Report Quatre

This month has had several cultural experiences that will surely never be forgotten. But before we get to that I’ll just fill in where I left off.

My host mother returned from Egypt safe and sound, with stories to tell and a little gift for each of us. I received a red Egyptian soccer jersey. That weekend I got to play two soccer matches, one for the Junior team (age group up), and one with the “scolaires”. We lost with the Juniors, 4-2, but I scored my first Belgian goal! I then quite happily went on to win a game with my team the next day. A crushing match of 4-0 in an absolute mud pit of a field. I then of course went back to school. But only for two days, cause then I was off to Ypres to experience the Armistice they hold there.

It was just me and another Canadian the first day, then we were joined by some others the next. It’s hard to describe what I felt; certain amount of it was certainly a simple lack of capacity to take in all that I was seeing. To look at a well kept green space, looking at the simple beauty of the white stone, and know that over eleven-thousand dead men, some barely a year old than me, lay beneath my feet. We went to see the cemeteries by bike, the best way I think, though we ran out of time to go all the way out to Passchendaele. We came back just in time to grab a bite to eat, watch the parade, then stand with the countless others and listen to the ceremony beneath Menin Gate. That night we went back to another town to explore and stay at a youth hostel with three other Rotary students. The next morning we returned to Menin Gate to take part in the 82 year old daily tradition, of the playing of The Last Post. Once again the place was filled with people. Countless heads staring up at the countless names of lost soldiers engraved upon the walls of Menin Gate. After we stopped for a bite to eat then took the train back.

My next great experience was going to see the Opera of Liège. It was a Rotary event, and therefore jampacked! This was only made even more interesting by the fact it wasn’t actually held in the Opera house, but in an Opera tent. The actual Opera house of Liège is under construction at the moment. The show itself was La Bohème. I was very glad of this as it is one of the few that I actually roughly know the story of. It was extremely well done, with amazing costumes, great scenery and some great booming voices. But alas I was very, very disappointed at the end. For if you know La Bohème, you know, “MIMIIIIIIIII!!!”♪. It didn’t really happen. Not a good way to end a show. Nonetheless I had a great time with some great friends from all over the world.

Next great experience would have to be the Lutins hike. Scouts are a big thing here, and most do them or have done a form of them. Similar to the other one I did, it consisted of an evening, two nights, a day and a morning. All of these filled fun, smiles and laughter. Except for me. My Sunday morning consisted of much barfing and regretting every little snack I ate the night before, blaming each one for my sorry state. Putting aside the messy end, it was a great weekend that really helped with my acceptance among the little Lutins.

The next was St. Nicholas. Now this is celebrated in many different ways and places. It starts with little candies in your shoes every morning for a couple weeks at the end of November into December. This goes on until the day of St. Nicholas itself (December 4 this year) when St. Nicholas brings you presents and platefuls of candy. Seeing as I stayed at my third host family the night before then went back to my first the morning of I scored double on the candy front. The next celebration is at school. The Rhetos (grade twelve equivalents) all gate personalized shirts or lab coats depending on the school. They also prepare a big spectacular show with plenty of audience participation. But from the moment you get to school that day, they do something a little special. They chase everyone around the school trying to face paint/makeup on them. As I decided not to resist and rather embrace it, I got covered. The Rhetos then afterwards go for a party. It was one of the greatest school spirit events I’ve been to and only wish I could stay another year to be part of it.

The last big cultural experience was going Aachen to the Winter Market with Rotary. It was a beautiful day/evening, perfected by the snow and chilly weather. Oh, did I mention that, WE HAVE SNOW!!!!!!! TONS OF SNOW!!!!!!!!!! It’s irritating for the people here, BUT I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! But back to Aachen. It was great to finally leave the country, even though Aachen isn’t that far out. We saw many great artisan items, but unfortunately they were all too fragile, expensive, or non-European for me to justify buying anything.

Well that has been my most culture filled month so far I think, can’t wait to experience the next!

Hike... BLAAAAAGH!

Two weeks ago now, I went on a hike with Les Lutins. This is the scout group I am leader of. The name is rather unsuiting considering we did a total of zero kilometers of hiking. It wasn't even in the agenda. It was more like a fun two night sleepover. So the first night we didn't do a whole lot, just got everyone settled, explained a few things then said goodnight. The other leaders and I then went down to the kitchen to celebrate one of the other leader's birthday. Which was rather interesting as her birthday "pie" was in the car, and when Marie (chief leader) went to get it, Justine (b-day girl) ran after her because she didn't want hergoing out alone. So that meant I had to follow and try to distract Justine. Thankfully she dropped her cell and so I just leaned in and tried to seem really interested in the scratches while Marie sneaked the pie out of the car and intomy hands behind my back. We succeeded and it was a great surprise for Justine.

The next morning we started the main game. The theme for the weekend was superstars. So we created a sort of big version of Cluedo. They were told that Michael Jackson had died and that they had to find the killer, the weapon and the scene of the crime. They were all given lists of possibilities for each section. They then had to cycle through the leaders and complete a challenge at each one. If they succeeded (they all always did) they got the chance to suggest a scenario. Now the leaders had printed out little pictures, one for each possible option (except the correct options), that were then dispersed to the leaders. So when the kids suggested a scenario if they mentioned one of the pictures we had, we would show it to them, and they could mark it off as not the answer. This took up most the day and was very entertaining.

Later in the evening they all dressed in their superstar outfits for a name the song test and to show us their group dances and chants. Before that I had a rather interesting surprise. At suppertime we had mashed potatoes with sausage and applesauce. One of the other leaders took the big serving spoon and smeared mashed potatoes on my face. So I what I could, then wiped the rest off on her with a bisous.

The next day I was sick and therefore slept for the whole of the day. But a fun time nonetheless.

MIMIIIIIII!!!!!!!!

As the more operatically savvy of you have no doubt already guessed, this post is about me seeing La Bohème. It was another Wednesday Rotary trip. We all (and I mean all, the place was packed with exchange students) went off to Liège to see the Opera. My first thought of course, brought on by the misleading pictures of the Liège Opera that they showed us, was the we were going to a great, big and marvelous opera house. Turns out said "house" is under construction, and therefore we were arrived at a great, big and marvelous opera tent. When we arrived most of us hadn't eaten, so Diana (my oldie from Australia), Denise (girl from Mexico/Texas) and I went to find something to eat. We found a nice little panini/pizza/pasta/boulangerie just a block away from the "tent". I had one of the biggest paninis I have ever seen. Denise was still hungry after and had a hankering for some fries, something fairly common here. So quickly grabbed some fries and went back to the opera to make sure we weren't late. So there we were, waiting outside the opera, with our best duds on, eating some greasy, salty, irresistible fries. The looks we got were absolutely priceless.

The opera itself was great. The set was really well done and well used. As some of you may know, La Bohème is what the rock opera RENT was based on. It is very evident, not only in the names but in several of the scenes and songs. Though the dragqueens and drugs were a little lacking. Surprisingly, for an opera, it seemed short, possibly because the entire second act was Mimi dying. Which I had no problem with, the only problem I had with the entire show... was the ♪MIMIIIIIIIII!♪

Mainly because, it didn't happen. I waited the entire show to hear the famous last word belted out in an operatic splendour, and he didn't do it. Instead he did two little mimis.

But besides the horrible betrayal of my expectations, it was a great show and I would gladly see it again. As long as they assured me a real MIMIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remembrance Day in Ypres

So I did something special for Remembrance day. Something I will never forget and hope to do again. Another Canadian and I went to Ypres, to explore the cemetery's and see the official ceremony.

We started off with the In Flanders Fields museum. Belgians definitely have a talent for museums, and this one was no exception. It was the perfect thing to do to get yourself in the appropriate mood for a Remembrance day visit.

We then rented two bikes from a local hotel to go see the cemeteries. I think it's the best way to do it. Though it is a fair distance and we did run out of time in the end, you just wouldn't get the same feel speeding by in a car. We visited several cemeteries, in a coincidentally ascending order in the size's of the cemeteries. Seeing all those numbers, all those statistics my whole life about all those who died, after seeing all those photos every year, one would think that there aren't many more surprises. But nothing really sums up the devastation of those wars, like seeing the rows upon rows of tombstones. So many you can't even fit them all into a single camera shot. And as you walk between them knowing that you are walking over all these men, and then looking and seeing just how many have no name, how many will never have a family visit them, how many will just fade and conform into the background. Over eleven thousand were buried in the last cemetery we visited. How many will continue to have poppies laid upon them? How many will only feel the rain?

Report Trois

Where to start. Well, the last report I left off as being sick, which I was, but only for a day. It just so happened that on week later I was sick again. Except in a different and slightly worse way. Seeing as these were both Mondays, I was really feeling Garfieldish. But alas once again it did not last and I was in again in fine form the next day.

To be completely honest, the last month has gone by so fast, I’m having trouble remembering what happened when, so if you can bear with me, I’ll try to give some highlights.

Sports: I finally started playing soccer! I’ve played three matches now. The first we lost 6-2. So pretty bad. But I got myself the nickname the bear from Canada, so not all was bad. The second which was against the top team our league we tied 0-0, so a definite improvement. The third we won 2-1 and I had an assist! As you can see our team is on the rise, unfortunately a little too late as we’ve already lost too many to make it to the championship. On a happier note however, I have been asked to play with the next age group up as well as my team this weekend as they need some extra players, so I’ll be having a jampacked nonstop soccer weekend! The guys on my team are great, and we have a lot of fun.

School: Though still very tough, I do believe I’m starting to improve and perhaps reach the level required. As before my friends are all just as supportive and helpful, though I am now making more and more, so much so that even one of the Belgians was impressed. An interesting little something we did in school say goodbye to our principle, we did this with the whole school dancing a pre-choreographed dance to Mika’s Love Today. It was a fun and interesting way to say goodbye.

Rotary: A rather uneventful month for Rotary, I had one meeting with my local host where I had to do a little presentation about my arrival. It went over very well, and I had several compliments for my French.

Scouts: I did two big things with scouts this month. One as a leader with the “lutins” where we went around town selling clown noses for an organization of clowns who go to children’s hospitals and retirement homes to entertain and bring happiness to places that can be rather sad at times. I made sure to keep one to pin on my blazer, as you never know when you might just need to make someone laugh. Two weekends later I joined in with my host brothers’ scouts group for a hike weekend. The hike itself was quite brutal. In total I would say around three hours of hiking, if not four. Out of this three, around two was spent in field/marsh/swamp. This wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t already almost 7:30 when we started, so this was all in the dark. Never been happier for light pollution. It was a fun weekend though, as they gave it a little Halloween touch.

Now I can only really think of to talk about is my last week. This past has been holidays for me. Don’t ask me why, I couldn’t tell ya. But as my host mother has left for Egypt, alone. All my host siblings, and I have been distributed to several different family members for care. I am with Baudouin with their grandparents in Verviers. Though there is not a whole lot for “youth” to do here in Verviers, I got to some nice sightseeing with the grandparents, have fun with the little cousins who came over for three of the days, make a traditional Canadian dinner (which was a success!), and help destroy and rebuild a driveway.

Though I would love to tell you all about the various things I’m very excited about for the next month, I wouldn’t want to spoil the next report. So until then, keep enjoying Ontario’s feel good town!

Les Clowns!

One of the many things I do here in the lovely town of Spa is help with their version of scouts. I am a "lutin chef". So I help look after the girls ranging from 8-12? I think. This every Saturday, and this Saturday we did something a little special. We split the girls into five groups and went around town selling clown noses! It was 2 euros a nose and all the money went to an organization of clowns who go to hospitals and retirement homes to entertain the sickly. After we sold almost all our noses, we met up on "the clown bus". A normal city bus decked out with balloons and some of the kids clown art, equipped with megaphone for singing of silly songs. There we learnt songs, at a snack, and the girls who made the best clown art pieces won prizes! And not mediocre here's water squirting flower prizes. The first group (the girls made the clown art in groups of six) got a free helicopter ride! The second group got a free movie outing. Now seeing as helicopter rides are little hard to organize, and half the girls were terrified at the idea, we've decided to sell them and go to something together as a whole group instead. It was great fun, and I now have to clown noses to sew onto my blazer! Not to mention to use in ridiculous pics.

Report deux

First and foremost I must once again apologize for the lateness of my report, but I’ve been so distracted I didn’t even think of it until I started seeing the other reports. And the past week has been quite busy full of late nights which don’t work too well for me as I am now quite certain that I am sick. But now on to the adventures!

So school has been GREAT! From the first everyone has been very accepting of me. Two in particular have been really great and been looking after me the whole time, and we have now become good friends. The schooling itself has been difficult. My school is renowned throughout my region as being very difficult and strict. So as the subject matter is a bit higher than what I am used to I have not being doing as well as I might’ve hoped. But I think it’s good for me and I’m still learning tons. I’m also learning a lot of great slang and useful French words. Like “la pois” which is perfect for describing my luck with trains and buses. When you have “la pois” it means you have bad luck… repeatedly. So though I have had my share of unfortunate incidents which have included a lot of running, asking for directions and getting a little stressed, I now know the cities and the train and bus system way better than before, and have almost complete confidence in myself with the trains now.

Soccer has been really good as well. But due to my coach having a heart attack (he is fine now) I will not be affiliated until next week, which means my first game will be two weeks from today! I feel that I have been already accepted into the team and look forward to finally being able to play with them. Especially since I have finally learnt how to properly kick a soccer ball. Which though it sounds weird is true.

My drama program in Malmedy has been great too! Mainly because it is allowing me to get to know my third host family, as the program itself can be rather slow. It must also be said that I like it because ever since I told the mother of my third family how I love almost all foods and would love to try new she has officially made Mondays our “exotic” food days. So far I have had some Moroccan couscous and Belgian boar! I felt like Asterix and Obelix while chowing down on the deliciously sweet meat. They have also made plans for me to go see the “croix blancs” in Verviers in the upcoming week. It’s a cemetery from the World Wars.

I’ve also done some fun stuff with Rotary. The first trip we visited the Mine de Blegny, an ancient coal mine now used as a museum. It was quite interesting. I unfortunately missed the next two due to complications. Such as not figuring how to sign up because I forgot they told us to use Explorer and I use Safari, and having a wedding the same day. A wedding which was far too interesting to pass up. It was the marriage between my host mother’s youngest brother and a Philippine girl. It was only the legal marriage as they are doing the religious one in the Philippines. It was very interesting though as I had just been studying the laws of marriage in social sciences at school. But even more interesting was later that day at the dinner celebration when I found I had been deliberately sat beside a lady I had never met because she had gone to Canada sixteen years ago on exchange. Not only that but she stayed in the Peterborough and Fenland Falls area so she had actually been to Cobourg before! The first person I’ve met whose heard of Cobourg! She wasn’t to happy though when I pointed out that she was there the year I was born but I thought it very interesting.

The next day I went to the University of Liège for a science presentation. It was fascinating though far too condensed to really fully understand the concepts. I then returned to school for about ten minutes before I left for Grand Prix circuit of Francorchamps. There I helped serve snacks and beverages and got to watch some of the cars whipping by. I did that until about eight thirty then left to eat supper with the Rotary members. It was a great and fascinating day.

Just yesterday I went to Namur (the capital of Wallonia) to see their parliament and go for a two hour boat ride. Though lacking in much structure and activity some good friends helped make it very fun and memorable.

Throughout these days I have been feeling a cold coming and going, but I definitely now have something a little more. But no worries as I’m sure my host mother has had more than enough experience with dealing with sick children having seven of her own. Hope all is going well in the Bourg!

For all you Asterix and Obelix fans

My third house family is looking like they're gonna be an amazing experience. Though this a bit odd to say so early on, let me give my reasonings.

Numero 1: They love literature and language (the father's a language teacher).

Numero 2: The daughter loves theatre and I've joined for drama courses every Monday.

Numero 3: The younger son loves music, has his own recording studio/mixing studio in his room and wants to not only help him with english lyrics but possibly do some vocals for him!

Numero 4: They're soccer fanatics!

Numero 5: The mother works for the government therefore travels a lot and can sort out any troubles I have.

Numero 6: They love chess!

Numero 7: They love puzzles!

Numero 8: I saved the best for last... since I told my host mother of that family that I love foods and would love to try new ones, Monday's have become exotic food night! And last night I had WILD BOAR!!!! I felt like beating up Romans making menhirs!

Officially left my mark!

So I had an interesting experience today. Not interesting like the others where I got lost for hours on end. I have been going to mass with my family the last three weeks. It's done in a little chapel that used to be a school room. It is significantly shorter than most catholic masses I have experienced only going for around half an hour to forty-five minutes. And though I have only been to three I've already been part of two very special ones. One was a goodbye mass to their priest from Burundi, very interesting as he used African proverbs for as his sermon.

The one today was interesting as the location changed a bit. We were outside in the schools basketball court. With a little canopy tent set up and a building under construction behind it. This building is an expansion on the school which my three younger host siblings go to. So once again there was an interesting twist in the sermon as the priest incorporated the construction into it. Mainly because they had a block of cement from the building that they are going to insert into the building with a sheet of paper, no doubt blessed, and signed by everyone there today. Which includes me! So I have officially left my mark inside that building, and who knows how long it'll be there!

I know Liège sooo well now!

I'm thinking that maybe having fun in Liège just isn't meant to happen for me. Unless of course running train stations and asking directions is fun. So what happened this time? Well I left school on the bus that goes to the closest train station. I'd done this before and therefore thought not much of it. Not until of course the bus stopped for a good ten minutes behind quite a lengthy line of cars. Turns out there was a bike racing going on and we had to stop to let it pass. Needless to say I missed my train. Luckily so did someone else I know from school so she helped me find another bus to yet another trainstation to catch yet another train. This we do with success. But once I get to Liège I have to take another train to another trainstation in Liège. No problem if you happen to know how many trainstations there are in Liège. I didn't, so I got off on too early, got a little lost but finally got to the café. We were meeting for Thiago's birthday, and I was about an hour and a half late so most people had already drank a fair amount. I was tired and frustrated and didn't really feel like drink as I had to leave and less than an hour to be sure I find my way back in time for soccer. So I wished Thiago happy birthday and left. I then found the trainstation I was supposed to get off at took it to the main one then took it to a transfer station. I left early because I wanted to as I hadn't had a chance yet due to all of my running around. But alas I should've have just stayed for a drink as when I got to the transfer station I had to 50 min. before my train came. I then went to the train station in Spa where I went straight to soccer on a bus where I learnt my coach had a heart attack earlier that day and won't be out of hospital until at least Sunday. Therefore practise was cancelled. Thankfully we still skirmished anyways just to practise so I got some needed stress relieving kicking done. Now I just some stress relieving sleeeeeeeeeep!

My first report! on time for Tom a bit late for the Blog

Although I've only been here two weeks and a half, I already love it here! Communication has been much easier than I thought it would be. Since the moment they picked me up from the airport it’s been all smiles and bisous. Which I may add are not that easy to accustom yourself to. For example a guy came up to me at soccer the other night, totally deadpan look on his face, and my first thought is of course “oh no I’ve made enemies already,” he then leans in and gives me a bisous. For those of you not aware of the meaning of bisous, it is the one cheek kiss that everyone does here. So though I’m not accustomed to it yet I’m sure when I come back to Canada I’ll so accustomed to it I’ll be offended if you don’t bisous me. So be warned.

But apart from that little side note I feel that I am fitting quite nicely with this first family. I get along with all the seven of the members pretty well I’d say. I’ve already done so many things with all the other family members as well I hardly know where to start. I’ve been to Brussels twice now. Once with my family when we dropped my host sister to the airport (she’s in Texas now). They took me on a little tour to all the major places like the “Grand Place” and “Petit Mannequin qui Pis” as well as the Tintin Boutique. And though waffles were at every corner I have yet to try one. Mainly because much to my surprise they don’t think of waffles as their national food. For them it is fries and nothing else. In fact when I told them that most people I know think fries are from France cause we call them French fries I thought they were gonna freak and break something. Just to prove how much they love fries they have a mini deepfrier to make home made fries here at my house.

The Second time I was in Brussels it was with Rotary. Albeit all the buildings were of very high interest the amount of waiting we had to do in between was tiring and made it hard to focus on what was being explained. Let’s face it politics are hard enough to understand without having to stand around waiting for a couple hours before hand. It was great to meet the other exchange students.

It was the exchange students who made the next Rotary meeting worth going to. As this one was just the district I’m in, and was essentially a huge reiteration of all the rules, though there is a new one which may be of interest. The infamous Carré that I have heard every Belgian exchange student talk about has been officially forbidden. Personally I’m not all the phased by it, there’s many other ways to enjoy a Wednesday.

Unfortunately because this meeting lasted the whole weekend I ended missing the Grand Prix. But I did get to see the Retrofolies, the biggest old carshow I’ve ever seen. And because I met some fairly amazing people at the Rotary meeting it all evens out I guess. Though it was in trying to meet these friends that I had one of my most interesting adventures yet. So the plan was to meet at the train station in Liège and just go hang at a park or café. So I was told 2 when everyone else was told 1. So I had to try and find them with only over cellphone directions. Needless to say it didn’t work out too well and I ended up spending an hour and a half walking lost in Liège. But I found them and still had a good time. And heck now I know Liège way better than before.

I start school on Monday, and though I am a bit nervous I think tonight will help as I am going to little outing where a lot of kids from my school will be. So here’s hoping that all goes well!

Retrofolies!

tables of old car parts, in fact there were tables of every old car thing you could think of.







we were all quite thoroughly confused by this one





Coolest wheels




Backtracking to the carshow.

The little guy is a cousin.

What's the best way to learn the nooks and crannies of a city... get lost in it! :D

So, had a very interesting day today. Took the train into Liège to meet up with some rotary friends. By myself, pretty proud. Get there at around 2:00 pm and no one's there (I found out later they had arranged 1:00 pm to meet at the station not 2:00 pm). No worries though I pull out the cell phone and call up a friend. He has no idea where they are, so he hands me over to Chase, the Australian who's been here for 6 months already. So he gives me directions. I follow them and after a few improvised detours eventually ended up where I thought was the right place. He told me to turn my back to the Cathedral and go to my left. I did so not knowing he meant the other side. So after walking and looking and asking if what I was waiting at was actually the Cathedral I did a complete loopdee loop and came back to the same bloody Cathedral. It was then I got my friend to get of the Café to come meet me. He didn't see me, so I finally figured out it was the other side. Of course by then it was 3:30 pm. Which means I had an hour before I had to leave, half of which was spent just trying to find something to eat. So only half an hour socialization, but at least now I know Liège better :S

PICS! FINALLY!!! These are ones of us dropping Lau Lau of at the Airport and touring Brussels.

So essentially all my fav Brussels pics up to this point!