Thinking Things Through

Fancy lunch at SHAPE

It was 8 a.m. when Angeli got the call. Jimmy, one of the groupmates, called to see if she was on her way to the Gare Centraal station for their trip to Maastricht, Netherlands. Of course she had! The whole day before, she had kept in her mind that she needed to be at the station at 8 and in that thought, she set her alarm for 8. It was too late. She'd miss another optional trip. Way to impress her professor. She was sure that by now, she had acquired the image of the least dependable student.

For almost a full 2 hours, she felt the guilt. She indulged in guilt-shopping and guilt-eating to try and get over it but her attempts were like shooting a bullet at Captain America's shield. To get her thoughts together- her thoughts regarding all that had occurred that week, she went on a hunt for a bookstore or a coffee shop. She ended up at McDonald's in Port de Namur. To her surprise, they had wifi, and several people were just sitting solo reading a paper or browsing the internet. Perfect! She fit right in.

The group at NATO Headquarters

She had visited the NATO headquarters to be briefed by an international representative, a representative from the U.S. Mission to NATO, and a German representative. Briefing after briefing, Angeli heard the same answers in different tones. Afghanistan and Syrian atrocities were the main focus. She was lucky enough that day to ask the NATO officials a few questions, although she already knew the answer having read the points from the Chicago Summit. It wasn't enough. None of the answers were satisfying and yet they were, in their own way, justified. How could the world just stand by and not see what was happening in Syria? How many pictures and recordings of horrendous sights have to be released in media for the world to act? But then, inevitably, she knew that with action would come consequences. Aid being sent wouldn't just appear as a gift. It would be sacrifices by her own people. By other nations, risking their lives and giving up something of theirs for those in dire need. For a while she questioned if she even had the right to get mad? If she could not personally do anything about it, then why should she expect the same from someone else?

None-the-less, she temporarily got over it. While sitting in McDonald's, she pulled out her latest copy of The Economist and began reading. The headlines were all about Europe. About whether it would survive the Greek blow. Angeli didn't know what her position was and she wasn't sure who's side to choose, or whether to choose a side or not. But she each moment she spent in another country, she began to realize that she had been living in an American bubble for all of her life.

Formal picture at SHAPE with Polish officer

The visit to SHAPE, NATO's military headquarters, once again humbled her. She was briefed by a Polish officer, a Swedish officer, and finally an American officer. It was all staged, yet very informational. She knew that even those officers probably did not know the full details of what they were presenting (for security reasons of course). She wanted to ask many questions but it was no good. She knew what the answers would be. Maybe she just wanted the reassurance that someone else was thinking the same thing as her. They discussed Afghanistan for a while and how it was now ready to stand on its feet again. It came as a relief for all countries... even America. Yet, something was not setting right with Angeli. While everyone was happy that troops would return home, it seemed to her that the Afghan civilians thought otherwise. Of course, she had no way of knowing, yet, she felt strongly of it. She constantly found herself at this contradiction and did not know what to do about it, and so she pushed it to the back of her mind and hoped to unscramble her thoughts one day when she had solid answers and positions to back.

Waterloo- where Napoleon was defeated.
The lion is made of melted cannons and faces France

She missed quality time with the rest of the group, but spending time with the family opened up new avenues of thought. She saw how European history was such a big part of their lives, how every skirmish that occurred in Europe was taken personally, and how much she had been taking for granted. This day was quite a non-eventful day since Angeli's time in Brussels, but it was one of the most thought provoking she had yet encountered. Someone once said, "For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word." Angeli was patiently waiting for such a realization. Maybe this trip will be more than rewarding!

xoxo

New People, New Places, New Perspective

Venezuelan Captain Jack Sparrow near  Angeli's class

It is said that 'to travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.' Angeli was beginning to see this quite clearly during her stay in Brussels. She appreciated her host family for the most part for being so original and inclusive. Before getting to Brussels, she half expected to be attacked by Green activists and snobbish French people. She was completely wrong. Dinners with the family opened her eyes to their views about politics, religion, and moral values. Surprisingly enough, she found that just like her family, they disapproved of certain political schemes, they liked exploring new religions, and believed that having an open mind was crucial. The daughters, much so like herself, despised waking up early for class, loved listening to Brittany Spears, and believed in pursuing a career that interested them. Not much was different.

Angeli and her friend spot a moving statue

The group enjoying drinks 

The group hanging out at the steps in Brussels

The city of course was a whole different story. The cobble-stone-like streets made it impossible to wear heels. Good thing she didn't like heels to start with. Getting around from place to place was something to be done via the metro. You didn't need a car to live in Brussels. And things to do? The possibilities were limitless! Angeli did so much in 10 days than she would do in a month back home. Her adventures were equally and uniquely memorable.

The Grand Place 

Angeli ordered veggie lasagna at Platesteen

One such event was a night in Brussels with her fellow study abroad group. They all decided to go for a night out to the jazz music festival at The Grand Place. A large stage was set up in the middle of the Grand Place, tables were arranged, and the show was well into its way. Couples were making out, groups of friends were eating and drinking, and everyone was enjoying their time! A little while after, half of the group decided to go grab dinner. They ate at a very interesting place called the Platesteen. Angeli ordered a veggie lasagna dish and enjoyed a good time with the group. Brussels was alive and everyone was enjoying their Friday night! The group later went out for drinks at an odd tavern-like bar. The nights in Brussels were always this lively and always happening. People only wanted to enjoy the end to their rough week and this is what Angeli loved about Brussels!

Angeli and her friend gave up on rowing the boat

Of course this was only one of many adventures Angeli found herself a part of. One of her favorites and quite interesting at the least was her time with the girls at the park. Angeli and her friend indulged in rowing for thirty minutes to realize they had no idea what they were doing! They rammed into a boat with a few Spanish guys who offered to help them (of course it was just a way of getting to know the beautiful young ladies). Angeli quickly shooed them away. All in all, she would say that her day was successful. She was burnt toast and sore from rowing a broken boat but also very happy that she had spent time with wonderful people doing wonderful things.

The park Angeli went to for one of her adventures

These things allowed Angeli to overlook her homesickness and cravings for guacamole (she plans to make some soon having bought the ingredients already). Being vegetarian in Europe was not going to be easy and she had accepted it. Even finding spicy food was going to be harder than the had imagined. But doing things she otherwise couldn't was a reward of a different nature and she was sure to embrace it. They say, 'your big opportunity may be right where you are now.' Well for Angeli, this was it. This was where there was possibility for so many things! Let's hope she makes most of it!

xoxo

The Tourist

Bright and early started the first day of the program. But if anyone knows Angeli, then they know that she was late for the guided tour scheduled for that morning. She got off at Port de Namur metro station and looked around for the rest of the group. Much to her luck, she found them on a charter bus waiting in the traffic for her! From there started the splendid tour of the medieval Brussels.

The Royal Place

The guide, who was also a host father, was quite knowledgeable with Belgian history. His name was Francois van Kan. The bus parked at a beautiful building with tall columns and a statue in front. This place was called the Royal Plaza. All of the administrative work for Belgium and the monarchy occur in that building. According to Francois, if you want to kill Brussels (politically), then one should bomb the Royal Plaza. Angeli had traveled to several places with beautiful architecture, but this piece seemed different and special. Later she found out that this is where the king "works".

Notre Dame du Sablon

Stain-glass window in Notre Dame du Sablon

The tour continued to Notre Dame du Sablon which was a 15th century Catholic church in the middle of the city. Angeli was not surprised to find it beautifully carved in Gothic style. She learned that at one point in the history of Belgium, this church used to be the tallest. A silly thing kings did back in the day was try to build the tallest churches as a symbol of their wealth. She thought, what if they did more meaningful things such as feed the poor or build them a neighborhood, give them clothes, etc.? Nonetheless, they did what they did and now their church has become a tourist attraction. Inside, there were stain-glass windows of the richest colors. The sapphire blue color was practically mesmerizing.They say that it is no longer possible to make the same blue, that it is lost with history. Such wonders should not be mimicked anyways!

The EU Study Abroad group in the garden across from Notre Dame du Sablon

From there Angeli and the rest went to a garden with beautiful statues. Everywhere she looked, Brussels was a pretty garden with fountains, statues, and cobble-stone-like streets. It never seemed to dull her view. Even when the weather was foggy, misty, and gray (as it was the day of the tour) she loved everything she saw.

The Royal Palace

 After that, she was back on the bus ready to tour the rest of Brussels. They passed a street that was filled with buildings of nothing but banks. The streets of Brussels were just beautifully symmetrical. The bus stopped for them to take pictures of the Royal Palace. She could only imagine what royal parties in the palace would be like. After that, they arrived at the Atomium. It was built out of steel for the World Trade Fair. Because the weather was not in favor, the Atomium was barely visible from the distance, but even then, one could see its grandeur. The group stopped for a few minutes to do tourist-y things and take pictures. One the way to the Atomium, they were able to get a quick glance of the King's home. Leopold II was the one who did most of the beautiful construction of Belgium, and the monarchy from then owned so much land just for gardens! They gave some land to build the Atomium later. After the small history lesson, the group had lunch at a restaurant. Lunch for Angeli was salad and fries! From there the group visited several places including the Cathedral St. Michel et Gudule, the Grand Place, and the Cinquantenaire. She was also fortunate enough to see the door on which Karl Marx posted a copy of the Communist Manifesto! Angeli was mesmerized by the reality of her learning. She was in the presence of where historical events had occurred. Events that shaped the world to what it is today. As Julius Caesar once said, "Experience is the teach of all things." Angeli was experiencing everything she'd never she would before!

The streets of Brussels

A glimpse of the King's residence

The Atomium

A series of buildings surround the Grand Place

The Cinquantenaire

Grand Place- The gold is real

The center of Brussels

Cathedral St. Michel et Gudule

Angeli almost standing at the center

xoxo

Bienvenue à Bruxelles!

Finally! She had said her goodbyes and had landed! After 9 hours of flying, Angeli had stepped foot on European land for the first time! Her trip from Atlanta's new international terminal to Brussels was lengthy, but equally interesting. She met a lady who she would say was deeply in love. So in love, that she told Angeli everything about her wedding to everything she loved about her husband. It was quite adorable but at the same time, Angeli could careless. The flight went by with the help of movies. She watched Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Ides of March, and The Notebook. Yes, she made the mistake of watching The Notebook. A mistake it was because she had to hold in all of her tears and could not cry out the lump. But she got over it.

She met up with three other students from the same program after getting off the flight. The next task was to take the train to the Grand Central train station. She got on the train with the others toting her two extremely heavy bags and waited patiently for the train to arrive at its destination. On the way there, they met a boy from America, and this is how the conversation went:
"Hi, are you guys from America?"
"Yes"
"Cool, I'm a sophomore in high school studying in Brussels. I've been here for 6 months now and I'm fluent in French. Oh, and I'm from Philadelphia."
"Wow, we feel like dumbasses now."
"Okay, hope you guys have a good time here and LIVE IT UP."
"Sure!"

Okay, so maybe that wasn't exactly how it went down but it still captures the essence. Right after he left, it struck them, they didn't ask for his name! So Angeli ran down to quickly ask him before he got off. It turns out that his name was Luke. Anyone could have guessed that, eventually. Next, came their stop. They got ready to get off, and got all of their luggage in hand. For a minute, they discussed which exit to take, but as soon as they got to the door and one student got off, the train decided to depart with the other three, including Angeli, still in the train! So that was the story, they missed their stop!

They all finally met up with the rest of the group at the Gare Centrale trying not to look so tourist-ish. It was a failed attempt. For lunch, Angeli had spicy pasta. In Angeli's dictionary, that was not spicy pasta at all. It was what you'd call hint-of-spice pasta. She accepted the fact that food here was just not going to fit her, but that was something she was prepared for. What she was not prepared for was not having euros, an adapter, an umbrella, and a phone. But who said it was going to be easy?

Her host family finally came to pick her up. Two average height Belgians, husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Demaere, helped her with her baggage and took her to their home-- her home for the next three weeks. She fell asleep shortly after and woke up the next day at 11:30 am.

They had four daughters who all welcomed her with a specially cooked, vegetarian brunch. It was something no one had done for her. They all treated her so well, as though she were the most important thing in their life. The oldest daughter had cooked a soy plate with honey barbecue sauce. Later she told Angeli that they used the sauce because it is special and for Americans. They even served salad with ranch. The food was filling and the people were sweet.  The weather was beautiful, as of now, and the day was relaxing. All Angeli was missing was a few things and her family. Things weren't going to be easy, but they will be worthwhile Angeli thought.

And as they say, the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. Well this young American is about read more into the world through her journey in Europe- starting with Brussels, Belgium!




xoxo

Departure's Eve

It was the day before her flight, when it struck Angeli. That overwhelmed feeling of uncertainty, excitement and anxiety. But could you blame her? She had only completed a fourth of her assignment which was due before she landed in Brussels. The professor had warned to not wait till the last minute to complete it but living life on the edge has its toll.

It was 3 a.m. when she decided to pack. She pulled out her winter wardrobe and laid it all out. She thought for a moment about everything she would need: suits, skirts, scarves, pants, shorts, jeans, boots, heels, flats, jewelry, jackets and sweaters, etc. how was it even possible to fit it all in two bags with a weight limit of 50 and 30 pounds? She felt betrayed by the world for a good 2 hours. The cruelty of airlines had crossed it's limits but even then she was helpless to her situation. But as they say, you can't have everything your way!

That day she woke up early to work on her assignment. The days of waking up early had not yet ended and most likely would not. She worked diligently for a few hours and then had lunch with a good friend from high school. They ate at a local Mexican restaurant. Mexican food was what Angeli lived for. Everyday she ate a Mexican être and now going to Belgium almost seemed as though she and Mexican food would have to part their own ways... well at least for 3 months. Right after that she parked herself in front Nail Dynasty to get a pedicure. Her toes looked as though they had fought a war. But the nail workers had magic in their fingers and turn even the most wretched in elegant blocks of color.

Angeli has to now only finish her assignment and print out her boarding passes and then she is set to go! The world dreams of coming to the US and Americans dream of going to Europe. This little American is about fulfill her dream in less than a day. Let's hope she doesn't forget about reality!

xoxo

The Countdown Begins

Flight DL80, ATL to BRU leaves at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012-- only a few days from today. The most interesting thing about that piece of information is, well, that Angeli will be on that flight. Yes, The Angeli Patel, will be going to Brussels, Belgium to study the European Union. Unlike most other study abroad programs, this particular program is set less in a classroom and more in actual site visits-- so its like field trips everyday! She gets to live with a family for three weeks and learn the Belgian/European culture, and to top it off, she will get to do a one month internship (Where? It's a surprise)! Just thinking about all of this made her want to fast forward!

But lets be honest, the countdown had begun since the day she was notified that she was accepted into this program. Recently, the excitement had intensified which resulted in an overly necessary shopping splurge leaving her more broke than Taylor Swift's heart. The interesting thing about this program was that 80% of the time, she would be required to wear business professional attire and the other 20% would be either business casual or casual. Now do keep in mind that in Belgium, its supposed to be weird to be wearing shorts (I bet it's freezing over there) so this limited Angeli to her winter wardrobe. And the fashionista that she is, it did not help that while each American will be shopping in the main aisles of a department store, Angeli would be in the clearance area looking for the remainders or misfits of winter-wear. But she surely was not complaining.

So, all of her shopping was done, all loans taken out, all payments made, all goodbyes said, Delta App downloaded,  and Angeli was prepared. She was so prepared that she even bought the Captain America comics on Marvel.com to read on her flight to Brussels. Even more, she had the Dia Frampton and One Direction album downloaded onto her iPhone, because she knew that the world may turn on her someday but her iPhone would stay loyal to her forever. The only thing that was standing in the way was the pre-trip assigment and packing her millions-of-important things into two, puny, average-sized bags.

Will she be able to pass these obstacles standing in the way of her and Europe? Will she be successful in packing light? Will she lose her baggage on her flight there? Will she be able to live without her iPhone or will she practically die, on-spot, without service? Will her clothes be appropriate for Belgian culture?

Stay tuned!