Antwerp to Brussels

train day. I stopped in Ghent for a couple of hours, slumping on a bench in a quiet park with my bags. lovely autumn colours. I called Blake until it was time for him to sleep and for me to board the next train.

I arrived at my hostel in Brussels at around half past three. after showering I went out to explore the city. the buildings are much taller here, though there’s a lot of beauty to be found around most corners.

pretty happy with my decision - Brussels is beautiful. I watched the sun set from atop Mont des Arts, before finding myself some food. in bed earlier tonight. I’ll try to run in the morning - there’s a lot to see here, and with such a short time I need to make the most of my visit. <<

Antwerp

even though I started running later than usual, the sky was dark for the first half. I ran through the tunnel under the river with the constant stream of cyclists commuting to early work shifts. in a park on the other side of the river I tripped, which put me off for a little while, but the skies cleared as the dark blue of the sky softened into day.

after napping and showering I ventured off to the contemporary art museum. the work was *very* contemporary, and I felt a little out of my depth at times in regards to how I should be interpreting things.

a lot of soap.

a pretty painting.

I was able to appreciate the architecture of the older parts of the city as I made my way to the Museum Aan De Stroom. it’s a pretty place, and I think I’d enjoy it a lot with friends.

the museum provides a pretty radical contrast in regards to architecture, towering over the docks. 

a lot of art from different periods, all sitting side by side within the same displays.

my favourite painting from the gallery, a depiction of a whale float from a festival in the city center centuries ago.

kebab for dinner. traditional Belgian foods proving surprisingly hard to find here. in bed nice and early tonight. I might do some reading as Australia wakes up. a lot of missing today: friends, family, familiarity. loved ones. how lucky am I to have so much to miss? <<

Amsterdam to Antwerp

the first goodbye of at least three for Fieke and I on this adventure. in the morning I ran when she left for work. the river was pretty and the clouds were too. it only started raining just as I made it back to the house.

after packing my bags and showering I enjoyed breakfast and a nice long chat with Sietske and Fred. we exchanged gifts - two bags of papernoten for me, ferrero rocher and the lonely planet guide to Tasmania for them. very big hugs. Fred walked me to the tram to wave me off. they were thanking me for visiting - and I couldn’t help but laugh. they have been so kind to me.

I met Fieke at Amsterdam Central, where we enjoyed our last hot chocolate together before hugging goodbye. I nearly fell asleep on the train, though the trip to Belgium was super quick.

evening walk after checking into the hostel. galleries tomorrow - maybe a run in the morning. it’s a pretty city and I’m excited to explore.

missing lots of people I love. feeling very lucky. <<

Tuinders

another quiet morning. instead of going for a run I called Amelia. we updated each other on our worlds. it was really nice hearing her voice.

Fieke and I joined Sietske and Fred for a lovely brunch of bread and cheeses, before riding the bikes around the city to the nursing home of Fred’s mother. we sat in the courtyard with coffee and appreciated the blue sky, which we had not seen in a while.

Fred made us a delicious dish of roast veggies with cashews and rice, enjoyed with a mix of yoghurt and mustard. after dinner Fieke and I commuted to her brother’s apartment. he and his partner treated us to some pretty phenomenal cocktails. lots of laughing and snacking on papernoten.

I have been spoiled here by this beautiful family. pure luck has found me a friendship with Fieke, a generous person with whom I share some things in common. with open arms her family has welcomed me into their home. I’ll be sad to leave tomorrow, though I count myself so very lucky to have enjoyed their kindness. on we go. <<

pancakes etc

a quiet day. I woke and felt like running. taking Fred’s advice, I ran down to the Amstel river, which I followed into Oudekerk, a cute village on the water not far from Amstelveen.

I called mum when I returned. we chatted about Christmas and her new waffle machine. Fieke said hi and got to meet the new cat.

we made pancakes for brunch, after which I made my way into the city to search for a thank you gift for Fred and Sietske. the lanes were crowded but I managed okay. Amsterdam is still very pretty to me, and I could see myself spending a lot more time here.

Fred made us his famous pea soup for dinner, which we enjoyed with rye bread and cheese from Vlieland. Fieke and I spent the evening laughing and being quite silly (I’ll blame our viewing of ‘The Muppets’ for this). a really lovely way to end the day - i don’t want to leave.

<<

museumplein

gallery day today. I met Joel at the Rijkmuseum after spending the morning on call with Blake. we spent a couple of hours wandering through the galleries finding our favourite animals in paintings whilst Fieke attended class.

the original sculpture design of a six metre tall monument unveiled in memory of the destruction of the bombing of Rotterdam during the second world war.

between her classes, Fieke met us for lunch. we enjoyed bagels and a walk between galleries. whilst Fieke took her second class, Joel and I snacked on papernoten before venturing on separate missions: Joel to Moco, the contemporary art gallery I’d visited during my first stay in the city, and me to the Stedelijk Museum, where I enjoyed some solo time.

a (nearly) abstract impression of David.

Brazilian artist Abdias Nascimento, whose work really impressed me today.

contemporary Klimt?

after our separate ventures we all linked up again, sitting by the canal and laughing as the skies darkened. we enjoyed dinner at a ramen place before an evening walk, stopping for drinks - I had told Joel he could not leave the country without trying a proper Dutch hot chocolate.

a really special day, for which I am feeling very lucky. maybe some solo exploring of the city tomorrow - Fieke has work, and I’m still yet to spend a proper day finding my way around. still need to plan the next couple of weeks. grateful for being here and trying not to take my luck for granted. <<

rainy day

it was a rainy day in Amsterdam. as Fieke studied this morning, I tried to sort out some life admin, booking flights and sending emails. we went for a walk together through the fog, after which we made tortillas for lunch.

I caught the tram into town and walked by the canals to Kriterion - student run cinema. I sat in the cafe with a hot chocolate and wrote in my journal. missing home and feeling a little overwhelmed, it was a good way for me to spend a rainh afternoon.

I walked further into the city as the rain softened, visiting Fieke at work before catching the tram home.

I enjoyed dinner with Fieke’s parents - Fred made us tortalini, and Sietske prepared a delicious pumpkin pie. I feel at home with them and feel so very lucky to be enjoying their company and hospitality.

Nash, Joel and I called to sort out some travel plans, after which Fieke came home. we drank tea and called it a day soon after. I’m thinking of visiting some galleries tomorrow. Joel will be catching the train into Amsterdam too, so we will spend time together again. going gently and trying to stay present and appreciate what I have. <<