Last post...

I left Brussels two days ago, so this is my last post.
I don't think it will have a logical order, so it might sound slightly mixed.

First, I forgot to mention a couple of movies :) In Ireland I saw The Notebook for the first time (my friend kept saying that I HAD to see it!) and I loved it. I also watched it again with my housemate. A movie that I also rewatched was P.S. I Love You, that I first saw in the cinema back in December 2007. Lovely, lovely. The last new movie I watched features Robert De Niro and it was also quite nice. Heavy and sad, but good.

So... the last few days...

On Friday I had lunch with my unit and they gave me 3 cute books - one about Belgian cusine, one about the secrets of Brussels and one that kinda makes fun of Belgians from a foreigner perspective. The day altogether was quite quiet. It didn't feel like the end. Stayed at home that night watching a movie.

On Saturday, during the afternoon we went to the city centre and had a drink at the Zebra Bar as usual :) That night a friend had a goodbye party and it was a chance to, again, say more goodbyes. Thanks for the party!! :)

On Sunday we had some friends over during the afternoon and played a board game. Was nice to see them one more time and, again, say goodbye. Watched a movie.

I had already packed pretty much everything on Saturday morning and by that point I was starting to fear whether I could carry all of it by myself to the station. Called a friend to help me out on Monday morning and she agreed and was even gonna drive me to the train station :)

Woke up earlier than needed on Monday, packed the last things, cleaned up, waited for the time to pass. My friend arrived and it was time to leave. Thank you so much for your help, I will never forget it!!

This time, for a change, it all worked out quite well with the trains. My first train arrived with only 5 minutes delay and the second one was cancelled, but they got us a substitute train that arrived at the exact same time my ICE should have arrived and I arrived at my destination right on time - the only difference was that I had to switch trains one more time half way (which is a little annoying considering all the luggage, but it does not really matter).

 

  

So, this is it! As commonly said "all good things come to an end" and so did my first experience in Brussels. It was lovely, I met so many wonderful people that I know I will miss very much! Work wise it was really interesting and now I have this awful task to find a new job.... Things don't look so shiny at the moment (for my first "no" 450 people had applied; over 850 for the second one), it's really crazy competitive in Brussels.

Anyway... thank you to everyone who made this experience so special! I hope to see you all and Brussels real soon!

Day 142

Last night in Brussels....

When I get back to base, I will write a proper final post (or several).

It finally stopped raining and I look through the window to see the beautiful arch illuminated at night, one more time...

Day 140

What happened to people this morning? Did they all got out of bed on time for a change?!
I had to let 3 metros go by before getting a place... Well, the third one was a bit silly actually, because I didn't have time to see that there were places on the next carriage (or wagon, whatever). It's not like I was late anyway....

Last day at work... and it's raining and grey...

Three more days and I'll leave Brussels....

Day 139

Another grey coloured paper on my desk....

I had actually just finished cleaning my desk, throwing away all the working papers that I won't need anymore. Only today and tomorrow left, here at the office.

In the last weeks I have been watching quite a few movies.

- Up in the Air
Liked the strong female characters. Was a bit heavy at some points and there's a couple of sad parts, but altogether, I liked it.

- Taking Woodstock
Thought it was a laugh! And I agree with some of the critics who complain about the absence of any original footage from the concerts or at least someone pretending to be those artists. OK, the emphasis was the experience, fine. But, hey, the music!!! AND, I normally don't say these things but.... Jonathan Groff really transmitted a good vibe (aka, was hot!).

- Paranormal Activity
Shouldn't have seen it... Dammit! Was simplistically scary!

- Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Was cute. Nice to have something less serious for a change :)

I also rewatched Adventureland (really like it, love the soundtrack!!) and the The Ugly Truth (good for some giggles).

Books wise, I am having a little break from The Shining and reading a Portuguese romance based on the life of Aristides de Sousa Mendes. It's good to read something in Portuguese for a change (HP didn't count, because it was a translation - quite bad at some points - and this book I am reading now is originally in Portuguese).

Have been having a hard time fallling asleep, dunno if because of the stupid movie or of the whole anxiety concerning the end my contract or both... Tired...

Day 137

When I got to the office this morning, there were two grey toned papers, announcing the funeral of two people that worked here. About an hour later, another paper was added to that pile. I think these people might have died following the major train crash in Halle last week. May their souls find peace, wherever they are...


On a completely different note, yesterday I finally went to Kitty O'Shea's. Interns with a special discount card had good deals and though these deals were there every Monday since the beginning of October, I had never managed to go and decided I should at least try  it on my last week. Managed to get two Carlsberg pints for the amazing price of 3,90€ :) It was a pleasant evening with two Portuguese friends.

Today is grey and rainy and I am getting a little stressed because I can't seem to find vacancies to apply to...

Day 135

Last weekend we had some friends for dinner. A friend of ours cooked a Gin tomato soup :) Was very very tasty! A couple of friends also brought dessert :) yummy.

 

Some of them went to a party on the underground of Café des Halles in Saint-Géry while others went to Strictly Niceness. I actually stayed in :)

The week at work was so so, not too busy.

I had two meetings with my fellow interns with the Head of our DG and the "big boss". It was nice to see that both of them sound like they have both feet on the ground and were really nice to us.

I had taken Friday off, but spent the whole afternoon in a Farewell Conference, the beginning of the end... (A big thank you to the Committee and all Sub-Committees that made their best to make this an even better experience to us all)

Last night was the Euroball, 50s/L.A. Confidential theme. 

To start the night, we had some friends (not interns) over for dinner and my housemate cooked a delicious chicken curry with white rice. We got all dressed up, girls with pretty dresses and boys with suit and tie and went to Theatre de Vaudeville, a beautiful location where this goodbye event took place.

 

It was amazing to see everyone again, all beautiful and cute, take crazy pictures to remember and dance together one more time.

One week to go... Then I will have to pack my stuff and leave Brussels (for now...). 

Day 130

When I woke up this morning there was already light outside. Just a couple weeks ago it was still pitch black at that hour (7.30). It's good.... I like it :)

The hardest part of the year (at least light-wise) is over!

Day 126

A couple days ago the snow and the cold came back to Brussels.

 

  

Today I am home, took the day off :) Still have one more day off to enjoy next week.

I was suppose to be writing cover letters for job applications, but my Word has been having some kind of problems for a few months now and I can't seem to fix it :( it keeps freezing and complains that it's still looking for some printer...

Yesterday I went back to Start People and finally registered. Now I just have to send my CV via e-mail every two weeks and hope to get lucky real soon.

The streets are still a little white and there's ice all around, but there are rays of light breaking through the grey clouds, hitting my face :)

Weekend :) 

On reading matters: finished (re)reading Harry Potter in Portuguese (how awful was that translation some times) and am currently reading The Shinning and hoping it won't creep me out and let me sleep. 

 

Machine Head live (videos)

Here are two videos I made during the concert:

 

Machine Head at Forest National/Vorst Nationaal

Last Friday,  after spending the whole day in a meeting/conference that I had been organising for the last three months, I had a little pearl waiting for me: Machine Head were playing right here in Brussels and I could not resist and got myself a ticket a few weeks ago.

I came home after the meeting, so tired, checked B for the trains and then went to rest for a bit.
For some reason, I got the idea that the train was at 19.12 instead of 19.06 so.... I arrived there a little too late to get that one. The next train was only at 19.39. Went to sit in the waiting room and not long after a homeless person, who unfortunately smelled really bad, sat right next to me. I didn't want to get up all of a sudden, to be rude, so I stayed there for another five minutes, not inhaling, just breathing through my mouth and then decided to just get up and wait the rest of the time standing somewhere else.

My train arrived on time (several trains were late that evening) but, suddenly, when we reached Forest I realised I was not at Forest Est, I was at Forest Zuid/Midi, in the middle of the factories!!!! It was quite dark already and there was almost no one to be seen... I went to talk to the security guy and asked him for help, because I couldn't seem to find the way out. "You should take the tunnel and then turn right". "That tunnel over there", I asked. And he said yes, so I tried that tunnel that went under the rails. When I came out on the other side, I could only see more factories and no way out. I walked towards the first building where there was still light on and another security guy. I went in and asked for help - he was one of the rudest persons I have EVER met! He turn to me and said "I don't work for the train company, I don't have to tell you anything about trains or buses. This is private property" etc etc. Again, I asked him for help and he replied to me the exact same way, gesticulating a lot... I didn't want to be as rude as him, so I just turn my back and walked away, leaving him to continue directing his rudeness... Is it that hard to help someone, even if they are on private property?!

I face palmed and thought to myself "I really get myself in the most awkward situations sometimes".

Walked back to the first security guy, who was very nice once again, but he was still unsure about the direction. Luckily, when he was leaving his little "house" to help me, a lady was coming from one of the factories and explained to me how to get out and that I was really close to the centre, 5-minute walk.

Note: If you ever want to take the train to go to Forest National, make sure you type Forest EST, so you don't leave any space for mistakes.

The 5-minute walk was more like a 15-minute walk, but I didn't really care. I was just happy not be stuck in the middle of the factories in the dark any more.

I finally arrived to the venue around 20.20. And then I realised - oops, the doors opened at 18h and not at 19h, which means the bands started at 19h and not at 20h and the second band was already finishing their performance by the time I arrived. Face palm again! I was really out that day! :) I have been to so many concerts and I don't recall ever mixing the timetable, but I honestly just really wanted to see Machine Head, so I guess I got what I wanted. No All Shall Perish and no Hatebreed for me then. 

Machine Head started playing at 21.00 and played until 22.45.
It was a brilliant concert as usual, they are definitely one of my favourite live bands. The set list was quite mixed, new and older stuff to please everyone.
It's the third year they tour with The Blackening album and for me it was the third time I saw them - once each year in three different countries :) First Germany, then Portugal and now Belgium. In each one of those times their performances were amazing!

Here's a "couple" pictures :)

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

The only downside was that during my favourite song, Halo (the one before the last, Davidian as usual), I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings and I think a guy might have jumped, fell on the guy next to me, who then fell on me and elbowed my nose. I was lucky, because he hit the bone and not the cartilage - if he had hit my cartilage that hard I am sure it would have broken in a very nasty way. Anyway, didn't broke, was just swollen for a few days and, after all, it was a metal concert so... I knew what I was going for :) (sorry, it's a Portuguese expression).

Thank you Machine Head!!

No weird events to report on the trip back home :)

Note: If you're interested in going to a concert at Forest National, there are several options, being the fastest getting a train at Central Station. It only takes 10 minutes and drops you at Forest EST, less than five minutes walking from the venue. Normally, though the timetable may change depending on the days, the last train leaves at 23.06 and concerts normally finish on time so people have enough time to get to the small train station and catch the last train.

Ireland (last post)

There is not much more to write about my stay (of course, there's more pictures and a couple more bars, but I think I already posted enough).

It was lovely, I had a great time and will be forever thankful for the hospitality girls!
Will try to go back some day, for warmers days.

Last photos, at the airport:

 

 

Lacuna Coil at The Academy (Dublin)

During this trip, I also got a bonus: Lacuna Coil were playing there on the 29th and my friend was already planning to go anyway.

I had seen them at least twice before, at Wacken (crowd of about 70.000) and M'era Luna (15-20.000), but this time it was nice to see them at a tiny cute little venue (that room could take about 650 plus 250 up on the balconies).

It was a great concert!

 

Here's a few photos as well:

 

  

  

  

  

 

Ireland - Dublin City

 On Friday we spent the day visiting Dublin. We hopped on one of those tourist buses, went to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, visited the Dublin Castle (a little different then what I expected, I might say), saw several expositions on the Chester Beatty Library, check Dublinia & the Viking World just next to Christ Church,... First it was nice and sunny, but during the day, special after three o'clock, it started getting cold and rainy. It was a nice day walking around, seeing the city.

 

  

The Spire

Trinity College

 

Dublin Castle:

 

 

  

Christ Church:

 

 

  

 

GPO

 

Ireland - Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough

My friend took Thursday and Friday off, so we would have time to do some sight-seeing.

On Thursday we drove through the Wicklow Mountains, so I could see the country side. It was cloudy and cold, but it was beautiful up there. We kind of got stuck on Sally Gap, when suddenly the road was completely blocked with snow. It seemed like a scene from a movie.

 

  

 

My friend did a very tight U-turn and we went back t0 where we came from. She wanted to show me a big waterfall close, but the access was closed.
We spent quite some time driving around, trying to find the Motty Stone (close to Avoca), but.... it didn't happen. No worries, next time ;)

To compensate, earlier we did find our way to Glendalough and, instead of describing, I will simply post some pictures. I loved it!

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

This lovely location has been the scenery for several movies, such as Braveheart.

That night we had a lovely dinner with her parents. I tried the "original" salt & vinegar chips :)