Or, as I have named it,...........break down in a public toilet day.  Come on, we all knew it was going to happen.  I wish not but..........this is me we are talking about.  I warned you.  I warned myself.  Despite my best efforts, break down in the public toilet occurred.  Except it wasn't a toilet, in was a restaunt, which could be worse, really.  It felt like everyone was staring at me, but it was so busy in there, probably not.  I hope not anyhow.    To make it worse, the supplies I brought along for just such an event were absolutely useless.  I had pictures of home........they made me bawl harder.  The play list?  Made me think......you are not any of those things, you big loser.  I even had two printed out pages of snippets from emails and things filled with encouragement, and I couldn't read it because my eyes were so blurry.   Big loser is right.   Loser T.

Eventually I got it together, thanks to this little teeny tiny blonde toy someone send me. To bring along.  I forgot I had her, but she made me smile.  And so I carried on.  Not really any choice was there?   Nope.  The show must go on.  

So, the bus was full but luckily I sat in the aisle seat and no one sat beside me.  I think I was the only one who had that.  The other singletons got stuck with strangers.  That, and I had my grump face on for just such a reason.  Couldn't deal with that today, I just couldn't.   The commentator was awful.  Truly.  Frank was his name, and no, Frank - Mr. Chain smoker - you are not eating aa tip with you lackluster commentary and tsk tsk directed at those of us you tsk'd for not following your recommendations regarding food and drink and boat cruises.  No.  You get a kick back for it - I saw them give me money based on the people that came inside - so just NO.  I do not need to pay 24 euros for lunch when I can go across the road and spend 5 euros for a grilled cheese, fries and a coke.   No.  This was highly reminiscent of the Stonehenge debacle of the 90's but I will save that for another day.  Some of you know the story.  No tip. I don't care what you say. 

So.  Now that I have all,the grump and bawling out of the way and a fresh cup of tea.what did I like?  They took us to the cathedral in Ghent.  We really only had about an hour in that town.  I wandered around in the crypt .........and it was kind of......crypt- y and creepy.  And cold.  Lots of old things from the middle ages though, so,that was kind of interesting.  Went and got a coffee and wandered in the shops, which might have been the beginning of the melancholy, because the shop owner was so nice, and the little dog so friendly.   I never should have pet that dog.  It was the beginning of all my troubles.  

Bruges is very very beautiful. My dad would have loved it. I wish I could post pictures on this dumb thing, because I would like to show you.  The architecture and the buildings.  So pretty.  All the canals and little shops.  Easily could have spent several days there exploring.  The only down thing is all,the tourists.  Because there are thousands of them.  Me included.  I couldn't help but think that the locals must hate it.  There were two elderly ladies, helping each other down one of the side streets, where it was quiet, and they were just shaking their heads at the craziness.  Not that I blamed them.  It was chaos.  But beneath all that.......really beautiful. 

I was going to take a canal cruise, as they suggested, but it started snowing.  Yes, snowing.  Where are we?  Canada?  Hehe.  It was so so so cold.......I just couldn't face getting colder.  Yes, mum and B, I had a sweater and a coat and a scarf, and I was still cold!  BRRRRRRRR!  Anyhow, it was a lovely lovely afternoon, despite the cold weather and the breakdown.  If only my leg felt better.   Ugh.  I am becoming a cripple.  Luxembourg tomorrow will be a challenge.  But the show must go on.

Bruges is really beautiful......the swans and the horses and the Lake of Love.  I will,post pictures when I get home.  Let's hope no. Bawling in Luxembourg ladies.  I can't take any more.  I'm allowed one, that's it.  And I've had it.  

You know, there is something comforting about watching Back to the Future, after a sort of meh day.  Even with the Dutch subtitles, it makes me feel better.  

T.
Xxx

So, I know a lot of Il Divo fans read these blogs - strange how the numbers keep going up - ot that I am complaining.   Anyhow......I just though I would say some of the little things that I notice about them.  Stuff I would find interesting.......I am all about the behind the scenes stuff and the little quirks I noticed.  Not that I know about behind the scenes - although I would LOVE to - but I like the out of the norm stuff.  So, here goes.

David is very theatrical.  To the point that it was almost comical to me.  Don't hate me for saying that, it's just my observation.  I don't know if he means to be l,e that and if it is genuine - but it didn't seem like it to me.  It seemed a bit weird and over the top to be honest.  The faces he made and the arm movements and doubling over.........too much.  That in no way reflects on the quality of his voice, because it is beautiful, but the fake theatrics are not necessary.  Unless that is really how he is.  But I don't think so.  No one is that into singing.  It was like he wwas trying to win an award or something.........but, again, his voice was perfect and beautiful.  I just don't think he needs to augment it the way that he does. 

Urs is serious.  Serious but when he laughs or smiles, his whole face changes and it's like sunshine.   He spoke a lot in Dutch, even sang in Dutch.  I had no idea what he was saying, but the crowd loved it.  And he laughed a lot, but was serious almost an equal amount.  Sometimes he closes his eyes and mouths along to the others parts, like the music is just washing over him.  It's much more subtle than David.   But maybe they express it differently, right?  Oh, and he wears this amazing grey suit at the end.  It's awesome!

Sebbie is like a musician.  You can tell he plays a lot of instruments.  His hand is constantly going at his side.  Whenever there is certain percussion From the orchestra or different melodies, he's going along with the rhythm and keeping time.  His hand punching the air..  It's sweet.  And a big smile on his face.   Oh, and I love that he has all these silver bracelets on his wrist.  Suits him. 

Of course, I left Carlos for last.  Hehe.  He flirts and it's cheese and everything else that you know and love and hate about him.  There is nothing new there.  But his voice.............there is none that can compare.  He hits those notes and I get chills.  And at one point got 'upset' with Seb for feeling his butt.   LOL. Cheese, cheese cheese.  Oh, and he has either a rash or a sunburn on his chest.  It's strange.  The colour is normal, and about the third undone button, his chest is bright red.  It looks painful, really.  Someone jokes that maybe it was waxing gone wrong. LOL.  But I don't think so.  It looked like a skin condition.  Poor guy. 

I could write a million other things, but I promised myself a 10 pm bedtime tonight.  Early morning and long day tomorrow.  Full report of that if I am not too tired.  I seem to be awfully busy, don't I?   Wow.

Oh, before I forget, Leuven is a lovely town.  And the market,  I can't get over the flowers at all the stalls!  And how none expensive they are!   So, so, pretty!  And they have pansies already!   :). Thanks for showing my around, B!  I love your town!  I even know how to pay for the bus now.  Hehe.e

Okay, night night people.   Big hugs. 

T.
Xxxxx

Oh oh oh oh!  There is so much to say and so little time and so little cooperation from the iPad.  I don't care what anyone says.....its a terrible contraption.  Maybe mine is defective.  Mine's broken.  These are broken.  (movie quote anyone?). Let's see what I can do.   Umm.......where to start?  

B's mama was our chauffeur to Antwerp.  Brave mama.  The traffic and freeways are crazy crazy here.  But she did a great great job!  We arrived early but it was a good thing.  Had time to get our tickets and have a drink and get settled.  Oh! And buy some souvenirs.  Hehe.  Magnets!  They have magnets!  I have all kinds of concert magnets on my fridge - the boy fridge I call it!  But I didn't have divo.  Now I do!  Yay!

This couple -VERY POSH - saw my Canadian passport as I was getting my tickets and they approached me about it.  So we had a little chat.  They were obviously "important" or thought they were.  I felt a bit out of my element, but i can hold my own, i guess.  Thankfully i was dressed nice.  That gives confidence, you know?  And so does working for Loverboy for years.  Youmjust get through.  Plus, being excited about divo doesnt hurt.  Hehe.  Anyhow, They were very nice, but very french Canadian.  Turns out they are from Westmount in Montreal and live in Brussels for work.  I found out later work was NATO.  Ya, NATO.  He gave me his business card and told me to email him for Divo pictures. We'll see.  He did have a really good camera.  Anyhow, it was interesting.  

The concert was just amazing.  AMAZING!!!!  The show was starting, and I looked away for some reason......and when I looked back, of course there they were!  Coming up out of the floor. And sounding just spectacular!  I think I might have teared up a bit, but mostly I just smiled like an idiot, because I couldn't believe I was there!  And they were there!  And I was in Antwerp.  It was just........ya.  So so so so cool!  

I could tell you the songs and the schtick that they do, but those reports are a dime a dozen.  Their repertoire is much more relaxed than it used to be, looser and funnier, and it really seems like they try to outdo each other in trying to make their mates and the audience laugh.  Some of the gags are obviously part of the show even though they are meant to be 'original' moments, but I say just go along for the ride.  It's fun and so much better than the stiffness of previous shows.  I like it and they made me laugh.  Their smiles are infectious and it's fun.  Of course, their voices  are absolutely beautiful.  So much that it gives you chills at the most unexpected moments.  Especially when Urs is staring right at you!  LOL. My seat was pretty much centre, and for some reason we got a lot of Urs.  Not that. Am complaining.  We got a lot of Carlos too.

Ok, gonna post this and continue with part two in case iPad decides to act up.   

To be continued..........

This is Carlos laughing at me because I can't make up my mind.  Is it 3 days until I go, or 4?  Technically, I guess 4.  It's about 97 hours until the plane takes off, so 4 right?   But........Thursday, Friday, Saturday......and then I leave on Sunday.  Night.  3 days.  See............I can't make up my mind.  *giggle*  Laugh, Carlos, Laugh.  I am! 

Okay, so, with 4 or 3 days to go until I leave, I thought I'd best post an update.  The big news?  I've got a new passport!  YAY!  Probably the single most important piece of this whole puzzle.  I wouldn't be going anywhere if I didn't have a passport.  So I guess I'm glad I paid that extra $30 for the rush fee.  :P   So, it looks like we're on.  I'm going.  Ai Yi Yi.   It's real!  Belgium!  In 3 days! 

I have to say things are slowly coming together.  Finally.  Passport in hand.  Euros in my pocket.  Supplies purchased.  Piles of stuff in the spare bedroom ready to be put into the suitcase.  I need to alter my dress still, but that won't take long.   OH!  I got a gorgeous, gorgeous necklace for it today!  It's this amazing blue and I don't even normally wear blue!  But this was just so.......sparkly and perfect!  I love it!  I hope it looks okay when I put it all together.  *giggle*  I guess I'll know in a week!  (Don't worry, I'll do a dry run here!  What girl wouldn't?)

So, tomorrow I pack and get myself completely organized.  I took the day off and that is the plan.   I'm feeling rather calm at the moment, which is a bit strange, but I always do better with a looming deadline.  Always.  In work.  In life.  I pull it together when there is a deadline.  And I do a great job of it.  Usually.  So, there is a deadline of 3 or 4 days.....I have a plan and it will be executed and all will be fine.  Right?  Right.  Si, si Senorita.  :)   It's strange that this calmness is coming over me; I expect a freak out any day.  A big, hysterical tears freak out.  But maybe it won't come.   And if I does, I hope it doesn't happen at the airport!   EMBARASSING!   So, I'll keep you posted as I go along.  I don't want to say I feel 'better' but I am calmer and thinking maybe I can do this.  I can do it, right?   

I think we need a Belgian lesson tonight before I sign off.  I was told that beer is big in Belgium.  So, imagine........a Brewin Brewing Beer in Belgium.  :P   I don't drink beer.  I can't tell you the last time I had one.  But Belgium has 178 breweries.  I might have to drink some.  Apparently there is a cherry beer?  I might like that.  Something light and fruity that doesn't taste like beer.  Does such a thing exist?  Don't tell me to try all 178 until I find one I like!  LOL.    But maybe I should have at least ONE beer or half a beer when I'm there, right?    I'll think about it.  There must be something to it since so many people like it.   hehehehe

Oh!  On the topic off food - okay, we weren't really talking about food but close enough - a 13 year old boy gave me a hug today because I promised I'd email him a picture of a Belgian waffle.  The boy is crazy for waffles it seems.  LOL.  Okay, Mr. Kyle, deal.    And on the menu for my department lunch today was Mussels and Frites.  Yes, Frites.   I also know that is a Belgian dish.  Look at me!  How much I've learned since we started!   But while I might drink beer, I don't think you're going to get me to eat mussels.  :P   Yuck. 

Here's a map of Belgium for you to study.  Maybe see if you can figure out where I'm going to be.  :)   You can follow me on my travels.   (sorry, couldn't get the beer pic to load in the right spot!) 

Okay, Lovelies.  Nighty Nighty time for me.   Would you like an update tomorrow?  When it's T Minus 3 Days (or 2 days?)  Not that I have a clue what to blog about.   I'm about tapped out.   What else is there to cover off?  Suggestions?  

T. 
xx 

That title makes me think of a song.  What doesn't?  LOL.  Does anyone know the
Canadian band Bare Naked Ladies?  (Strange name, I know!)  Anyhow, they had had song that went something like........."Its been one week since you looked at me........"    Ya, okay, that's all I remember.  :P  And I'm too lazy to google it.

So, Hello!!!!   I haven't been in here for days.  Yikes.  I hope you're still following along, all you cyber readers.  I am running out of time and running out things to blog about.  And the more I blog, the more real it becomes.  At this point, I'm not sure I want it to be real.  ONE WEEK!   I'm leaving in ONE WEEK!  And have you guessed yet?  I'm freaking out!   Freaking, Freaking, Freaking! 

Why?  Well, there's not really words for why, I guess.   It's just me.  I freak out.  And then I do it anyhow.  Yesterday, I was close to tears several times; completely overwhelmed.  I know I'll have a day in the next week where I will completely lose it and will sob my little heart out.  I'm a weirdo.  I know that.  And I wish I was different, but that's just how I roll.  I'm scared to even think about I'll be like next week at this time.   Not good, I'll tell you that.  What the heck was I thinking, believing I could do this? 

No point belly-aching I guess.  So, what else can we talk about?  Well, how about some packing advice?  LOL.  Yep, still having dilemma's.  I don't want to overpack, but I just need to bring some stuff, you know?  Although there are a few things I'm undecided about.  Maybe you can help me.

~~  Do I need to bring a pair of black trousers?  I need a skirt because of the fancy lunch B has arranged for us at Luzine.  I need to dress up and look pretty.  But do I need trousers?  Maybe they will be just taking up extra space? 

~~  Coats.  And sweaters.  So, I'm wearing my red knee length coat on the plane because I need something dressy with me; also it warm, and honestly looks okay with jeans.  I don't want to look a typical tourist when I'm over there.   :P  But I need something else.  But I don't need two extra coats, do I?  I was thinking of my structured denim blazer jacket and this gorgeous shorter purple jacket I have.  But I don't need both, do I?  How do I pick?  I have NO idea.  Can't I just bring both?   Sweaters?  Well, Cardigans, really.  I'm wearing my favourite light grey one on the plane.  I need another as was planning on a dark grey one as well.  But then I saw the brown one I have and maybe that's a better alternative.  One grey, one brown?  Or maybe is two grey better?  I do like the grey better than the brown.  UGH!  I can't decide!   LOL.  

~~  Shoes.  Shoes and shoes.  I'm still having shoe dilemmas.  Mostly because of the situation with my dumb wrecked leg.  Its so hard to figure out it.  Okay, I'm wearing my boots on the plane.  Bringing a pair of sneakers for sight seeing.  My dressy Sketchers for travelling here and there when I need to be dressy.  Will probably hide the 'nice' shoes in my giant Carlos bag and change when I get to where I am going.  Not the best alternative, but I don't know what else to do.  The way my leg is, I have to have comfy shoes or I'll be be more wrecked than normal.  So, in regard to dressy shoes......I have lovely flat silver ones for the concert.  Do I need to bring a second pair of dressy (pointy low pumps) just in case?  I always worry about just in case.  Because what am I going to wear to Luzine if I don't have them?  UGH!   See what goes around and around in my head?  No wonder I am driving myself mental.  :P

Okay, I'll shut up at the packing.  But I would LOVE some input.  Please. 

I want to thank B for all her info about Belgium!  :)  And Chris too for her input.  Look how educated we all are because of them!  I feel like maybe I have a handle on the Belgian culture.  The picture I have is that Belgians are very proper people.  They like beauty and tidiness and like to help foreigners (You better not be wrong about that B!  LOL)  Anyone I have encountered here in Canada tells me that Belgian is like France, only much nicer and friendlier.  :) 

So, maybe it will be alright.  It has to be, doesn't it?   Getting on the plane is going to be the hardest part, I think.  Wow.  One week. 

T.
xxx

PS:  Leaving you now because I need to go book my ticket up to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  I'll kick myself if I don't go, I know I will.  Wow.  One week. 

Okay, this post has absolutely nothing to do with xylophones.  I just wanted to type the word.  *giggle*  Come on, when was the last time you typed it?  Try  it.  Xylophone.  It's fun! 

I hate to admit this but I had to look up Xenophobe.  Really, I did.  I can't believe you all knew what it meant and I didn't!  I'm not that dumb, am I? Well, sometimes......  hehe  Anyhow, for those of you like me, who don't know, here's the definition from an online dictionary.  A person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign peoples.  So, now you know!  :)

I wouldn't say I have a fear of foreigners.   I'm afraid of lots of things, but not foreigners.  Certainly not Belgians.  Should I be?  LOL.  Tell me the truth now!   Mum, you honestly think I've been xenophobic since I was a little girl?  Really?  Wow.  I had no idea!  I will confess what I am afraid of.  Terrified really.  Ready for it?  Xylophones.  LOL.  Is there a word for that? 

Anyhow, this book is awesome!  (Big thanks to B for sending it to me!) I've learned so much!  Here are some of my favourite parts:

~ french(ed) fries are cut to the size of ladies pinky finger and fried twice to make them extra crispy (can't wait to try them!)  With Mayonaisse!
~  Belgians devote every Saturday to fastidiously cleaning their homes.  Hey!  That's just like me.  I knew there was a reason I liked those Belgians!  (Although I wouldn't say I was fastidious about it!)
~ Belgians eat 8 kgs of chocolate a year and apparently the chocolates are VERY affordable  (I could be in trouble! hehe)
~ everyone kisses each other when they meet.  Three times.  Even the grizzled old men kiss each other.   (What about the cute young men?  LOL) 
~ There's flemish and walloons and one is french and one is dutch.....and I kinda got confused after that

That's all for now.  I can't give it all away, can I?  If you need more information the book will be available for rent (hehe) after I return on April 5.  Cost?  A Belgian chocolate, of course!

Oh, I have a question, my resident Belgian residents.   You know those outdoor cafe restaurants, where people sit and have coffee or a meal?  First, will they be open when I am there?  IE:  Do people sit outside even when it's not full summer?  Second, what is the protocol?  Do you just pick an empty table/chair and sit and the man comes to serve you?  Or do you go inside, put your order, and then you go out and side at the table of your choice?  How does it work?  I don't want to look like a dummy........I want to be confident.  And I"m so not.  LOL.   So, please, tell me the rules! 

And, I think that's about enough for tonight, don't you?  It's almost bedtime and I'm sleepy.  Until tomorrow, my friends.  I leave you with this, cause I think it's funny.   And I read in the Xenophobe book that Belgians like eels.  I'll pass on that, thank you.  ;) 

T.
xxx

So.........I guess musing about all the negative 'what if's' isn't such a good idea, is it?  Okay, T will try to stay away from that from now until.........a new batch of nerves kicks in.  I must admit, something has shifted this week and I am getting a little excited.  Can you believe it?  Me?  Who doesn't get excited about anything is a little bit excited about my trip?    I say that's amazing!  Or maybe I am just high on.......NO! not the Dutch Coffee Houses (who do you think I am! :P )...........I was about to say Diet Coke.  :)    DCH or DC?  You make up your own mind.  LOL  (Wow, I am silly at the moment!)

Anyhow, I have a million questions.  Questions, questions, questions.  If anyone knows the answers, please leave a comment.  This is stuff they don't tell you on Trip Advisor!  First up:  B&B Etiquette.   I've never stayed at a B&B; although I am super excited about the one I'm staying at.  It's so beautiful!   Giant bed, balcony overlooking a tree lined street, wood floors, claw foot bathtub. (Yes, I will post pictures!) But I don't know the etiquette.  For example, here in North America, when you stay in a hotel (a hotel, not a B&B) it is customary to leave a tip every day for the cleaning staff.   Does one do that at a B&B as well?  Or is it considered rude?  Or maybe you just leave a tip at the end of your stay?  I have no idea.  Also, do you make your bed?  Or do you expect the proprieter to do it?  Seems a bit lazy to me - expecting the host/hostess to make your bed when you could very well do it yourself in about 10 seconds, but is that part of the service you pay for when you're at a B&B?  Again, no idea.  Obviously the towels, etc get changed every day, but the rest of it?   Dunno.   Will you help me out, please, if you do know?  

Question Two also revolves around tipping.   I read somewhere that you only tip in Europe if the service at the restaurant is good.  Is this true?  Because in North America, its customary to tip 15% regardless.  The wait staff relies on tips since the hourly wage is not usually very good.  But in Europe?  Again, I have no idea.  What is the standard?  And if you do tip, what percentage is acceptable?  15% like in Canada?  

Question Three.  The train system.  I was googling about the trains today.  I am so confused.  Very, very confused.  Is there an inter-city train system in Brussels, plus a national train system (to get to Antwerp for example?  Oh and that makes me think of a secondary question:  Is Anterwp the same place as Antwerpen?), plus a third train system if I want to go out of the country (to Paris, for example)?  Is there really that many train systems?  How do you figure it all out?  I'm pretty smart, but seriously, I think this could just about do me in.  While we're on the topic of trains........is it worthwhile to get some kind of rail pass?  Is that cheaper?  How exactly does it work?   I need a one way to Antwerp, return to Paris, return to Leuven and a one way from Leuven.  Does that warrant getting a rail pass?  I need to be economical with some things, if I can, and I think rail travel will be one of them.  But then again, maybe I am not travelling enough by rail to justify a pass.  I don't know!!!!!  I'm sooooooooooo confused!  HELP! 

Okay, I won't bore you with any more questions today, but I will tell you about my dream.  Do you want to read about my dream? (What's your dream? Anyone know the movie quote that's from?) (Skip ahead if you don't want to read about the dream :P)   I dreamed I was leaving on my trip.  And the British Airways jet was parked out in the middle of a field; surrounded by tents and pathways and hippies.  It was sort of like Woodstock, only without the music and the mud.  I was in endless, endless lineups, twisting and turning and I couldn't figure out why there were no bathroom facilities for all the people in the line.  Including me.   They kept announcing that the plane was leaving, but I was no where near being able to board; and I really really had to to go the loo.  So, I was dancing in the line up, to distract myself, and wondering why I decided to go to Belgium since they obviously weren't civilized and didn't have any toilets.  Finally, finally.........the line snaked around to an outhouse.  I was disgusted.  One outhouse for all these people.  They couldn't even be bothered to build flush toilets for their passengers?  Really?  So, I was complaining to someone behind me, and then of course I woke up.    Guess what?   It was 2 am, and I really did need to use the loo.    I'm almost scared to know how you are all going to analyze that one.  LOL 

Okay, that is enough pointless ramblings from me.  Hope you enjoyed this upbeat, question filled episode of What's Brewin.  And yes Dad, I will phone you momentarily to tell you a new blog is up, since you ask me every day about it!  :)    See you soon, Brew-Meisters!  (What do you think of that name?)  

T. 
xxx

PS:  I won a coffee on Tim's 'Roll up the Rim' contest!  Yay me!  (But I think I've had enough caffeine today, don't you?) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here I am again.  :)  Just popping in with a picture of Antwerp or Antwerpen or Anvers (take your pick and why does it have so many names?  More questions! )  This is the train station.  Thanks Chris!  It's so magnificent.  We don't have things like this in Canada.  

I must admit, I didn't expect to be back in here so soon.  I didn't expect eight comments on my silly little blog or 100 people to read it.  Who are you?  And I sure didn't expect my parents to log a comment!  Look at the two of you!  I am so proud of you for figuring out how to leave a comment!   (Even though I had to walk you through it on the phone!  LOL)  I'm very impressed.  Really!  Bravo! 

Okay, so Chris and Birgit........do you know what you started with that comment about Dutch Coffee Houses?  I honestly thought it was a brothel.  I did!  :)  But the moment I typed it into Google.......out came the truth!  Dutch Coffee Houses are.......well, am I allowed to say this?  Well, I can't imagine why not.  Because I'm sure half the world doesn't know.  This would educate them; like it educated me!  Although, according to Papa Brewin, he was very well aware of what they were.  How exactly do you know that, Dad?  Hmmmm? 

Anyhow, for those who may be in search of some, well, certain mostly illegal grasses that are rolled up in paper and smoked; a Dutch Coffee House might be the place for you.  I didn't read far enough along to determine if other types of..........well, drugs.......are available at these places.   I just know I won't be going to one!  I think the Belgian Coffee Houses sound nicer; real coffee and cakes.   Although, I'm already too fluffy as it is; I don't really need to eat any cakes.  :P  But if it 's cakes or grasses; well, I'm going to take the cakes.  Every single time!  :) :) :) 

So, there you have it.  Dutch Coffee Houses.  Learned something new today, didn't you?  Thanks to my Belgian girls.  If I can get it worked out; I'll bring you some really good coffee from Canada.  Tim's!   Tim's yummy yummy coffee.   :)

Now, the current dilemma for the trip is whether or not I should purchase a tablet to bring along with me, or if I should just bring my laptop.  I can't seem to post a new blog post from my iTouch, so I need to come up with Plan B.  Suggestions are most welcome.  I need to do some research.   And what else would you like to read about?  I could, in theory, post something every couple days, but I would probably bore you all to tears with my rambling.........as Mama Brewin said:  You just talked nonesense in Post One and rambled about nothing.   LOL.   Okay, Mum.  :P  

Anyhow, what are you interested it?  Trip preparations?  Dilemma's?  Tablet confusion?  Pre-trip shopping?  I might need some wardrobe and footwear advice.  I am stressing over that already.   I need comfy shoes for walking, dressy shoes for fancy restaurant visits and of course THE CONCERT!!  But I also have to walk to and from the train in my dress shoes, and I don't do so well with that, so I might need to bring my big red Carlos bag with me and hide the dressy shoes in him until I get the the venue, and then change from the comfy shoes.........SEE?  Shoe stress!!  And yes, this is really how my brain works.  Round and round and round.  And in the end, I'll bring five pairs and only wear two.  So.........shoe stress.   LOL.   Coupled with my horrible problem of over-packing, I could be in some serious trouble!  

So, I'll leave you all to stew about that for a while.   Any advice or thoughts, of course they are gladly welcome.  :)   I'm having so much fun with the blog, readers.  SOOOOOO much fun!  Thanks for tuning in and I look forward to hearing from you!   

T.
xx

What's Brewin.  Well, at first glance of that coffee cup - or first read of the title - you might think this is a blog about good coffee.  Or maybe beer.  Brewin' Coffee.  Brewin' Beer.  Get it?   Ha.  Of course you do.  But it's not about either!  At least I don't think it will be.  That's not to say you won't find mention of a decent cup of coffee if I happen to find one during my travels.   This is, I think, at least for now, the beginning, going to be a travel blog.  Whoever thought I would write a travel blog?  Not me!  But here we are.  Why, you may ask?  Why a travel blog and why call it What's Brewin?  Well......

First, the What's Brewin part.  Its just a clever play on  words that's all.  Brewin's my name.  Last name, not first.  Obviously.  Ha.  My dream was always to have a coffee shop named What's Brewin, but since it's impractical and not very likely to happen at this point in my life.....the genius of the clever play on words needs to be
used somewhere, doesn't it? What's Brewin blog it is.  Can't let a good name go
to waste now, can I?

Now, the travel part.  Well, if you would have told me I would be taking a trip alone to Europe a year ago, I would not have believed you.  I would have laughed and shaken my head and said no way.  And yet, here we are.  Wow.  So, considering that I am travelling alone and people will be worried about me - at least I hope they will be and you know who you are - and, I think there will be friends who will be interested in what I'm getting up to over there in Europe......the idea of a blog just seemed so much easier than sending mass emails out to people every day.  A blog just seemed......funner.  And yes, that is a word, by the way.  A me word.  Funner.

So, here's my idea for going forward.  There are pages to this blog.  The first one, as you can see, is......What's Brewin in Belgium.  I'll add any posts about Belgium onto the page.  I hope it works.  Since I haven't really tested it out yet, I'm not sure it will.  But one can hope.  And I will tweak as we go along.   I don't travel a lot, but usually go somewhere once a year, so my thought was to add a page for each trip. Make sense?  So, for example, maybe next year I'll go to......Oh, New York, let's say.  (That's not a bad idea, actually, must look into that!).  So the page would say, What's Brewin.....In New York.   Get it?  Got it?  Good.  I so hope it makes sense. But for today, for February 2012, we'll start small.  With Belgium.  And see how it goes. 

So, there you have it.  A travel blog called What's Brewin.  It could turn into anything.  It could be nothing and die out and fizzle.  I don't know.  But I'm going to give it a whirl.  Hope you come along.  And have fun.  And maybe smile at my crazy way of explaining things. And of course......you must leave a comment!  Especially while I'm travelling, so I can be close to my friends while I'm away and know they're thinking about me like I'm thinking about them.   Hmmmmmm, I hope this blog site lets you leave comments.  I should have checked that out!   Let's assume it does.  Okay?  Okay. 

And this, I guess, is the end of Post One.  Check back now and again. I may have some random thoughts as I begin preparing for this trip.   I wonder if they should go on the Belgium page or here on the home page.  Hmmmmmmm.......

As you can see, I'm terrible at making up mind!   I'll leave you with that, my friends. I need to come up with a name for you all.   Brewin's........   Brewin's what?  Hmmmmm........  More things to think about! 

T.
xxx

PS:  You might wonder about the picture.  Well.......It's Carlos.  He's a handsome man.  And since I had this picture, and he was holding a coffee cup, and the blog is called What's Brewin.........I just had to use it now, didn't I?  Uh-huh, Uh-huh.