Hilary In London

Belgium and their beer

It's been way too long since I've posted, and now I have to think back before Paris and my last week of school and remember Belgium. Though the beauty and fun we had doesn't make it hard to do. I went to Belgium for the weekend with some of the other international teachers who I met through the agency. I didn't know them that well before this, but I thought I'd take the opportunity when they asked. I'm glad I did! We went on a tour, specifically a beer festival tour in this little town. But that comes later. We were picked up at 6am - for some too early (as 2 missed the bus, but they were persistant and both ended up taking a train, a ferry and another train to come meet up with us.) Some were still drunk on the bus there - a night of hard drinking to prepare for the festival I guess. The way there was uneventful - though I did meet some of the others and ended up chatting to them. We arrived, finally, in Oostende (where we were to stay that night) and in festival spirits we were met by drunken men dressed in lederhosen, singing and playing instruments on the street. I think they had seen us arriving and decided to come out and serenade us with their version of 'Sweet Caroline'. We had a couple of hours to explore the town and have something to eat until the bus came to take us to the festival. A girl from Australia and I ended up wandering the streets, trying to find postcards and chocolates, and then settled in for probably the best lazagna I've ever had! The beer was delicious as well (I do love Belgian beer). Mmm, I still dream of the rich, creamy, melt in your mouth goodness... Then off to the festival!
No one told us that it was a dress up party. People were there in groups, either with matching shirts that they had made, or with wigs and fantastic hats! Even without our own costumes we managed to have our own fun. And some were given hats and wigs by other patrons. This wasn't a beer tasting festival where people sat around sampling Belgian beer in their proper glasses - though the cherry beer did prove to be a big hit. I only had one glass of it, and it was nice, but too much would definitely equal a bad hangover. We found out that the men who serenaded us were also the main entertainment that night! Their four songs were fantastic, but got a little repetitive a couple hours later. The night was filled with drinking, I never, dancing and then more dancing! It really was a night to remember - and then a smell to remember all the next day as one person (at least) did throw up on the bus. We did try the traditional Chaiton tradition of singing away puke smell, and it did work, especially after the disaster that was trying to open the vent at the top of the bus.

We arrived in Brugge around lunch time so headed off and had some Belgian waffles! Even without maple syrup they were delicious! Brugge is just the sweetest town. It is a UNESCO world heritage site as a tribute to a medival town. The serene canal (and the bridge where a couple can stand in the middle and ask the patron of love to grant eternal happiness and bliss...) The top picture is of the old hospital - used up until the 1970s. After finally managing to find the carriages, we ended up taking a horse and carriage ride throughout the city. The driver sported a Canadian pin on his hat, which he almost emotionally told the story of how the Canadians had protected the city against the Germans in WWII. I gather he had found out first hand from a vetran who had taken a ride in his buggy. A proud moment for us!

The ride back to London was rowdier than the ride there - people connecting and chatting (and more singing!) Driving up to the ferry, or I guess just before that, up to immigration, we watched hords of people who lined the sides of the road. At night, or whenever they can, they will try and hang on to a bus or truck (without being seen) to get into England. This makes the immigration officers mean I think. We were all hasselled at the boarder - even those of us with British or European passports. Even before I spoke (so she had no idea of my accent), the officer was pressing me about how I have a British passport. Luckily I did remember the name of the village where my mom was born and I was let through. We made it home in good time - watched the Manchurian Candidate on the last leg of the journey, but missed the last 5 minutes! So now I still need to know what happens in the end.
So last thoughts. Belgium = a place I'd definitely go to again!

posted by Hilary @ 10:58 AM 0 comments

Thanksgiving in London - Chicken Curry

It is thanksgiving weekend - and like all my fellow Canadians I have been dreaming of changing leaves, crisp days, gords of all shapes and sizes, turkey dinner with all the fixings and pumpkin pie. The leaves do change colour before they fall, but so far all I have seen is brown leaves (and most are still green now). 4 Canadians did sit around and at least acknowledge that it was thanksgiving. I had a late start on Saturday - met up with Jemma and tried to find bushey station (which should be just a couple minutes away...) alas, almost an hour later, after somehow ending up on the M25, going the wrong way, we finally arrived at a tube station. As we approached all the other passangers seemed to be heading away from the station, not into it. A nice service man informed us that this station was not open today. So we spend another little while trying to catch a bus that would take us to a station that was open. Finally, many minutes later, we were on a train heading into London. Poor Jemma got off at her stop just to find out that that stop too was closed. I took a little pit stop and met up with Andrew for a coffee before heading to Dave and Ariana's for dinner. It was nice to see Andrew - I haven't seen him since I first arrived, and doesn't look like our schedules will match for a while still. So arrived at Dave and Ariana's and met one of Dave's friends (a maple leaf fan - but I am glad to say that I schooled him in hockey talk. His only reply was (surprise, surprise): we beat you in the playoffs. I tried to get him to be more original in his insults and try to find something else to say - alas, nothing. He just found new ways to say the same thing. Oh maple leaf fans. At least get some originality.)
Ariana made chicken curry for dinner! Mmmm, and nan bread. I'll have pumpkin pie again soon enough. It was a nice little dinner party and we then headed off to piccadilly and found a pub that was open until later than 11pm! Luckily we didn't miss our train back and then had a little slumber party. This morning, we headed off and met Jemma at Camden Market. What a great place to be on a Sunday! The street was alive with all sorts of stalls and different types of people. I loved walking through the actual market - almost laid out like a labyrinth. There was just too much to look at, but I think we did a pretty good job of finding nice merchandise. I got a watch (which I need like nothing else since there is no clock in my classroom), a bag that is a bit bigger than my purse so that I bring a book on the tube, and this cozy sweater! Not even a hoody - but I did see one that I loved, resisted the temptation.
Tomorrow is an inset day - so although we don't have it completely off it will be a nice change in pace. Not really sure what the plan of the day is - the itinerary says: Faculty time. Who really knows what that means. Next weekend is my trip to Belgium! I was looking at the actual towns that we will be visiting today. The one with the beer festival is a town called 'Diksmuide' and then we are heading to Brugge the next day. Brugge seems incredible! It is a world heritage site - a medival city perserved to the best of their ability. I am so excited to be able to spend some time wandering around there. I'll take lots of pictures - don't you worry!
Time for bed! Hope you all enjoyed your thanksgiving - and make sure you eat some pumpkin pie for me. 

posted by Hilary @ 10:57 PM 1 comments