. Those decisions will come in time, but for now, we are very ready for him to start his new adventure in Belgian Kindergarten.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Being a Part of Something
Tonight was my second night of SHAPE International Choir practice. We are currently practicing a few songs that we will sing at SHAPEfest for the 9-11 and Battle of Britain memorial service. Last week, several of us were new and relations were hesitant, halting. Tonight was great. People were mingling and talking between songs and break, it was so nice. The cute old British man even gave my shoulders a squeeze. We even were giving the director a hard time over his choices for music. All religious and really, really difficult.
There are a few British singers, a Canadian pianist and the rest of us are Americans. We are 17 strong so far, but our fearless leader says that there are 34 people that have signed to be a part of the group. Maybe once Christmas rolls around, the carolers will want to join too.
I was really looking forward to tonight because it's something I can belong to, be a part of. I haven't been in a choir for 18 years, and neither have slot of the other singers. Some of us can read music, some of us just hold it to look at the lyrics. Either way, we are all a part of something and enjoying it.
There are a few British singers, a Canadian pianist and the rest of us are Americans. We are 17 strong so far, but our fearless leader says that there are 34 people that have signed to be a part of the group. Maybe once Christmas rolls around, the carolers will want to join too.
I was really looking forward to tonight because it's something I can belong to, be a part of. I haven't been in a choir for 18 years, and neither have slot of the other singers. Some of us can read music, some of us just hold it to look at the lyrics. Either way, we are all a part of something and enjoying it.
Monday, August 22, 2011
WHOA! Now, that's a storm!
While it is rare to have a thunderstorm in Belgium, we had one last night. It made the little cloud burst last week look like a sprinkle.
It rained almost all day yesterday, which, sadly, isn't rare. It cleared off pretty well for my son and I to take a stroller jog up to the closest park. We both needed outside and I needed the exercise. We get all the way to the park, a little over a mile, and turned the stroller around to get in the entrance. I don't know how I didn't notice the darkness when we left the house, but I did. Even my son noticed how dark is was and told me it was going to rain. His stroller has a rain guard on it, so he was going to be fine, I'd be the one getting drenched. I told him that we'd play for a little bit, then we'd have to go. HE cut the playtime short, getting back into his stroller and told me it was time to get going home. We got home just in time for it to start dumping rain. But we were home and it was only rain, no thunder, no wind.
It continued to rain into the night and even started to thunder and lightning a bit around 2300. Just a little thunder shower. THEN, at about 0300 the storm blew in. We both woke up hearing the wind pick up and the rain start blasting our huge windows. There was a strike of lightning that was so close, I was afraid it hit my beloved neighbor cow, Marie, or one of our trees. It was that close. YIKES! Woke my son up, which is saying something. Then the rain came harder, it sounded like hail on our ceiling window. It let up after an hour or so, but it was strong! I was able to transplant our son back into his bed after that hour and he slept for a short time longer.
The rain and thunder continue this morning, though it looks like it is going to break up for awhile. We have play plans at the indoor playground at the zoo, so we won't be stuck inside today. The rain has left me with greener, longer grass and a bunch of sticks to pick up of the cursed pear tree. But, since those storms are so rare, we might not see another boomer like that for awhile. (which is good, because I hate my sleep being interrupted for any reason)
It rained almost all day yesterday, which, sadly, isn't rare. It cleared off pretty well for my son and I to take a stroller jog up to the closest park. We both needed outside and I needed the exercise. We get all the way to the park, a little over a mile, and turned the stroller around to get in the entrance. I don't know how I didn't notice the darkness when we left the house, but I did. Even my son noticed how dark is was and told me it was going to rain. His stroller has a rain guard on it, so he was going to be fine, I'd be the one getting drenched. I told him that we'd play for a little bit, then we'd have to go. HE cut the playtime short, getting back into his stroller and told me it was time to get going home. We got home just in time for it to start dumping rain. But we were home and it was only rain, no thunder, no wind.
It continued to rain into the night and even started to thunder and lightning a bit around 2300. Just a little thunder shower. THEN, at about 0300 the storm blew in. We both woke up hearing the wind pick up and the rain start blasting our huge windows. There was a strike of lightning that was so close, I was afraid it hit my beloved neighbor cow, Marie, or one of our trees. It was that close. YIKES! Woke my son up, which is saying something. Then the rain came harder, it sounded like hail on our ceiling window. It let up after an hour or so, but it was strong! I was able to transplant our son back into his bed after that hour and he slept for a short time longer.
The rain and thunder continue this morning, though it looks like it is going to break up for awhile. We have play plans at the indoor playground at the zoo, so we won't be stuck inside today. The rain has left me with greener, longer grass and a bunch of sticks to pick up of the cursed pear tree. But, since those storms are so rare, we might not see another boomer like that for awhile. (which is good, because I hate my sleep being interrupted for any reason)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Electric Poop
We've smelled some horrible, strong smells since here in Belgium. The landscape is very similar to Nebraska/Iowa, so we knew the smell, at first. It was farm smells, manure to be exact. And my son was more than quick to point it out at every chance he got. "I mell tumting. I mell cow poop." It was funny at first, then got to be old, the 100th time we left the confines of the lodge or our house.
Since we've moved to our house and are surrounded by fields of potatoes and sugar beets, we've noticed that every once in awhile, the smell is VERY strong and VERY close. Then we hear the tractor, or tune in to the tractor sounds behind the house instead of rumbling down our poorly paved country road in front of the house. Those tractors are often spraying the fields with what we've come to call "electric poop." I don't know if they mix it with something before hand, let it ferment in a dung heap until it liquefies, or what the process is, but the result is the most noisome stench that I've encountered since the hog confinements in Atkinson, NE. Awful. Eye-watering. Really, really bad "mell."
The good thing about this is, that as soon as the farmer is done watering his fields with the liquid poo, the smell dissipates. Thank God! We've been lucky too, that most of the time the wind is in our favor. I can't imagine the little particles of encapsulated stink blowing into my unscreened windows. I pray it never happens!
Since we've moved to our house and are surrounded by fields of potatoes and sugar beets, we've noticed that every once in awhile, the smell is VERY strong and VERY close. Then we hear the tractor, or tune in to the tractor sounds behind the house instead of rumbling down our poorly paved country road in front of the house. Those tractors are often spraying the fields with what we've come to call "electric poop." I don't know if they mix it with something before hand, let it ferment in a dung heap until it liquefies, or what the process is, but the result is the most noisome stench that I've encountered since the hog confinements in Atkinson, NE. Awful. Eye-watering. Really, really bad "mell."
The good thing about this is, that as soon as the farmer is done watering his fields with the liquid poo, the smell dissipates. Thank God! We've been lucky too, that most of the time the wind is in our favor. I can't imagine the little particles of encapsulated stink blowing into my unscreened windows. I pray it never happens!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
There might be a "thunderstorm" STOP EVERYTHING
It rains here in Belgium, but rarely storms. Today, it did. It was on the AFN radio station, "Wind, Hail, Heavy Rains. Get home and put your car in the garage if you have one!" That would be just another summer day in Nebraska/Texas/Georgia. Not here. Big Deal!
Now, it did rain, quite a gully washer. There is rain in the street and some leaves in the road. No hail, some good winds and heavy rain. If this is as bad as summer weather gets here, I'll be fine.
Winter, however, might be a different story, since I've been lucky enough to not have to endure snow and ice for some time now.....
Now, it did rain, quite a gully washer. There is rain in the street and some leaves in the road. No hail, some good winds and heavy rain. If this is as bad as summer weather gets here, I'll be fine.
Winter, however, might be a different story, since I've been lucky enough to not have to endure snow and ice for some time now.....
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Trail Ride
As I've written before, Belgians love to be outside and have many trails crossing the country. Today, I decided that I'd try one that was for either biking or hiking (rambling). I rode out on the "highway" for a few miles before I got to the trail. From the direction that the trail started, it looked like it would take me back toward home, AND it was really well used. It was labeled 3.1km, easy peasy. Well, the first kilometer was, then it went to grass, where I was riding right alongside the combine as he was harvesting the wheat field. Hey, he gave me a little wave. In hindsight, he was probably waving at me to turn around. After the grass and the combine came the really bumpy tractor path, complete with mud puddles big enough to lose half my tire. Hey, no problem, I can ride through mud, not biggie. In my head, I'm thinking that there's no way that I'm still on the path, I didn't really see where it could have veered off, but this can't be it. After another .5km, I hit a road, only to get run off of it by a tractor and it's electric poop wagon. (electric poop to be explained in another post).
OK, top of the road and I see the bike/hike sign. In front of the road is a T-intersection because of the gorgeous reddish/orange brick chateau. WOW, I knew the town had a chateau, but I hadn't seen it yet. Follow the bike sign, it's gotta be almost 3.1, it has to be almost over. So, I hit the next path and take it. It's traveled, kinda. Long story short, it wasn't the bike/hike path. I was on the chateau property, I assume, with a pond that I skirted around. Then the path disappeared and got super muddy and I ended up directly behind the chateau somehow. It use to have a beautiful garden at one time, but I rode my bike through it as quickly as I could, I needed to get back to the road! I took something that could have been a path, but got stuck in a huge patch of weeds containing thistles and nettles. OUCH! Finally, I road right up alongside the chateau and skipped out behind a construction fence. Whew!
Back on the road, I decided to head towards the town that adjoins mine. I found a little park, rode past the church AND found the Fromage Du Thoricourt farm! I've been looking for it for awhile now. My bike was filthy, I was filthy, full of nettle stings and thistle scratches and it was the best ride I've had in a long time. I'll have to take the husband along next time.
OK, top of the road and I see the bike/hike sign. In front of the road is a T-intersection because of the gorgeous reddish/orange brick chateau. WOW, I knew the town had a chateau, but I hadn't seen it yet. Follow the bike sign, it's gotta be almost 3.1, it has to be almost over. So, I hit the next path and take it. It's traveled, kinda. Long story short, it wasn't the bike/hike path. I was on the chateau property, I assume, with a pond that I skirted around. Then the path disappeared and got super muddy and I ended up directly behind the chateau somehow. It use to have a beautiful garden at one time, but I rode my bike through it as quickly as I could, I needed to get back to the road! I took something that could have been a path, but got stuck in a huge patch of weeds containing thistles and nettles. OUCH! Finally, I road right up alongside the chateau and skipped out behind a construction fence. Whew!
Back on the road, I decided to head towards the town that adjoins mine. I found a little park, rode past the church AND found the Fromage Du Thoricourt farm! I've been looking for it for awhile now. My bike was filthy, I was filthy, full of nettle stings and thistle scratches and it was the best ride I've had in a long time. I'll have to take the husband along next time.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Enjoy It While It Lasts
I'm living in Belgium, living my childhood dream of living in Europe, but I do have a complaint. The rain, some 220 days per year. But, when it isn't raining, people enjoy being outside.
Tonight it is a perfect, 65 degrees, light wind and partly sunny. The cows are bellowing at each other across the different fields, the storks from Pairi Daiza are out flying around and families are outside. In Nebraska, people know how to enjoy nice weather too, but it just seems so much more prevalent here. Families are out walking their dogs, or have their kids in strollers. Moms and Dads are out with the kids, rambling around. (they love the term 'rambling') They're out riding bikes together, enjoying each other's company and the beautiful weather. Right now, I'm listening to a family laughing, kicking a soccer ball down our country road. You just don't see that very much, it almost makes me want to look up divorce rates in Belgium. It's rare to see just the Mom and kids walking, it's everyone.
As I've written before, the nice weather here is more like a Indian Summer night at home, so it's just so refreshing and relaxing. Nebraskans know how to enjoy those days the most, because they are so much more pleasant than the 100 degree days of real summer. And they know that fall and winter can bring really crappy weather. My assumption is that it's the same here. The days are short and the weather is cold in the winter, so you have to enjoy every nice moment while you can.
We have been, a bike ride or a walk to town. Maybe a ramble down the path that runs behind the field, it's a great way to enjoy each other, our new country, and this beautiful weather.
Tonight it is a perfect, 65 degrees, light wind and partly sunny. The cows are bellowing at each other across the different fields, the storks from Pairi Daiza are out flying around and families are outside. In Nebraska, people know how to enjoy nice weather too, but it just seems so much more prevalent here. Families are out walking their dogs, or have their kids in strollers. Moms and Dads are out with the kids, rambling around. (they love the term 'rambling') They're out riding bikes together, enjoying each other's company and the beautiful weather. Right now, I'm listening to a family laughing, kicking a soccer ball down our country road. You just don't see that very much, it almost makes me want to look up divorce rates in Belgium. It's rare to see just the Mom and kids walking, it's everyone.
As I've written before, the nice weather here is more like a Indian Summer night at home, so it's just so refreshing and relaxing. Nebraskans know how to enjoy those days the most, because they are so much more pleasant than the 100 degree days of real summer. And they know that fall and winter can bring really crappy weather. My assumption is that it's the same here. The days are short and the weather is cold in the winter, so you have to enjoy every nice moment while you can.
We have been, a bike ride or a walk to town. Maybe a ramble down the path that runs behind the field, it's a great way to enjoy each other, our new country, and this beautiful weather.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Germany vs Belgium
We were able to go to Germany this weekend, about a 4 hour drive to Ramstein. We have a friend that has been stationed in Germany that was meeting us. It was a pretty drive through the hills of eastern Belgium and western Germany.
We had been told that the air force base in Ramstein was called, "Little America," because it was so large and has an enormous PX. They weren't lying! It has a huge shopping area, it's own book store, movie theater, several smaller shops, food court and a Macaroni Grill in it. Whoa! Overwhelming.
We were also told that Germans, more so than Belgians, are very friendly and helpful. This, also proved to be true. Not that most Belgians have been rude, but maybe a little aloof when it comes to relationships/conversations with English speaking people. (I refuse to believe it's just an American thing) Our French teacher said the rift is because Americans are big people, bold and swagger and have too much confidence. I don't see Belgians as being shrinking violets, but maybe I'm not that observant. Germans are also big people I guess, maybe that's why they seem to be more tolerant towards English speaking people.
We enjoyed our time in Ramstein and the surrounding towns, we'll be going back and if a spot opens in 3 years, I won't be sad if we move that direction.
We had been told that the air force base in Ramstein was called, "Little America," because it was so large and has an enormous PX. They weren't lying! It has a huge shopping area, it's own book store, movie theater, several smaller shops, food court and a Macaroni Grill in it. Whoa! Overwhelming.
We were also told that Germans, more so than Belgians, are very friendly and helpful. This, also proved to be true. Not that most Belgians have been rude, but maybe a little aloof when it comes to relationships/conversations with English speaking people. (I refuse to believe it's just an American thing) Our French teacher said the rift is because Americans are big people, bold and swagger and have too much confidence. I don't see Belgians as being shrinking violets, but maybe I'm not that observant. Germans are also big people I guess, maybe that's why they seem to be more tolerant towards English speaking people.
We enjoyed our time in Ramstein and the surrounding towns, we'll be going back and if a spot opens in 3 years, I won't be sad if we move that direction.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Another First
Today I had another first:First playgroup for my son. We've played with friends, met at the park, etc, but this was the first official playgroup. It wasn't as bad as I thought and I was so very pleased by that. You see, I'm not meant to be a stay at home mom and wife....at all. Bless those that are and choose to be and can, it is not easy! Automatically, you believe that everything needs to get done before that breadwinner gets home and your kids should be so well behaved and mannerly. Nope, doesn't happen that way, at least not with me. I have a career(insert had) and I miss it. When I'm able to work, I feel more complete, my child is happier, my husband is happier, all because I'm happier.
So, I was quite concerned going into this with none other than the PWOC, protestant women of the chapel. They were great women at VBS, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I was ready to just stay quiet and let them chat, but right away I met another disgruntled stay at home mom. Hurray! She's semi-actively looking for a job and counting the days before pre-school starts too! She feels like she shouldn't spend money and go shopping either. She doesn't get fulfillment out of clean laundry and freshly mopped floors either. I wasn't thinking I'd meet someone at playgroup to hang out with, but I did. I'm so glad we went to playgroup.
Oh, the rest of the women were nice too, and one of them even had a puppy, so I had a bit of a dog fix.
So, I was quite concerned going into this with none other than the PWOC, protestant women of the chapel. They were great women at VBS, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I was ready to just stay quiet and let them chat, but right away I met another disgruntled stay at home mom. Hurray! She's semi-actively looking for a job and counting the days before pre-school starts too! She feels like she shouldn't spend money and go shopping either. She doesn't get fulfillment out of clean laundry and freshly mopped floors either. I wasn't thinking I'd meet someone at playgroup to hang out with, but I did. I'm so glad we went to playgroup.
Oh, the rest of the women were nice too, and one of them even had a puppy, so I had a bit of a dog fix.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
One great house feature
One of the great features that my house has is a rainwater system. Since it rains here about 220 days/year (I think they're underestimating this average, just sayin') they have plenty of rainwater to use. Our water is collected in a storage barrel under the house somewhere and is used to flush the toilets, the washing machine and the outside faucet. It saves on alot of city water, which is very expensive, and uses what we already have readily available.
The only downside that I see with this system is that my white clothes don't look as white and they DON'T use bleach here. There isn't even a place to put bleach in my washing machine. When I asked the house inspector about bleach, he was almost appalled that I asked. Oh, and the water in the toilets always looks dirty, but with a 3 year old, it might be, it's a gamble.
The rainwater system is a great way to use what it so plentiful and renewable in Belgium. Now, if only they'd install a wind generator in my backyard, we'd be set!
The only downside that I see with this system is that my white clothes don't look as white and they DON'T use bleach here. There isn't even a place to put bleach in my washing machine. When I asked the house inspector about bleach, he was almost appalled that I asked. Oh, and the water in the toilets always looks dirty, but with a 3 year old, it might be, it's a gamble.
The rainwater system is a great way to use what it so plentiful and renewable in Belgium. Now, if only they'd install a wind generator in my backyard, we'd be set!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Pairi Daiza
We could not be luckier to be so close to the zoo, Pairi Daiza. It is absolutely amazing! Two of my son's favorite attractions are the large indoor playground and the even larger outdoor playground. The indoor one is just around the corner from the front gate, so it's perfect on rainy days. We spent two hours there today just to get out of the house on this dreary day.
They have everything that most big zoos have in the U.S. with few of the safety precautions. It's so funny to see the differences in the two different countries. They have a bat exhibit here, underground, beneath the huge tower on the property. In the U.S. all the bats would be behind class, not so here. You walk into the exhibit, through some heavy plastic drapes and right into the bat cave. They are flying all over the place, close to the ground, near the screened entrance to the tower and right past your hair. You step in guano, they skim past your nose and you can touch their food if you are so inclined. Amazing and just a bit unnerving.
In their new Australia exhibit the kangaroos hop past you, if you get off the sidewalk, you could chase them. There are little monkeys darting around stealing your food and sitting on your head and pooping if they care to. They also have the world's largest opal and some ginormous geodes that are taller than I am.
One of their newer attractions are the giraffes...that you can feed. There's a big tree house that you can climb with limbs and branches that you can hold out to them and they'll eat right out of your hands. Giraffe tongues are really huge and kinda gross, but it's cool that they'll eat from your hand. Wouldn't see that in the states, well, I haven't yet anyway.
Two of the things that we haven't gotten to see are the raptor show and the elephant show. The raptor show displays their falcons and eagles and some of their talents. We've walked past the show when it's in progress, but haven't gotten to actually sit and watch. The elephant show puts you within 15 feet of the pool and they do a few tricks, including spraying the audience. We didn't even know there was an elephant show until the 5th time we were at the zoo.
Something else we discovered last time was the large ship they have that is full of endangered animals from the world. They have explanations about poaching and scalping that I'm sure are interesting, but we don't read or speak French or Dutch yet.
If furry animals aren't really your thing, you can walk through the many gardens they have expertly placed within the property. There's also a neat aquarium placed in the chateau on property. They have sharks, Nemo and Dori, but they also have something I've never seen before, nautilus. A mollusk that is snail like, and super cool. We got to watch one move today when we were there, by blowing water out it's something...
We haven's been for two weeks and my son and I have both missed it. It's open every day, rare in Belgium, until the middle of November. With school getting out early on Wednesdays in Belgium, I think I know where we'll be.
They have everything that most big zoos have in the U.S. with few of the safety precautions. It's so funny to see the differences in the two different countries. They have a bat exhibit here, underground, beneath the huge tower on the property. In the U.S. all the bats would be behind class, not so here. You walk into the exhibit, through some heavy plastic drapes and right into the bat cave. They are flying all over the place, close to the ground, near the screened entrance to the tower and right past your hair. You step in guano, they skim past your nose and you can touch their food if you are so inclined. Amazing and just a bit unnerving.
In their new Australia exhibit the kangaroos hop past you, if you get off the sidewalk, you could chase them. There are little monkeys darting around stealing your food and sitting on your head and pooping if they care to. They also have the world's largest opal and some ginormous geodes that are taller than I am.
One of their newer attractions are the giraffes...that you can feed. There's a big tree house that you can climb with limbs and branches that you can hold out to them and they'll eat right out of your hands. Giraffe tongues are really huge and kinda gross, but it's cool that they'll eat from your hand. Wouldn't see that in the states, well, I haven't yet anyway.
Two of the things that we haven't gotten to see are the raptor show and the elephant show. The raptor show displays their falcons and eagles and some of their talents. We've walked past the show when it's in progress, but haven't gotten to actually sit and watch. The elephant show puts you within 15 feet of the pool and they do a few tricks, including spraying the audience. We didn't even know there was an elephant show until the 5th time we were at the zoo.
Something else we discovered last time was the large ship they have that is full of endangered animals from the world. They have explanations about poaching and scalping that I'm sure are interesting, but we don't read or speak French or Dutch yet.
If furry animals aren't really your thing, you can walk through the many gardens they have expertly placed within the property. There's also a neat aquarium placed in the chateau on property. They have sharks, Nemo and Dori, but they also have something I've never seen before, nautilus. A mollusk that is snail like, and super cool. We got to watch one move today when we were there, by blowing water out it's something...
We haven's been for two weeks and my son and I have both missed it. It's open every day, rare in Belgium, until the middle of November. With school getting out early on Wednesdays in Belgium, I think I know where we'll be.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Working the system
We have a cute old house that has recently be remodeled. The landlord said it was 200,000 Euro, but we think that might be over estimating it by about....well who knows. I can't imagine the house being that much, but I don't know the prices over here.
Anyway, remodeled yes, to typical American standards, no. I have a galley kitchen just the same size that my husband and I had when we were first married living in Iowa. However, I had twice the cabinet space then as I do now. We have exactly 1 cabinet (double door), 3 large drawers and 2 silverware drawers to store food, dishes, storage containers, spices, etc. That's it. That fact wasn't overlooked by me, but that's another story.
So, when we contacted the military furniture place that supplies us with washer/dryer/fridge/etc, I was looking on the list for cabinets. We had someone tell us that they offered them, and just to take them, there's no storage here. The cabinets weren't on the list, so I figured that I couldn't ask for them.
Then I asked someone about them again, and she said that they have them, just ask. So I went out there and asked in person. I wanted to get my sob story face ready if needed. The kind people told me in their best English (thank goodness they have English) that they have them, but they would have to come out and look at the kitchen and verify that I have no cabinets or storage space available.
After 3 weeks, they finally showed up today and the little gentleman stated, as he got out of the van, "I can tell from your road that you don't have any kitchen storage." Referencing that we live in the sticks and our nearest neighbor is probably a quarter mile away. He asked me what I would like for cabinets, which are more like tall pantries, and told me I was allowed to have 3 of them. "Then 3 is what I want," I told him. So, after all this time and waiting for them to show up, he was here about 5 minutes total and will be submitting his report to the manager on Monday and they will call me next week to set up a delivery time for the cabinets. With any luck, in 3 more weeks, I'll have some cabinet space and I can get rid of the boxes on the main floor. Who knows when we'll have a bedroom set so I can get rid of the boxes in there.
Anyway, remodeled yes, to typical American standards, no. I have a galley kitchen just the same size that my husband and I had when we were first married living in Iowa. However, I had twice the cabinet space then as I do now. We have exactly 1 cabinet (double door), 3 large drawers and 2 silverware drawers to store food, dishes, storage containers, spices, etc. That's it. That fact wasn't overlooked by me, but that's another story.
So, when we contacted the military furniture place that supplies us with washer/dryer/fridge/etc, I was looking on the list for cabinets. We had someone tell us that they offered them, and just to take them, there's no storage here. The cabinets weren't on the list, so I figured that I couldn't ask for them.
Then I asked someone about them again, and she said that they have them, just ask. So I went out there and asked in person. I wanted to get my sob story face ready if needed. The kind people told me in their best English (thank goodness they have English) that they have them, but they would have to come out and look at the kitchen and verify that I have no cabinets or storage space available.
After 3 weeks, they finally showed up today and the little gentleman stated, as he got out of the van, "I can tell from your road that you don't have any kitchen storage." Referencing that we live in the sticks and our nearest neighbor is probably a quarter mile away. He asked me what I would like for cabinets, which are more like tall pantries, and told me I was allowed to have 3 of them. "Then 3 is what I want," I told him. So, after all this time and waiting for them to show up, he was here about 5 minutes total and will be submitting his report to the manager on Monday and they will call me next week to set up a delivery time for the cabinets. With any luck, in 3 more weeks, I'll have some cabinet space and I can get rid of the boxes on the main floor. Who knows when we'll have a bedroom set so I can get rid of the boxes in there.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Priority to the right
On our second day in Belgium, we had a "tour guide" show us around the area. The person my husband took over for was very friendly and wanted us to see some houses for rent. As we were flying down tiny little roads that wouldn't even be paved in Nebraska, he stressed one driving rule, Priority to the Right! Unless you are on a VERY major road, all the smaller roads have priority. That means, as you're cruising along at 90kph on a road with or without a center lane, all the roads that join yours will have priority to the road and they'll pull out without looking, because they have the right of way. It's frightening! I think the only people who slow down when the see an arterial road are non-Belgians. From what I understand, this crazy, deadly rule is unique to Belgium. And you'll see signs of priority to the right accidents all over. People with either their front left side bashed in from turning onto the road, or the right side bashed in from not yielding to a priority road. If we get out of here without an accident from this crazy law, I'll be absolutely amazed!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Plentiful Pears
We have a very prolific pear tree in our backyard. Pear tree. Really, pears are not my favorite fruit. Who do you know can say that pears are their favorite fruit. The texture is so iffy, it has to be just perfect or it's hard as a rock or mushy. Yuck.
For the past few weeks, we have been picking up pears by the bucket load and dumping them over the fence in the various fields next to us. Then we decided that was quite wasteful. We should do something with them. There are people who would love to have them. We just have to pick through the ones that haven't been eaten by birds, gophers, lady bugs, or aren't infested with slugs, worms and bees. Damn bees. We've all be stung now, thank you bees.
Anyway, tonight I tried my hand at making homemade pear bread. I'm not really a domestic person by nature, but I don't mind baking. If I have to mix something, it might as well be something sweet. So, after finding some good pears and being stung through my gardening gloves, I had enough to make a few loaves of pear bread. And by god, it's good! My husband even said so, yeah me! So, with the last remaining 500 or so pears that are left on the tree, I've finally found something to do with the good ones.
Warm pear bread with ice cream will only help my already failing diet, but it's tasty, and more socially appropriate to talk about than my love of the local beers.
For the past few weeks, we have been picking up pears by the bucket load and dumping them over the fence in the various fields next to us. Then we decided that was quite wasteful. We should do something with them. There are people who would love to have them. We just have to pick through the ones that haven't been eaten by birds, gophers, lady bugs, or aren't infested with slugs, worms and bees. Damn bees. We've all be stung now, thank you bees.
Anyway, tonight I tried my hand at making homemade pear bread. I'm not really a domestic person by nature, but I don't mind baking. If I have to mix something, it might as well be something sweet. So, after finding some good pears and being stung through my gardening gloves, I had enough to make a few loaves of pear bread. And by god, it's good! My husband even said so, yeah me! So, with the last remaining 500 or so pears that are left on the tree, I've finally found something to do with the good ones.
Warm pear bread with ice cream will only help my already failing diet, but it's tasty, and more socially appropriate to talk about than my love of the local beers.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Involvement
My daughter noticed it first, I think, but she was totally right. The level of involvement of parents and older kids is huge at this post.
VBS started today and I'm volunteering. I'm one of 90 volunteers, adults and kids combined and we have over 150 kids coming to VBS. I'm amazed at that number. It's a small duty station, but everyone has something that they help with.
I'm starting with VBS and then will start choir later this month. I'll be substituting when school starts and volunteering elsewhere when I can. My husband will be helping with the boy scout troop when it starts back up in the fall.
This is a great post and I'm very excited to be a part of it.
VBS started today and I'm volunteering. I'm one of 90 volunteers, adults and kids combined and we have over 150 kids coming to VBS. I'm amazed at that number. It's a small duty station, but everyone has something that they help with.
I'm starting with VBS and then will start choir later this month. I'll be substituting when school starts and volunteering elsewhere when I can. My husband will be helping with the boy scout troop when it starts back up in the fall.
This is a great post and I'm very excited to be a part of it.
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