Report Onze

Well here it is my last Rotary report. The next time you here from me about this wonderful experience I’ve had will be in person. This report may seem brief and perhaps even a little less well phrased as the others, but for reasons that if are not obvious now should become apparent by the end of your reading of this have restrained my ability to pour my full attention into this.

This past month and a half has once again been another great experience.

At school I did my three exams, passed geography and social sciences, but failed French by two points. Though overall through the year I passed in French. I made my goodbyes to the school and its staff and a few of the other students as well.

With Rotary I had my final meeting and therefore presentation. It went very well, and I was congratulated on my French improvement and my performance with my theatre academy. One of the Rotarians has a daughter who was at the same Academy.

While on the subject of theatre the performance went very well, only very minor bumps along the way, and I received an Excellent as a grade for the entire year as well as some very good critique and advice from the professional actors who judged us.

I had a very special moment on the Belgian’s Father’s day (it’s a week before the Canadian one). I went to Comines to see my Great-great-grandfather’s grave. He was killed in the war, and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate day to go see him then Father’s day. It was a moving moment to walk over the graves of all of those potential fathers’s and then once I crossed them all come upon the father who died for many, but more importantly, lived for me.

I had several goodbyes with Rotary friends, once in Eupen where I saw a Leiderhosen wearing saxophone playing Austrian band. Second in Mouscron where I camped in the back yard. Why? Cause I happened to have a tent with me! Third in Sart, where I rocked out to some classic rock with a Rush crazed Australian. And lastly in Waremme where I got to see what can go wrong with flights.

Everything was going fairly smoothly goodbye-wise, no tears yet, until two nights ago when I had my goodbye party. I held it in a field beside some cows under a tunnel tent. And as I said goodbye to my Belgian friends I always took a little moment to realise, this could be the last time I see them. And therefore proceeded to unashamedly cry. Once you get started it’s hard to stop, so people who had not been expecting tears from me got them. It was a very hard moment and really made me realise just how much they mean to me, and thus in turn how much this year has meant to me. I have been changed from this amazing year abroad, except now it is no longer abroad for me, it’s just another place I like to call home.

But now it’s time to go back to my first home, and see the people I’ve been dying to see for the last eleven months.

Walking among fathers

It is father's day in Belgium. Making it very suiting that this day we decided to finally go see the burying place of my great great grandfather who died in the first world war. I know I never knew him, and only know him because of him being killed in the war. But when I looked upon the text written at the base of his gravestone, I felt a connection, for those simple words moved me immensely. Something so simple, and yet just as unachievable as perfection.

It also got me thinking of all the bodies surrounding me. How I was surrounded by potential fathers, who all gave their children the ultimate gift at the ultimate cost. Making this cemetery much more meaningful to me than any of the big shocking ones, because it finally gave me a definite result of these men defending their countries with their lives. That result being found right beneath the eyes searching for it. Me, us. Because my great great grandfather defended his country with so many others, I am now alive to remember him. The greatest post mortem gift I know. Simply to be remembered.

Report Dix

Even though I realize that I still have more than a month left, the goodbyes have officially started as of this lovely month of May. So you’ll be hearing a lot of “the last time I did that *sniffle sniffle*”. But of course it means things are slowing down a bit, as all my friends prepare for exams I’ve had to look to my exchange friends for company, which at first is not obvious as it is rather rare that I see other exchange students, but now I am very glad for it as I have met some wonderful people. People I would’ve loved to have met at the beginning of this year as they are that interesting.

So with school it’s been a lot of finishing up and preparation for the upcoming exams, which means not a whole lot for me to do or worry about as I am only required to do three and they count for nothing but experience. Unfortunately in gym we’ve been doing track and field. I say unfortunately because I love track and field, and due to my knee I cannot participate. Which means I get to watch while all my classmates groan, moan and complain while doing things I adore. While on the topic of my knee, the physiotherapist is on vacation, though it is getting progressively better by itself. The weather has been simply splendid, not at all facilitating being stuck in school, so I took every chance I could get to get outside and soak in the sun. My farmer’s tan is already nicely developed.

On the soccer level, I made my goodbyes to my team, and wished that I could’ve played until the end. Quite nicely I left on a high note as they had just won and tied a match in a tourney.

I also made my unofficial goodbye to “les Lutins”, my girl scouts. The unofficial referring to uncertainty as to whether or not I will go to the camp they attend from the first of July to the tenth of July. So they all quite nicely signed my “Lutins” t-shirt, then crushed me in a group hug, as well as naming me staff member of the day!

For Rotary I had my second last meeting with my club, which I felt more at ease then I ever felt with them, and was even invited over to one of their houses for some eggs afterwards. I went to Walibi with Rotex and numerous other exchange students. Walibi is Belgium’s little theme park, and Rotex an organization of “veteran” Rotary exchange students. I had a great time with friends. I also went to Liège to hang and say goodbye to some exchange student friends at the park. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for adieus and human pyramids.

I then finished the month with a trip with my host family and their mother’s colleagues to France, to Provins and Fontaine-Bleau. Two beautiful places full of life, history and a really cheesy medieval show.

All this adds to another wonderful month to add to my wonderful Belgian repertoire.

Greece pics!

Laetare pics!

Report Neuf

This report marks the passing of one of the best months of my life, but also the beginning of the two possibly hardest months. Because as tough and detached as I sometimes may like to think of myself, usually I only say goodbye, this time there’s a lot more chance for it to be adieu.

This past month three big things have happened and I will focus on them, as they are already each one big enough for a report of their very own. First of there was Laetare of Stavelot. Very similar in concept to Carnaval, in the sense that it changes with every town. I was lucky enough to be in the Laetare capitol of the world (or at least that’s what the people from that town call it). It starts of with an evening parade and festivities. So once again everyone was dressed up and ready for fun. I personally dressed as the Belgian equivalent of a girl scout, complete with wig and leggings. So though the distance the parade traversed was shorter than Carnaval in Malmedy, the floats were much more elaborate. After the parades people broke of to get food from the stalls set up and listen to music in the cafes or big tent set up. The next day was the official day, with the full official parade. I have never seen such a parade in all my life. The amount of effort and detail that went in these floats and costumes was simply astounding. Every group had at least one big float with several little ones, some had multiple big ones. The biggest group consisted of over two hundred people, all dressed in the same costumes doing the same choreography. This group happened to have a float with an elaborate fountain system built into it. Needless to say they won the contest for best ensemble. After all the amazing groups went by, next came the ever famous Blanc-moussis. An enormous group of men and boys all dressed in white hooded capes with white clothing and masks with exaggerated noses. The marched through proudly with pig bladders and old fish on strings and/or on sticks that they waved in your faces or hit you with. The reek was nauseating. Some also walked along long poles that they used to jam windows of upper floors in houses open, preparing for the next step. Now it must be said before I move onto the next step that throughout this entire time people are flinging confetti everywhere. That does not however prepare you for the grand finale. This is when two floats come by, each wielding two confetti canons so big and powerful they take two people to manipulate them. This is why the windows were jammed open, so that when these canons come by, they stop in front of the windows and just blast straight into the houses for a good five minutes before moving on. I had the pleasure of knowing someone controlling one of the canons, so I received quite a face full. The day then continued was again into general celebration for the rest of day and night. Some people even stop the day after, so that when we arrived at school, they were there waiting for us, still partying and flinging confetti everywhere.

A few weeks later the Easter holidays began, and I left on one of the most memorable journeys of my life, to the land of olives, marble and broken plates. I went with Rotary to Greece and was therefore with people from all over the world, only increasing the wonder of that trip. We took a bus down to Italy, and then crossed over to Greece by boat. A long voyage, but when you’re with the right people, anything can be fun. We went to visit the Meteors, Delphos, Athens, the Parthenon, Hydra, Olympia and some other little places. For me this was a dream come true, because as a child I loved Greek mythology, and therefore had always imagined going there. Well I did, and it did not disappoint. I was in Greece six days (ten days but four spent arriving and leaving), and in those six days the amount of people I met who had been to Canada or had some family in Canada was utterly gobsmacking. Every time I talked to a Greek, the moment I’d say I’m from Canada, a twinkle would appear in their eye and they would explain their link with it. There was also quite a bit of musical talent, so I got to practise my singing a bit as well while I was there. The things I did in Greece I will remember forever, and all the people who I met along the way as well.

The third big thing I did, a perfect way to end such a splendid month, was the outbound weekend. I was invited to present my country to and meet, all the out bounds leaving my district here in Belgium. A fairly big deal when you consider there were at least fifty of them if not several more. I even got to meet the girl coming to 7070 this year! Not to mention a girl heading up to Barrie where I have family! So I have decided that instead of completely leaving Belgium, I’m going to take some of it with me. Come back with real waffle recipes, a huge jar of andalousse, a deep fryer to make “real” fries and a bunch of Belgian friends in the surrounding area to share it with.

Report Huit

know I say this every month, but this month was absolutely full non-stop! If this month had only contained Carnaval it would already have been one of the best months yet, considering it just started with it.

So, Carnaval, where to start. This is a five day celebration, celebrating the start of the 40 days of fasting before Easter. It changes not only by region but by town, each town that participates having its own special versions and costumes. As I was Malmedy I got to witness the Haguettes and the Ardennaises, something you will see in no other Carnaval in the world. The Haguettes are dressed entirely in silk with old fashioned admiral’s hats with enormous multicoloured plumes sprouting out the top. They carry long wooden pincer thingamadoodles that they use to make sounds grab people’s ankles. If they happen to snag your ankle you have to go down on one knee and ask forgiveness. The Ardennaises is anyone who dresses up as an Ardennais can participate. The Ardennais costume being that of white pants, a blue tunic (with embroidery if traditional as mine was), a bandana around the neck held in place by a box of matches. I participated in this particular one, and it was fantastic. The enormous procession of Ardennaises is lead by the town marching band, and as they go around the town the Ardennaises cannot simply walk. They have to link arms, forming lines, and run/skip side to side throughout the entire procession. You also have to try and get as close as possible to the band, so there is a lot of cutting in front of other lines, and a lot of stepping on feet. This is then repeated later in the evening with the burning of the Haguette. A monstrous fire is set alight, as high as the surround buildings, so hot that ten metres away you feel its heat. When the fire has started to calm down the Ardennais are set loose to run around it in their linked arm lines. So Carnaval starts on the Saturday, though there is a midnight opening celebration the Friday night, the Saturday is when the may gives the opening speech, in Walloon, the regional traditional dialect. There is then a little parade, with tons of confetti and plenty of audience participation. The Sunday is the full parade with the huge floats and dance groups, also the masses dressed in traditional gear. As there are several different I will describe two. One is the long noses. They essentially have an Ardennais costume, but with a mask with a Pinocchioesque nose and a little pipe, also a little white red striped tuque. They walk around in groups of six to a dozen. They walk in lines with their hands behind their backs. They then choose someone to follow. If they follow you it becomes a sort of follow the leader, they have to do everything you do exactly how you do it. If they succeed in imitating you, you then must pay the entire group a round of beer. Thus why you have to be at least eighteen to participate in these groups. Another costume is the pig bakers. Costume consists of traditional baker garb with fake pig nose and cheeks, as well a long oven paddle. This paddle is used to smack inattentive bottoms. As you can tell you need a very good sense of humour, and a very full wallet to truly enjoy this wonderful celebration. Monday is the scenes, so all the big mistakes and humorous blunders made by known people in the town are re-enacted in Walloon. The Tuesday is the Ardennais and the burning of the Haguette, with symbolizes the end of winter.

The week after this amazing experience I had a rather unfortunate one. Ten minutes into a soccer game I went to a bad tackle and had my knee almost dislocated, at least that’s what it felt and seemed like, as I felt it move out and back in. So I went to the hospital and nothing was broken or torn, just a bad hit. At the time no biggie, the day after when I could barely walk and it had swollen so much you could see it through my jeans I started to worry a little, as I knew the next day I was supposed to be leaving to Berlin with my school. So I stayed home and rested it as much as I could before going off to Berlin. Berlin is a beautiful city, where you can see almost anything and everything architecturally speaking, though this does mean a lot of it was under construction. We then went to a concentration camp, an interesting and humbling experience.

I then got ready for the next big thing, my last family. This family I have known the whole year, and have stayed several nights throughout the year with them, so as a transition it was quite different. Only sad because it made me realize how it’s almost all over, and how little I want to leave.

Well enough ruminating the inevitable, because today I leave for a week in Greece!