Cedric

I met Cedric while my staying in Peru. He is from Brussels, but now working in PWC in Luxembourg. When they announced me that I am going to stay three months in Brussels, I wrote him and we both decided that it is great opportunity to meet after so much time and talk a little bit.

This weekend he came to Brussels and stayed few more days. We had great lunch together and actually, spent the whole afternoon talking, walking a bit around the city and enjoying exhibition of photos from all over the world in Park of Brussels (great idea to organise photo exhibition in park, isn't it?) . We discussed Peru a lot and his trips all around the world. I did not know that he is such a traveller. He was in North and South America, Africa, all around the Europe and has plans to visit Asia and the other parts of this beautiful world.

He invited me to visit him in Luxembourg. I would definitely love to see this town one more time. When I was 13, I decided that one day I will come back. Curious, how will I feel about it after so much time.

Magical pairs of EYES

Eyes ... I wished so many times to be able to read in people's eyes. So many feelings and emotions could be seen besides dark eyelashes. Unfortunately, we never know what this special look exactly means. We can just try to guess.

I remember several special looks. Or better said, several special pairs of eyes. Those of my parents, of my brother, my best friend from Bratislava -Aďka and few more ...

Magic world of Place Lux

Before coming here I had just little information about Brussels. One thing I heard a lot about was Place Luxemburg, so called Place Lux. Many people say that it is place where one definitely have to go while visiting Brussels. Place where all eurocrats meet after work having glass of beer or wine in Ralf's bar, enjoying "happy hour".

Finally, on Friday I got in this magical world full of suits, different badges and good-looking people. Roeland invited me to go out with his friends. Meeting in Ralph's. When I was approaching Place Lux, I was totally surprised and amazed. There were so many people standing in front of the Ralf's bar, on the road, sitting on the grass, chatting and meeting others while drinking beer. Roof of the car parking nearby was covered by empty glasses. I just could not believe my eyes. Most of them very well dressed. Due to great weather everybody was outside, inside the bar was totally empty.

I realised that this is probably meeting point of the stagiairs and assistants and other people working in EP. Place where one can meet the others and relax a bit after long working hours.

The next day, on Saturday evening, the place was totally empty and Ralf's bar was closed. Such a great difference in comparison to the previous day.

Real Friday evening

After quite a long time I had opportunity to enjoy Friday evening the way students like to enjoy it. I could leave work at 3:30 p.m. (!!!), but I needed to go to the library, so it took me one hour more. After work we went to the Brussels park with Ivana and Anka. It is such a great place to relax and to enjoy a piece of nature in the middle of the city.

Afterwards, I had some beers with Roeland, his friends and Palo. We left around midnight, but in spite of the late hour, I was not tired enough to go home and sleep. That is why we decided to go for a walk to the city center. Palo promised me to show me nice garden called Parc du Sablon. We came there and realised that it is closed already. Fortunately, the fence was not so high, so we scrambled it over and got into the garden. Seeing it by night, I added it to my list of magical places here in Brussels.

Parks in Brussels

What I really love in Brussels are all these parks where people sit on the grass, relax and sunbath (some of them already in their swimming suits :-)) The others are practising different kinds of sport, chatting, eating or doing whatever they want.

At lunch time we met with Roeland in front of EP. He actually works in one lobbying company situated on the corner of Place Lux (I can see his window from my office). He told me that he knew the best sandwich bars around.

This sandwich bar that he showed me is probably well-know all around, because there were quite a lot of people buying their sandwiches there. I had Brazilian one - special combination of fruit, cheese, carrots and mix of mayonnaise and ketchup. Seems probably weird and crazy, but it was DELICIOUS :-))

We were eating in the park. Even people wearing elegant suits sit on the grass and have their lunch there :-)) It is just great habit. I love it.

:-) too nostalgic ... sometimes :-))

Clint wrote me today - we are still in touch. He answered my email in ten minutes. He is leaving to YNP on Monday. Curious if we meet once again someday in the future. Remember the last day very well. I found his name tag on my red jumper. And then the way from Old Faithfull to Bozeman "on" Carl's car. Enjoying the sun while listening to Modest Mouse. Love that music.

We talked about Work and Travel program tonight with Ivana. Now I feel so happy about having the opportunity to see how the life is going on there, to visit USA, to travel a bit and the most important - to LIVE it. It is weird how one's point of view can change after some time.

Really busy?? (really LiVe #6)

Ivana told me that she was watching plenary in Strasbourg on-line from Brussels this afternoon. Less than 100 deputes were present ...

From 785 deputes 76 participated in the plenary. The rest was probably on their way to Brussels, or even better, home - to enjoy weekend.

Busy job, isn't it?