This weird journey and Elizabeth Gilbert

Life is a journey. You hear proverbs, song lyrics, poems, and wise people telling you this all the time. We normally just agree. But it really is a one big learning experience. We really do have the potential to learn something important every single day of our lives. Upon inception, we have every possibility and potential ahead of us. When we are born, we are placed with limitations based on our gender, race, nationality, and class. The infinite possibilities and wonders of the universe are still out there, but it simply becomes harder for some to get there. Many can't even fathom beginning to explore or try to understand life or the world around us. Some cannot based on limitations placed upon them and others either choose not too either because they choose to ignore these realities and possibilities, or because they have found peace with their own personal environment. For those of us that have been given the burden and blessing of curiosity, the desire to explore, question and learn from the world, the path to enlightenment and understanding isn't always easy.

Wonder where all this is coming from or where it is going? I'm currently reading one of the most amazing novels I have ever read. Maybe not amazing on its own standing (although it was featured on Oprah), but amazing to me because of the perfect timing in which I found it in my life. I discovered this book at a moment where I found (and still find) myself in the middle of this huge transitionary period, where I am at a complete loss on almost everything, carrying with me nothing but a suitcase (or 4), some tickets, and some hope. It was literally exactly what I needed; spiritually and emotionally as well as physically (I had 18 hours to kill). I'm not quite finished it yet; I still have about 100 pages left. While I am really anxious to continue reading, at the same time, I don't want it to end.

A piece of non-fiction, this book is a memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert's year long 3 part journey of self discovery that took her to Italy, India, and Indonesia. Reading it is like having a conversation with this woman about her journey while she charmingly imparts her newfound wisdom and learning experiences with you. As one review says, "Gilbert's prose is fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit, and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible." It's true.

So... the point is that in a moment where I was feeling especially lost mentally and physically in one of the many airports I've been in recently, this book was and continues to be amazing. I highly recommend it. And I hope that every day I can continue learning as much as I have.

To the wonderful people throughout my travels

One thing I have not yet mentioned is the people that I have met thus far in my travels. I can definitely thank my mother for is the ability to strike up a conversation and make friends with anyone I come across. In the few weeks that I've been gone from Saskatchewan I've met so many very different people from very different backgrounds. If you ask the right questions, you can get to know so much about different cultures, societies, countries and just gain knowledge and life experiences just by having a conversation with the person you're sitting next to. Not that all the people I have met and all my conversations were very serious and insightful, but some of them had some pretty awesome moments. These are a few out of the many people I met that really struck me.

The first person I met was Patrick in Saskatoon airport. He's Quebecois and was heading to Montreal as well so I got to talk to him for most of my travels that day. After originally meeting him during a Happy Hour at Le Relais, to my surprise I learned that he has a PhD in environmental science or environmental engineering. Among other things we talked and explored the subject of higher education and the purpose and utility of master's degree and doctorate. We also discussed the vast differences between the regions in Canada, and how someone from Quebec living in Saskatoon is as good as an immigrant.

In Montreal I met and partied with many people I met through Paul, but the next influential person was Boris, whom I met at Picnik Electronik in Montreal. He is originally from Russia but immigrated to Canada with his family when he was 10. Having this background, Boris speaks perfect French, Russian, and English with a bit of an accent. A very cool, deep, and older spirited individual with some amazing MJ moves on the dance floor. We talked a lot about the vast cultural and societal differences between our countries' generations and the generations divided by the Iron Curtain. Also generally about world affairs and current political events and how much the US is fucking up. It was one of those amazing conversations that made me so thankful for my degree. I don't think I've ever fully realized exactly how much I learned, retained, and applied my education until traveling and meeting all these people.


I also met a lot of other travelers from the States, Australia, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, and more Americans. The person who I had the best conversation with though was Raj, the front desk manager at my hostel in Paris. We started talking while I was sick and stayed in the main lobby and lounge one whole afternoon on the internet and reading. He also ended up walking me to Gare du Nord to catch my TGV to Brussels and bought me an orange juice for sustenance. He is originally from Tunisia and has been living in Paris for the last 10-15 years. Upon discussion why I was leaving Paris, he talked all about what he loves about Paris and why he decided to move and stay there. We also discussed the many, many differences between The Prairies and Paris. This conversation made me think a lot of emigrating in general, moving to a knew place and your bond and affection for your home country. He really made me nostalgic about Canada.

In Brussels I also met and partied with many people through Tom, and I've already talked about the Russian, Polish and Chek girls. But I also met these two Australian women at the train station and on the train yesterday that were traveling Europe without their husbands or kids. It just struck me not only how friendly they were (reminded me of other Canadians), but how much they had been through on their travels and how much they still loved it. The one woman had gotten food poisoning in Barcelona from fish and ended up in the emergency room for 2 nights and the other one got robbed and lost her cell phone in another city, but they were still just floating from city to city loving the experience and the adventure... and the shopping.

Probably the person that has the biggest influence in my mind was Gisele from Vancouver whom I met at Brussels Airport at a very low point in my day when I was on my way to Amsterdam. It was literally the peak point of a horrific morning when I ran into her in line at the bar next to the gate to buy my juice. She remembered me from in line at the Check in counter and noticed that I was Canadian. She ended up buying me my juice and insisted on feeding me (as it was 2pm and I had not yet eaten that day) and split her amazing Belgian waffle and the equally amazing chocolate covered roasted soy nuts she brought with her from Seattle. She was in Belgium for a friends wedding and loves the country and the lifestyle so much she stayed as long as she could before having to return to work in Vancouver. She was a very strong, outgoing, personable woman who after working a high profile office career for so long up and quit and became a flight attendant. She loves her job but refuses to be labeled by it. Our conversation was filled with her hilarious anecdotes about the ignorance and stupidity of people when they realize they no longer have control while flying, the pleasures and goals of life in general, and the great things you can get and learn from traveling, and how this can rival many of the educations and diplomas you can get at institutions.

Lastly there is Daniel, a Swede who is keeping me company in Amsterdam. We talked at lengths about our two countries, his experiences in the States, the origins of Canada and why we are the way we are, and the many, many differences between the very close geographically European countries.He also made me think about the benefits and values of traveling, and what you can learn from meeting new people. He is largely what inspired me to write this entry.

So I dedicate this rather long post to him, and all the wonderful people I have met so far and all I have learned from them. Hopefully there will be many more to come :)

Home of the pissing statue

Now that it has finally cooled off and gotten to some normal temperatures (and all of the Europeans don pants and jackets), the Canadians can finally enjoy Brussels..

Since Tom just "officially" started his job on the 2nd, he is working steady in some form. By that I mean to about 8pm every single night, Sat and Sun included; whether it be the beach or the office. This means that I have seen him around a collective 16 hours out of the 4 days I have been in Brussels. It was good though, left me plenty of time to relax, get to know the flat, and wander Brussels. It was good that I could do this without Tom during the day, as Brussels runs on small town hours: stores largely close at 6, one night a week and Fridays at 8 or 9, and closed Sundays. All the shopping stores however, were exceptionally open this Sunday, as it is currently 1 of the 2 government regulated sales periods that are in July and January. Yes this means that every single store is on sale. For someone with money to spend, this would be amazing. Unfortunately Tom nor I fall in to that category. He did do a bit of shopping though and found a suit jacket for 15€. I didn't do much shopping, but I did get to see some of the famous sites such as the Manneken Pis, the outside of the Royal Palace of Brussels at night, one of the arches, outside of one of the EU buildings, and the Grand Place.

Brussels is also by far, the most multicultural city I have ever been to. Especially with most of Tom's work contacts being Russian or from some eastern European or Russian speaking country. From playing drinking games with 4 Russians, a British/Indian and a Filipino/Canadian Friday, and going out with 3 different Russians downtown Saturday, I have by far learned more Russian than Dutch, the other official language of Brussels. It's really interesting being in such multicultural groups in social atmospheres, especially ones from the other side of the Iron Curtain. Not including language, you notice some astounding cultural differences. My favorite was Tom and I having to go into a detailed description of what drag queens are, and the social and gender relations and norms at play being gay.

The one thing the Russians had no problem with in Brussels however was the smoking. Granted there are less smokers here than in Montréal, apparently smoking is still legal in bars and restaurants here. This is probably the one thing that I do not like about Brussels and will never get used to. Being Canadian, it seems so weird and unusual to see someone smoking indoors, in a train station, in a restaurant with children, and dancing in a club with a cigarette. Unless it specifically says no smoking, it is legal. This means that inside, most bars are hazy with smoke and smell like ashtrays. It's a good thing that in Europe half the restaurant is on the sidewalk and drinking in public is legal, because it's the non-smokers that have to go outside for air.

Balancing out how behind Brussels is from the rest of the Western world on smoking policies, they are much farther they are ahead on being green and eco-friendly. Almost everything here is designed to be economic and efficient. The city lighting for example, is apparently designed to be eco-friendly and to avoid light pollution. As a result, in the middle of the city of about 1 million people, about an hour or two after sunset, you can see the stars. I have yet to see the stars in Canada in any town or city larger than 10 000 people..

Brussels

So, I'm just going to pretend that these last few days did not exist and did not happen. That work for you? We'll just leave it at Paris is fucking hot, crowded and did I mention sweltering hot? And in Europe you cannot find A/C, ice, cold or iced drinks, or wind. Got sick, etc. etc. rescheduled my tour for later this summer, and I'm in Brussels at the moment with Tom. Oh, and Tom is a godsend. That pretty much sums it up I think.

We took possession of our apartment yesterday afternoon and stayed the first night in it last night. Since it is completely unfurnished, Tom borrowed an air mattress from a friend and we both slept on that with no pillows and 1 sleeping bag. Needless to say it wasn't the best sleep of my life, but it was amazing and refreshing compared to Paris. The apartment is huge! A big hardwood floor living room, separated kitchen with dishwasher, little weird balcony railing thing that overlooks a courtyard, 2 bedrooms that are far away from the living room, and 2, that's right, 2 bathrooms. 1 has a toilet and the other the tub/shower with 2 sinks and a very large mirror and medicine cabinet. The only downside is that there is no laundry in the apartment or the building, but Tom is looking in to buying a cheap used washer.

The location is amazing as well. It is right across the street from a nice and decent size park. From our living room we have a view of a Chateau and can see the top of the Palais de Justice. The metro stop is literally 5 feet from our front door. We are 1 stop away from the main arrival station (for all those that WILL come visit me ;), and just a few stops away from the Brussels center. The very small block that we live on, has a fresh fruit and vegetable grocery store (as they all are very fresh and organic), a butcher shop, a bakery, a coffee shop that has iced chai lattes!, a convenience store that is open 24/7 (a miracle to find in Europe), a bagel place (also a miracle), a pharmacy, a cupcake shop, European version of a Dollarstore, and several bars and restaurants. That is only 1 block. A metro stops to downtown near Tom's office there is a big mall and streets with all the shopping you need. To top it all off, the rent and utilities split by Tom and I is exactly what I paid in Saskatoon.

To all of you in the Prairies, the heat here is so hot and humid is deathly. Brussels is much better than Paris though apparently because its closer to the ocean. The plus side to this, is that there are no mosquitoes! :)

The few downsides to our apartment are just European quirks. Such as how the fridge does not get very cold, how we have no microwave, how the nozzle for the shower is currently at about my chest height, maybe lower, and how there are only a few lights in the entire apartment, and a bunch of dangling cables from the ceiling in every room (you apparently buy and install your own light fixtures).

It is very, very different here.. yet probably the closest to North American lifestyle than any other country in the world other than the UK.I could pretty much kill for an iced chai latte from Starbucks or a bagel from Timmy's right about now.

PS It is insanely complicated to call people here, and I don't have my cell like I was supposed to. I have successfully managed to call Tom 2/4 times, and he has a European number so it's easier *eye roll*. Will keep you all updated on the cell issue.

Click here to see some pics of our apartment. Just picture it without the furniture, appliances, plants and stuff.