Hooked?

In April of this year, I had never been to Antwerp, Belgium. Ever. Which is strange considering I've travelled across half of the world, and Antwerp is much closer than even my parents' house.

So, it was time to change that.

I guess I liked it so much that I went back last month.

Weirdly enough, I am going again on Sunday (for the essential Christmas shopping) ....
How does that happen? Not go to a close-by very fun city for 28 years, and then go three times within six months?

Yes, the sky really was that blue

Talking to Chimera the other day we both agreed that we love the Sartorialist and wouldn't it be cool if we would also have enough guts to make pictures of people. And I don't necessarily want to take fashion pictures of cool people or anything, just an attempt of bringing life into my shots. Because I know just buildings and churches and streets are not all that appealing.

Alas, this is what you will see again when clicking on to the Flickr-shots (not in a seperate set unfortunately, I need to upgrade *sigh*). I just feel weird and embarrased when focusing on people in my pictures. I try to, but these are not out there on Flickr, because it just doesn't really capture what I want to do. I'll keep experimenting I guess.

Koffkes, bollekes & smskes

Okay, trip report on Antwerpen and Leuven before I jump into bed. I was only away on an overnight trip but it feels like a week-long holiday. Perfect example of how good trips don't have to be to far away destinations.

My time in Antwerp was mostly spent wandering the streets and sitting in the sun - along the Schelde river, or on a terrace sipping Belgian beer, or waking up with coffee on the Grote Markt. It didn't matter what, there was sun everywhere. Didn't do much else as I arrived late and most sights turned out to be closed on both days anyway. I didn't really care. The sun was bliss and perfect for clearing my head and making some decisions.

Didn't see much of Leuven either, except a very sunny garden with good food & plenty of champagne and wine. A great afternoon of meeting old friends, talking to new people (I love Flemish! It is too cute!) and celebrating an upcoming wedding (come to think of it, there were no speeches, aren't there always supposed to be speeches?)

And, I should try a new career: professional matchmaker! If all my introductions turn out like this happy couple I could be rich! ;-)

(can you tell I'm trying to keep up the one-post-a-day-momentum?)

(I kept thinking during these past two days that I really really really loved being away from my current life and loved being on foreign trains and wandering through foreign cities... hmmm)

Travel preparations

One of my favourite things (but you probably knew that).

For now though, I'm not going anywhere far away. Just to a close-by place I've never been to: Antwerp.

It's only 2 hours (less?) by train away, but I've never actually gotten out of the train there. So, taking advantage of the pre-wedding party in Leuven next week, I'm planning to spend a day there to see why Antwerp is supposed to be so nice. Expect some new pictures next week! (and if you have any suggestions of things to see and do I'd love to hear it!)

And... *whispers* I'm looking at tickets to London.... Mostly to get away, see some friends and just have fun but it might be the right time to start looking more seriously at job opportunities there as well....