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.