In Search of Refuge

A few more days have past and my time in Europe continues to get better.

We entered into Belgium and spent a night in Brussels. We drove from Rotterdam, Netherlands to Antwerp, Belgium after spending the morning at a large indoor market in Rotterdam. There was a lot of free samples of food (which we took advantage of) which was fun. 

In Antwerp we grabbed a bite to eat and enjoyed the city. It had beautiful architecture and there was a nearby cathedral and so we went to check it out.

After Antwerp we drove down to Brussels. I contacted my mother's friend Kathy Foster who lives nearby. My friends and I only stayed in Brussels one night so we were unable to meet up, but we really appreciated the kind gesture for us to stay with them that she and her family offered. 

The next time I come to Belgium I'll bring my Mom and we will make sure to stop by, Kathy. 😊

We ran into a number of problems when trying to book a hotel room because all were full. Pride week was taking place in Brussels this week and so many people were there in order to celebrate same-sex couples. At the last minute we were able to score a room at a small hotel called Hotel Royal. 

Inna, a friend of ours from Camp Lake Hubert, who is from Ukraine was in town and so she joined us for the past couple of days as well. She tagged along for Belgium and France.

After booking our hotel we were able to make it out into town. It was very lively. I was also able to meet my friend Bridget from CSB/SJU at the Grand Place which is the landmark center of Brussels. The whole group then went to a number of bars and had a great time. Bridget has lived in Cannes, France since September and just happened to be going for a weekend trip to Amsterdam and was passing through Brussels. 

The night out was great, but after a night out most people my age (or any age) usually sleep in for a long time. I am a morning person and wake early usually. I did so in Brussels and so while my friends slept I went for a walk around town.

It was really fun. I enjoyed just strolling around by myself. It was also really quiet out. Barely anyone was out that morning. 

Brussels (and a lot of Europe) does not have very obvious street signs. It can be a bit of a struggle to get around because of this. I found my way, though, and felt good when I found my way back to the hotel. 

That morning we spent checking out the city and locating lots of waffle shops. There was a waffle shop on every street. Ha! After, we made our way to France. 

France has toll booths and considering Inna was sitting in the passenger seat she had to deal with the payments, tickets and receipts. We love Inna, but at each one it seemed as if she lost the ticket or something else would happen. It became a joke which was funny. It all worked out, though. 

We made our way to Paris where we spent time at the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Louvre. We did not go in the Louvre because we had other things planned, but the inside of Notre Dame and the view of the Eiffel Tower were amazing, both were beautiful. 

We spent the day going around the city and exploring. That night we grabbed dinner and then went to sit out by the Eiffel Tower. There are vendors who sell wine bottles at the tower (only in Paris...) and so we bought a few and enjoyed our time. 

Every hour the Eiffel Tower would light up and sparkle. It was so cool to witness. I really enjoyed hanging out and having a good time right under the Eiffel Tower. 

We met a girl who lived in Paris while hanging out and she had with her two light sabers. Light sabers are popular from the movie Star Wars. So, yes, my friends and I totally did have a light saber fight beneath the Eiffel Tower...

We are cool.

The night was nice. Instead of booking a hotel we actually all crashed at our new friends apartment. It was fun to be at an apartment in the city. 

Once again, I woke early while everyone slept. I found a book on Martin Luther King, Jr. on the shelf and ended up reading the whole thing. It was short, but good. 

In the book I read a quote by King and it really resonated with me and this time in our world. It read, "it may well be that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition is not the glaring noisiness of the so-called bad people, but the appalling silence of the so-called good people."

It makes you think. 

After everyone finally woke we made our way out of Paris and towards Calais, France. Calais is where we caught our ferry across the English Channel. 

Calais is also where many Syrian refugees are. There is a refugee camp here. Why? It is because there is a tunnel under the English Channel that runs to Great Britain and many are trying to make their way across. 

The French police patrol and guard the port to the U.K. I was curious and wanted to get a better look at the camp. My friends and I drove down to it and spoke with some police who allowed us to walk around. We did not go in, but many refugees were out and about. We spoke to a few and asked them about themselves and what they were hoping for. We also asked about the condition of the camp. 

It was not only interesting to hear, but I think it is extremely important to speak with and meet people so we are able to learn more rather than just speculate. I spoke with Syrian and Iranian refugees. 

The refugee crisis is a difficult one and I don't know enough about it to comment further, but it's good to learn more. 

My friends and I made our way to the ferry and passed through customs. They checked my passport and asked me some questions and then let me through. We are currently on the ferry which is very nice. It's like the Titanic up in here.

One of my favorite movies, Die Hard, is playing and we are all just hanging out and watching it. It's 1:00AM right now. 

After we get off we will drive to Manchester where Adam and Tom live. Jamie will have to go back to Newcastle. This next week should be fairly relaxed. We will still meet up with each other and hang out, but less traveling. Jamie and I plan to head to London in the coming weeks to have a night out down there. Other locations will be visited as well.

That is all for now. The ferry has left the port and we are on our way across the English Channel. 

A few random things I quickly want to mention are how expensive Europe is, Amsterdam's genius bathrooms and espresso overload. 

After a year in Africa it is hard to spend so much. Europe is quite expensive. Heck, even McDonald's is outrageous. It's like 10 euro ($12) for a burger and fries. No free refills either. 

I forgot to mention it earlier, but Amsterdam has a pee spot for men on multiple corners throughout the city. It sounds weird, but it is extremely convenient. It is a little space that is closed off and you go in and just take care of business. It filters into a little drain and your job is done. Very nice. 

Finally, my friends love their coffee and Adam loves espresso. He is addicted. He gets them a few times a day and at McDonald's you can buy little small espresso shots. I find it funny. I don't like caffeine so I just have to laugh at all the espresso.

Onwards to the U.K. and surrounding countries/islands. 

-From the English Channel

Thanks for reading!