One Week
March 18, 2012

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. 

 

Travel Tips and T's Troubles
March 11, 2012

It's March 11.  In my head, I'm leaving for Belgium in about five or six weeks.  Loads of time, right?  Of course it is.  Except, I'm leaving in two weeks.  TWO WEEKS!  How is this even possible?  Two weeks?  I think I could be in some trouble here.  There's far, far too much to do and a whole lot to get sorted out.  Wow.  Two weeks.

True to my warped psyche, I have many moments of interal freaking out, thinking 'What in the heck am I doing?'  But, it's too late to turn back and so I must press forward.  I actually started a list - I'm on page two already! - but I think I will feel better when I start crossing some of the to-do's off the list.  This upcoming week needs to be highly productive because I don't want to be running like a chicken in the two days before I go.  That would just stress me out more.  So, in line with that, I'm putting the call out for travel tips.  Essential things to bring, ways to pack lightly, smart behaviour and practicality.  Believe it or not, despite my rambling, I am pretty clear-headed with this stuff, but I'm sure some of you have some great ideas that I haven't encountered before.  So?  Anyone?  (Buehler, Buehler?  Class?  Anyone?)  Yes, yes, another movie quote.  LOL.  And no, I don't mean Urs Buhler.  :P

So, photocopy all important documents (IE: passport, credit cards, insurance cards) and leave a copy with someone and bring a copy with me; just in case I'm pick-pocketed or robbed.   Speaking of that, I know there a lot of pick pockets in Europe.  Aside from the usual - be alert and don't go to shady areas after dark - any tips for ensuring that I'm not a victim?  I've heard people going to extremes and wearing a money belt, etc. etc.  I'm not prepared to do that.  Forget it.  I'm not turning my back and rummaging around under my shirt if I want to buy a bottle of water!  Can you imagine?  LOL.  What's WRONG with that woman?  hehe 

What else?  Four pairs of jeans is enough, si?  One pair of black trousers.  One black skirt.  Divo dress.  A fresh shirt for each day.  And maybe a spare or two.  2 cardigans.  2 pj's.  Let's not go to the unmentionables, because Papa Fred reads, but obviously I'm bringing unmentionables.  :P   Then there's the jacket issues.  And the shoes.  Always the shoes.  Still I'm in a quandry about the shoes.  Sigh.    I'll keep you posted how I work that out.     So, anyhow, that's enough clothes right?  Not too many, but just the right amount for a 10 day trip?  I think so.  And it covers all possible events that I may need to attend.  Events?  LOL.  I didn't know I was attending events, but I guess I am.  Every day is an event, right?  :)))) 

Now, my troubles.  I'm concerned.  I have a problem with my pelvis/hip.  Its a chronic injury.  Both are rotated, which sets off a bunch of other problems I won't bore you with.  Usually it's managable and it's been okay for a while now, with regular maintenance at the orthopedic doctor who has really been helping me.  Except, I've done something to myself this week - not sure what and either is the doc - and I'm completely freaking out because I am totally crippled up.  I have to be able to walk - lots - by the time I leave or what will have been the point of going all the way over there.  Imagine, sitting alone in my B&B thinking.....I can't go out because I can't walk more than two blocks before I'm crying in pain?  (Yes, it is that painful sometimes.)  How depressing, right?  So, the doc has been awesome, but fixing it means other stuff hurts while my body adjusts.  Ugh.  Its' so frustrating and becoming worrisome.   And it also plays into the shoe issue, because obviously anything uncomfortable (and nice looking) is probably out of the question to ensure I am as mobile as I can be.  So.......   I'm just moaning about this, I don't expect anyone to fix it.  But it's weighing on my mind.  It could be tricky getting around and since I'm not an elderly grandmother I don't want to be walking like one.   You know, there's probably some elderly grandmother's who are far more mobile than I am at the moment.  Wow.   

Okay, moan, moan, moan.  Enough.  It is what it is; I have to deal with it as best I can.   I must start blogging more as we draw closer to departure, but I really dont' know what to blog about.  LOL.  You wouldn't think that wasn't possible given how much I ramble, but.....*giggle*.  

So, in parting, I leave you with this.  A friend brought this back from Jamaica for me.  Isn't he hysterical?   Maybe I should throw him my bag for moments when I need a chuckle (and am crying in the public toilet :P)   Maybe I need to throw Carlos in my bag instead.  He might provide a little more courage than Mr. Rasafarian.  :P

Till next time, Brew-Meisters.

T.
xx