Yet another part of my whirl-wind adventure with my grandmother and aunt was a trip to the grand city of Brussels. And can I just say.... WOW!
HISTORY
Independence
A revolution which preceded the achievement of independence, started on 24 August 1830. By July 1831, Leopold I was declared king. Subsequently, Brussels began to expand and new city districts were added in the 19th and 20th century which resulted in the demolition of the old city walls. Brussels gathered momentum as a place of libertarian thinking and as such provided a haven for people like Baudelaire, Marx and Hugo. Although production and facilities expanded, the overflow of population created a situation of inadequate housing. The second king, Leopold II, faced both these domestic issues as well as Belgium' s colonial decisions in Congo.
The 20th century
The beginning of the century saw a flourishing of Art Nouveau style in Brussels under the aegis of king Albert I, but this period came to an abrupt end as Belgium was occupied by the Germans in the First World War despite its neutrality. Flanders saw the worst of the warfare and today provides a resting place for the thousands of soldiers who died there. With the Peace treaty of 1919, Belgium gained the German-speaking area in the southeast.
The country barely had time to breathe as it was again occupied by the Germans in 1940, after which king Leopold III surrendered to them. After the war ended, the king, who had resided in Germany towards the end of the Second World War, was suspected of Nazi collaboration and abdicated in 1951. The throne was taken by his son Baudouin, later to be succeeded by Albert II.
The economic boom of the 1960-s and recession of the 1970-s and 1980-s gave way to Brussels' stature as the heart of Europe, as in 1958 it became the headquarters of the then European Economic Community (now the European Union), as well as NATO in 1967. Nowadays Brussels not only functions as the political and business centre of the region but also as the headquarters of many world famous corporations.
http://www.brussels.org/history/
Okay well there you have the historical significance of Brussels.... most of which I just learned on google.
When my family (My Aunt Colleen and Grandmother Sandy) decided to come and visit, I took on the responsibiltiy of finding places for everyone to enjoy. Of course, the majority of our time would be spent in Spain (Madrid, Toledo and Granada) but I also wanted to check out someplace new for me.
We'd travelled to England and France in previous years. My grandmother was planning a trip to Greece the following year. I was heading to Germany for Spring Break. And there was no way to do Italy or anything in Asia for the time span we had. So I was open to suggestions when a few colleagues suggested Belgium. I wanted something very lavish without the lavish prices and language barriers. I had never thought about traveling to Belgium but after so many people raved about the over-the-top city centers and lush country side and abundant food and beer supplies, I knew I had found our destination.
The three of us arrived in Brussels not really knowing what to expect except for a few map printouts and google city searches. Boy or boy, were we surprised. The way this city manages to mix the old world with the new is breathtaking. The Baroque facades found in the main square mixed with the gleaming metal of the EU headquarters is jaw-dropping. The elusive little peeing-boy that we spent 3 days hunting down added that comical touch we desperately needed. The people... amazing! The food.... savory! The dessert... pants-expandingly delicious! The beer.... YUUUM! I can't say enough about this city.
Since all three of us were tourists instead of my usual role as guide, we took the typical tour bus throughout the city. We relaxed and enjoyed our snazzy hotel. All three of us dined in the square and met an exuberant bunch of Norweigen men whom were awe struck by my grandmother (though we didn't dear tell them how we were related) We each split and went our seperate ways for an afternoon as I wanted to do more historical tours and the other wanted to relax and shop around. Unfortunately, my last morning there I came down with a weird bug that lasted the last 2 days of their trip to visit but even that couldn't take away from the magnificance of Brussels.
I completely recommend this city. I definitely wish I had more time to learn their history better. Enjoy the photos :-)
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
05 February 2011
14 October 2010
Back to that Same Ole Place...
SWEET HOME CHICAGO!
One of the strangest (yet, most fantastic) culture differences I've encountered in Spain is their extensive vacation time. They have random holidays at least once a month and during the summer, most employees can take up to 1 MONTH of vacation if they didn't take too many extended holidays during the year. 1 MONTH paid holidays... are you kidding me?? Well, with the Spanish culture being the way it is, there isn't a lot of work during the summer months as large percetages of people are gone July, August or September. So my academy requests strongly (basically, requiring) that every teacher take off at least 1 month of the summer. Unfortunately, being foreigners, we don't get the priviledge of paid vacation time.
I planned my vacation for months. I knew I wanted to go home as I haven't been there since the previous October (and that was for only 5 days!) So an extended period of time was definitely in order. I contemplated for months when I should go back. I decided on the month of July. I'd make it in time for the 4th, it was my mother and siblings birthdays and my really good friend Sarah was having her wedding shower/ bachelorette party. I wanted to go to her wedding instead in September and take my vacation time then, but it just so happened that my grandmother and aunt were planning a trip to visit me in Spain during that time. So, July was the obvious alternative!
At the end of June as classes were ending, I decided to move apartments. I was having difficulties with my roommate and mostly, I just wanted a change of scenery. One of my colleagues and close friend, Nikki told me that one of her roommates was moving out the end of July. We thought about living together before so this just seemed to perfect. After my month of vacation, I could move in with her and not worry about paying an extra month of rent. Perfection.
After weeks of anticipation, the day had finally arrived! And wouldn't you know it... all the subway workers conviently decided to hold their huelga (work strike) the same day. So I was walking around the streets with 2 large suitcases, unable to take public transport and not an available taxi in sight! After over an hour, I finally spotted an old couple getting out of a taxi and quickly slid into the backseat. Already exhausted, I arrived and the airport and made it to my plane. One layover and 14 hours later, I finally landed in Sweet Home Chicago.
My family met me at the airport and within minutes were arguing and screaming at eachother as we walked to the car.... ahhhh so good to be home :)
The first week was spent cell phone less as my parents 'misplaced' my old one and going to doctor/ dentists appointments. Oh joy, 3 cavaties and my WISDOM TEETH had to be removed. Spain clearly doesn't have flouride in their water! So the end of my first week and most of my second week was spent popping pain killers and eating nothing but pudding, jello and ice cream (can't complain too much)
For the 4th of July, one of my friends had a huge picnic and bonfire. I got to see a huge group of people that I haven't seen or really spoken to in over a year. Luckily, it was like I never left. We sat around talking about the same old, same old with a few Spain questions thrown in the mix. At night we lit off a small armoury of fireworks. The following days were spent visitng family and hanging out with friends: bowling trips with my siblings, laying poolside with cocktails, hitting up all my old hangouts, baseball games, birthday parties, Taste of Chicago and simply relaxing at home. That's what I love about my life... no matter how long I'm gone, I know I'm always welcomed back and it's as if I never left.
Here's a collage of random awesome events throughout the month with my awesome friends:
A few days after that I was doing it all over again but this time to all my family and friends back home as I boarded the plane back to Madrid. The month flew by and I only got through a fraction of the things I wanted to do on my list. I got to spend time with most people I wanted to and I send my deepest apologies for anyone that I didn't. I love Spain, but these last few months I'm really starting to miss Chicago. Being away definitely helps you put things in perspective. I now know that Spain will always be one of the best highlights of my life but I also realized that the latter part of my life will be spent in America. Spain has my heart forever but the US is where I belong. So as you have probably figured out, I've decided to return back home.... but not until next summer! haha I still have a few more adventures left to have here in Spain.
One of the strangest (yet, most fantastic) culture differences I've encountered in Spain is their extensive vacation time. They have random holidays at least once a month and during the summer, most employees can take up to 1 MONTH of vacation if they didn't take too many extended holidays during the year. 1 MONTH paid holidays... are you kidding me?? Well, with the Spanish culture being the way it is, there isn't a lot of work during the summer months as large percetages of people are gone July, August or September. So my academy requests strongly (basically, requiring) that every teacher take off at least 1 month of the summer. Unfortunately, being foreigners, we don't get the priviledge of paid vacation time.
I planned my vacation for months. I knew I wanted to go home as I haven't been there since the previous October (and that was for only 5 days!) So an extended period of time was definitely in order. I contemplated for months when I should go back. I decided on the month of July. I'd make it in time for the 4th, it was my mother and siblings birthdays and my really good friend Sarah was having her wedding shower/ bachelorette party. I wanted to go to her wedding instead in September and take my vacation time then, but it just so happened that my grandmother and aunt were planning a trip to visit me in Spain during that time. So, July was the obvious alternative!
At the end of June as classes were ending, I decided to move apartments. I was having difficulties with my roommate and mostly, I just wanted a change of scenery. One of my colleagues and close friend, Nikki told me that one of her roommates was moving out the end of July. We thought about living together before so this just seemed to perfect. After my month of vacation, I could move in with her and not worry about paying an extra month of rent. Perfection.
After weeks of anticipation, the day had finally arrived! And wouldn't you know it... all the subway workers conviently decided to hold their huelga (work strike) the same day. So I was walking around the streets with 2 large suitcases, unable to take public transport and not an available taxi in sight! After over an hour, I finally spotted an old couple getting out of a taxi and quickly slid into the backseat. Already exhausted, I arrived and the airport and made it to my plane. One layover and 14 hours later, I finally landed in Sweet Home Chicago.
My family met me at the airport and within minutes were arguing and screaming at eachother as we walked to the car.... ahhhh so good to be home :)
The first week was spent cell phone less as my parents 'misplaced' my old one and going to doctor/ dentists appointments. Oh joy, 3 cavaties and my WISDOM TEETH had to be removed. Spain clearly doesn't have flouride in their water! So the end of my first week and most of my second week was spent popping pain killers and eating nothing but pudding, jello and ice cream (can't complain too much)
For the 4th of July, one of my friends had a huge picnic and bonfire. I got to see a huge group of people that I haven't seen or really spoken to in over a year. Luckily, it was like I never left. We sat around talking about the same old, same old with a few Spain questions thrown in the mix. At night we lit off a small armoury of fireworks. The following days were spent visitng family and hanging out with friends: bowling trips with my siblings, laying poolside with cocktails, hitting up all my old hangouts, baseball games, birthday parties, Taste of Chicago and simply relaxing at home. That's what I love about my life... no matter how long I'm gone, I know I'm always welcomed back and it's as if I never left.
Here's a collage of random awesome events throughout the month with my awesome friends:
@ Teehans
@ The Taste of Chicago
4th of July
besties in Naperville
Chris's Bday Bash
Thunderbolts Baseball Game w/ Meg
prepared for our 1st night out together :)
Probably the most important thing I did back home was getting a tattoo. I had 2 already and was thinking about a third for quite some time. But knowing that this would be my last one (at least for a while), I wanted it to be something meaningful... at this point in my life, there's nothing more meaningful to me than my siblings. So I researched for weeks and weeks prior to coming home for something that would really illustrate how important they are to me.
I liked the idea of a short phrase. But nothing really seemed poetic enough in English. I thought Spanish would just be korny. So I opted for the root of most modern languages: Latin. Not being one really to show off my 'artwork', I opted to put it on my foot. I already had a small heart above my little toe so I knew that I wanted to incorporate it into this tattoo. Therefore, I decided to get 5 additional smaller hearts- each one to represent each of my 5 siblings. After searching even more, I finally found a phrase I wanted, the most basic phrase that completely 100% says how I feel...
SINE VOS NON POTERO VIVERE
WITHOUT YOU I COULDN'T LIVE
The last week I travelled back to my college days by flying to Ohio for Sarah's bridal party weekend. I stayed with my best friend from OU- Amy and her boyfriend. We spent hours gossiping, watching bad movies, walking around Cleveland and making jello shots! Majority of my closest friends came in for Sarah's shower so it was incredible to see everyone again. We laughed, cried, drank a LOT as we reminisced about the good old days. Sarah's shower was during the day and later that night we started her bachelorette party at her sister in law's house before hitting some bars in downtown Cleveland. I was an amazing night with some really amazing ladies! I said goodbye the following day, hugging everyone and fighting back the tears as I returned back to Chicago.
MORE PICS FROM OHIO...
Amy and I in Cleveland
Cleveland Skyline
Sarah's Wedding Shower
A few days after that I was doing it all over again but this time to all my family and friends back home as I boarded the plane back to Madrid. The month flew by and I only got through a fraction of the things I wanted to do on my list. I got to spend time with most people I wanted to and I send my deepest apologies for anyone that I didn't. I love Spain, but these last few months I'm really starting to miss Chicago. Being away definitely helps you put things in perspective. I now know that Spain will always be one of the best highlights of my life but I also realized that the latter part of my life will be spent in America. Spain has my heart forever but the US is where I belong. So as you have probably figured out, I've decided to return back home.... but not until next summer! haha I still have a few more adventures left to have here in Spain.
our ritual goodbye Sushi Dinner
26 November 2009
Home Sweet Home
Well the time had finally arrived. It was time for my first trip back to the United States since I had left 6 months before. I was a little nervous because most people say that your first return trip is your hardest: meaning that it is harder to get back on that plane back to Spain. I had little time to really anticipate the trip because I had so much work to do before hand. I was going to be taking an entire week off of work. So I had to prepare all my classes for my substitutes. But of course I couldn’t plan the next week until I had that previous week prepared. Therefore, in a matter of 3 days, I had to plan 12 days of class. That whole week, I spent every minute possible making photo copies, looking for resources and meeting with my substitutes to discuss my classes. Needless to say, I was tired. I was also pretty emotionally stressed too that month with financial and personal issue so I desperately needed this vacation.
I left mid-morning on a Tuesday which put me into O’Hare about 7pm. The flight was pretty standard. I had a layover in Copenhagen, Denmark for an hour and then a 9 hour flight to Chicago. I would definitely recommend Scandinavian Airlines, if you have the opportunity! I was greeted with
signs and flowers by my mother and my siblings: Derek, Brock and Kylie. It was just the homecoming I needed. That night, I ate dinner at my Mom’s and then met up with some friends for a few drinks. I started my errands straight away the next day, picking up things to bring back to Spain. I visited some of my old hangouts and spent every second visiting the people I had missed the most. Thursday night, Carrie and I were up to our old shenanigans and went to Bourbon Street for Ladies Night. It was like I never left. Plus, it was Halloween that weekend so I even got to dress up! As you can see from the picture, I went as Limp Bizkit (though no one knew until I did the 'Rollin' dance) Some of my boys met up with us along with my other bestest Leslie. It was an amazing night.
Friday, I did more running around and then went downtown for Colleen and John’s rehearsal dinner. Saturday was their wedding, so it was a hectic day of hair, makeup, fake nails and last minute touches. My best friend Ray aka my wedding date drove down with my dad and brothers to meet us at the Church. It was a drama filled day but everything turned out perfect. Colleen made an absolutely gorgeous bride. The reception was one that will go down in infamy within my family. Words cannot describe it… so enjoy the pictures! We ate, drank and danced till the wee hours of the morning. Being Halloween, the theme of the wedding was Vintage Masquerade. Unforgettable.
The next night, I met up with my dad and other siblings, Liam and Windsor. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend nearly as much time as I wanted before they had to go back to their moms. That was probably the most disappointing part of the trip. These kids are growing up so fast and I want to make sure they know how important they are to me, all my siblings. It’s probably the hardest part of being so far away with such a large age difference between us. I have to take advantage and treasure every moment I have with them.
Well Monday came ever so quickly and it was time to head back home to Spain. I spent the morning packing and running last minute errands before my mom and grandmother took me back to the airport. The flight home felt a lot longer this time. I enjoyed every second of being back in Chicago but I was kind of glad to be going back. It wasn’t as hard as I expected it to say goodbye again. This trip was what I needed to reassure myself that I made the right decision to move to Spain and embark on this crazy adventure. As soon as I got back in Madrid, I had to throw myself back into my classes which was good because it didn’t allow me time to wallow. So this blog is dedicated to John and Colleen Whitehead that gave me the perfect excuse to come back for what was an amazing first homecoming! Congratulations!
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