Zackberridge’s Weblog

My mission is accomplished for my trip to Brussles!   It was a pleasant train ride from paris and took almost 3 hours, but I arrived safe and whole.   My host had to work until 530, so when i got there i just took a bus, not knowing where to go, and got off at some random stop. (Nico has GPS in his car, so he said to just give him the address where I was and he could pick me up, so I wasnt worried about being lost). Apparently I got off on the worst part of Brussels where I stopped at a very, very local bar and had a couple beers.  The owner didnt speak english, and I of course didnt speak any French or Dutch (the two languages of Belgium, depending if you’re in the south or north), but when i asked him to point on my map how to get to the ‘Grand Place’ another man asked if I spoke spanish, and I said yes, so we were able to communicate somewhat. (I do know enough spanish to get by, and by all means I dont actually speak it, but at the time its all I had to work with, plus when I drink beer I tend to speak it really well, ha) I walked towards my destination and stopped off at a hole in the wall place for something to eat.  The restaraunt served food that is half Indian and Pakistani and |I must say it was some of the best I’ve had yet.  Later my host picked my up and we went straight to the market to get some good.  Nico picked out 20 different beers for us to sample and we went to his flat and drank half of them while conversing and getting to know one another.  I was very fortunate to have a host like him because we connected in a way thatonly brothers from another mother connect, and we instantly became friends.  Next we went out to get some Frites (Apparently Belgium is very well know for their ‘french fries’ and they are by far the best Ive had….even better than the ‘checkers’ fries from back in the days).  We took our food to the Grand Place (i never made it there earlier), and we ate and hung out for a bit.  The grand place is a very large square that all the locals go to in the evening and hang out.  Afterwards we met with two of his friends back at the flat and we finished the other 10 beers.  I learned a lot about the politics and government of Belgium……because there isn’t one government in particular that rules, the citizens pay up to 60 percent of their income to taxes of the various other government combos (up to 5 different ones), so for example, a person who makes 4k euro/month will only bring home 1500. 

The next day I toured the city alone and saw some beautiful churches and parks, and later had dinner with Nico and that night when he got off work we stayed up late talking about a lot of topics.  The following morning, with only 2  1/2 hours of sleep I caught the next train to Amsterdam and was in for an experience that was out of this world.  cheers!

`i’m currently in utrecht, netherlands on my 4th of 8 city trip, and needless to say i have some catching up to do with my blog.   first of all, the keyboards in europe are configured differently than in the u.s so typing has been quite a challenge for me. (the top row isn’t ‘qwerty’, its slightly different as well as the position of the y, m, z, a, s, colon, semi colon……pretty much the whole damn thing is out of wack from what i’m used to.  `paris is definitely the romatic city that ive read about and heard about, too bad is wasnt there on my honeymoon=)   `my host in paris also hosted two friends from munich germany, and while the host was at work the three of us toured the city.  it was very helpful having them with me for they spoke french really well and were suprised to learn that i spoke NO other languages than english.   its different to be on the other side of ‘if you come to our country you should learn our language’ , because it can certainly be a challenge, but the lingual savior was english is generally spoken anywhere you go in europe, but when you ask someone if they speak it, they automatically look at you funny because you dont know their tongue. (well not all of them, i was helped a lot by many locals who were very happy to provide assistance.)  i also heard that the french hate americans, but i learned was the french way of life is a very fluid way of living and they all seem to have their routines down to the details and when they’re going somewhere they’re on a mission, but if anyone, whether american or not, interfers with their flow they get very frustrated.  i can understand it to an extent because paris was set up to be a tourist city and there are so many people there all the time, so the locals have to deal with ‘damn tourist foreigners’ everday, and if you’re trying to buy a bus ticket to get somwhere on time and there are americans at the ticket counter that cant speak french, i’m sure we would all feel the same way if in there shoes.   `i pretty much saw everything in the city, minus entrance into the museums, and i completely understand the public transportation system after loading and unloading over 50 times within a day and half.  so next time im out there i will feel more comfortable with the innercity travel, and i will take things slower and try to experience more the calmness the city provides by hanging out at a park with some wine and cheese, or taking a stroll without anywhere i have to be.  definitely a city i will return to in the future.  well, i must go for now, but i will post my experiences in brussels belgium the next time i have a chance.  until then,  ‘broosten!’    (cheers in dutch…..i think =)

i arrived well and on time in paris saturday @ 11am paris time, 4am houston time.   I was fortunate enough to be able to upgade my ticket to first class, and i must say that it was quite nice:)    apparently thats the way to do it for a 9 1/2 hour flight;  drink orders the moment you sit down, for food they started with warm peanuts, then some fresh bread and butter, next an appetizer of mushroom soup and crab cakes with ramaloude sauce followed by a small salad.  then came the main course which out of 4 options i selected the ravioli pasta with spinach filling and roasted red and yellow bell peppers with herbs and cream sauce, and after that they brought out some cheese and fruit, AND THEN they concluded with some icecream with a variety of topping.   they fed us for 2 hours!  apparently they knew is was gonna be on board     each seat had its own tv screen that you situate in front of you and you have a choice of tv shows, movies, music, and games, and each category had over 100 options……hell ya, 10 hour flight? bring it on baby!    i really hope i am able to travel the same on the way back.   i take that back…i WILL travel that way on the way back (i have to wait to book the flight home until the day before to see if there are any 1st class seats available, so there`s always a small chance of it filling up).  well thats it for now because ive only slept 9 hours total in the past 2 1/2 days and need to take a nap before my host gets home tonight with a few bottles of wine and some cheese    cheers!

Here I go, 3 hours until take off and then its on like donkey kong!  I declare that:

I will continue to focus on the present, but with the upcomings on my mind. 

I will restrain from any judgments, whether good or bad, on any possible scenarios/outcomes.

I will continue to represent who I am and what I love.

I will take opportunities from this trip to silence my mind and reflect who I am as a whole of humanity.

I will always find energy and interest for all I am presented with, and I will take pleasure in relaxation and tranquility when it presents itself.

I will recognize time as neither fast nor slow, but as a projection of my mind and the true illusion it is.

I will choose to remain in confidence of my universe,  never producing doubt on any situation that may appear to strain my existence.

All of my basic needs will be met, allowing me to focuson the nourishment of my soul.

I will appreciate all deeds, both large and small, that are bestowed upon me out of Love, Compasssion, and/or Kindness.

I will smile often and give thanks to the moments that will seem new to me.

I will continue to produce as much joy and love as I humanly can and I will take comfort in humanity.

-Zack

Howdy Folks,   This is the start of it all and I’m excited to see where my journey takes me.  Before I start my Organic Farming life I’m going to travel Europe for 3 weeks; visiting Paris France, Brussels Belgium, London UK, Amsterdam Netherlands, Cologne Germany, Zurich Switzerland, Milan and Bari Italy, and Athens Greece.  I’ll be sure to update my blogs as my travels unravel (hey, that rhymed!) So for now, wish me GodSpeed! Peace-Zack