Mon24

Awoke, cereal. Walk to train station with Emilie. Fantastic astounding train system but still 1hr to Mons. Arrive and meet friends. Most of the day I am silent listening to their French. Both quite rich, one extremely. The house where I had lunch was a mansion with more than a five star hotem. Bar, lounge, stairs with marble+brass+wood+red carpet, B&O stereos. Amazing. 3 course lunch especially for me - delicious. I tasted Belgian Beer - stronger flavour of malt, less bitter, warmer and less bubbles. Walked through Mons. Saw 'City of Angels' in French! Came home, met Pierre the childrens father- watched 'The Simpsons' and 'UnderSeige' after vegemite on toast. Jean-Claude is here but I am very tired. The night creeps up so quickly, each day is like a rollercoaster. I started today ecstatic- wished I was in AU - then suddenly happy. These cycled many times today. Gaëtan arranged dinner with his family for Wed Nite.

Sun 23rd

Woke to Church bells. A tres bien breakfast- baguettes thanks to Jean-Claude, then we left Nicolas to study + saw the comic museum + a bit of Brussels, very different from Aus cities, Tintin is a legend. We return + have a sandwich then all go to JC's for his daughter Emilies 18th. I feel so much part of the family. One son invited me to his place in Brussels whenever I want a swim. JC then showed me his photography and equipment. Afterward we watched 'The Net', then had visitors. Spag-JC came then Nic+friend and we all joked and spoke. I feel already as if I have lived here a month. I am quickly growing confident in French - shocking myself and others.

Sat 22nd

Had a wonderful day today. First realisations that I am in Belgium. Awake @ 6.30 (Jetlag?) Very exciting. This is wonderful family- Grandma - Mommy, came from Waterloo for breakfast ) all manner of wonderful Belgian Pastries - Chocolate, butter, 8's. Jean-Claude (A legend) came again - I showed a lot of paintings + photos - he fixed my doorhandle - went to village centre for handle. For lunch I made Mumon try vegemite, she couldn't say anything bad about it because it is so healthy - but no-one else appreciated a taste. Joked around, went to the supermarket (wow) then came home. A bit of sun (wow again) so I went for a bike ride with Mamon, wonderful except I nearly got killed on the narrow roads that people take the wrong side of. Rode and walked in the forest ) just amazing. More TV, conversation, dinner then bed. Plans already for tomorrow!! Also we had the Aus. Shiraz + the wine expert said "Tres, Tres bien" over and over again - I couldn't taste it. I have a wonderful family - Emily - 17 (I am 1 month older) and Nicholas - 18. The horse-sized dog is I think Eublix from Asterix and Obelix.

Fri 21st Cont.

Today was hell, after the 30hr flying we were stuck in the airport for hours. When we eventually arrived at a beautiful old Brussels mansion, leaving our bags there and walking in the rain to an African museum for orientation. This was torture, I felt bad from 4.30 to 6pm, Gaetan arrived at 3 and this was very special. Then an hour and 1/2 of wait at mansion for host parents to arrive. I didn't expect much, especially being an emergency family. The house is very narrow + high, they extended every possible hospitality - And they have a dog, a Cat and live exceptionally close to Gaëtan. Am going to sleep now - je suis plus fatigue - sick and dizzy.
We are going to speak english for the first week - then I have language camp then only French.
First night I slept for 1 hr. then got up thinking it was the next morning, got dressed and showered, saw that they have dinner for breakfast (ha, ha) spewed- Eventually we realized my mistake and had a good laugh.

Friday 21st/8

48 mins to Brussels + feel like shit, I got sleep - but I don't know how much. What with all the timezones and everything. I got frisked at Zurich - only the third time on my sojourn. I don't think steelcaps were a good idea. I had the window to Sydney + Singapore but now am stuck in the middle colomn. I am positive I have a temp- panadol seems not to help and it feels like I have ruptured a testicle trying to sleep on these seats. But this is all part of the experience. I can't wait to see Gaetan. They gave us our schedule in a whole jumble of timezones so I got the impression that the flight was a whole lot shorter. VERY COLD, partly because of my temp- no one else is shivering - 14°c in Zurich. Singapore was damn hot + like a sauna. Oh well only 370kms to go. All sorts of rumours about having an orientation as soon as we arrive.
Not worried about family. More so that mum thought I arrived 13 hrs ago. (plane delayed 1hr in singapore too)

Thursday 20th/8

It is obvious what this day is- currently 4h40m into flight to Singapore (only 2h20 to go°. This flying business is harder than I thought- even with Nintendo and Movies. I left this morning after hours of packing + Repacking. Over the limit but my baggage went through ok. Can't say so much for myself - I beeped ever alarm humanly possible in the metal detector - steel caps. I am sort of numb, I left home ok - no tears, well organised, but it still hasn't sunk in, so few expectations but a lot of surprises in store.

Thursday 13/08/98

One week to go, this book a present from Laura. Waiting for a call tonight from G.O. - he missed me while I was out having coffee with Laura & Co. Met Cameron, Monkey, Slag & Kyleen. Must remember to get in touch with Ryans folks before I leave.
NO HOST FAMILY YET!! But not particularly worried, more worried about French. No idea what to expect - will miss Mum + Seb + Puppies + Auntie M. Laura is cool and I love her (just in case she reads this when I return.) VERY EXCITING.

G.O. predicts huge drama with language barrier. Must take him some VB, some videos eg. Full Frontal, GNW. TAKE AUSSIE MUSIC + small french dictionary.