Grab a drink. Grab a glass.

LES GUINDAILLES!!!!

2007-12-20T10:58:13Z

Okay, I'm not gonna lie I felt incredibly awkward about participating in Les Guindailles. I was going to both Monday and Tuesday, but I woke up by projectile vomiting Sunday night, so I opted out of Monday. I felt really nervous going to Tuesday because I don't know the 6em class as well and I'm always afraid of being a social outcast. So, I was expecting the worst.

I accidentally stumbled into Alban, Forgotten, and a couple of their friends. So, they invited me au Petit Mousse avec eux. So, I accepted. Then, Vincent came. I said hi and of course he basically avoids my eyes, and we don't talk. So, at first, I was having a pretty shitty time au Petit Mousse. On a bu un verre la mais c'etait tout. Au debut, j'etais tres decu par les guindailles.

Apres ca, on est parti a la friterie. We saw Denis and some other kids I didn't really know. Everyone yells my name, "Holly!" Whenever people do that, it reminds me of like a group of guys in the US who are like "HEY!!! What up!" I had frites avec sauce barbecue. It was disgusting. The barbecue sauce was gross, and there was way too much on them. I met some new people, but I have no idea what their names are.

Then, we went to PN. That's where the fun started. Immediately, someone offers me a drink. Jupiler...People keep offering me drinks for awhile. My face starts turning red as a result. Everyone feels obligated to tell, "Holly, t'es toute rougee!!! T'es bourree!!!!" I vehementely deny this: "Non!!!! C'est normale!!!!" Everyone was so friendly! I didn't feel like a social outcast at all! I knew so many people that I just gravitated from group to group. It was kinda disgusting. Everyone spills drinks, puts out cigs, and it's so crowded in PN. But it's kinda awesome a cause des choses comme ca. And it was absolutely freezing that day. I'm surprised I didn't get sick again.

BUT I was still incredibly troubled by VINCENT!!!! Even when I tried to talk to him, he wouldn't look me in the eyes. At one point, we were alone outside, and I was like "Ca va?? T'es malade?" And he's like "Presqueee..." So I go on to offer him my drink, but he like barely responds to me. I don't know, I'm confused. I even bought him a drink as a friendly gesture but noooo he still was the same. Grrrrr. So, I'm gonna talk to him.

Then, when I left, I give bisous to all the people I know, and some guy is like "Holly," with l'air comme Heyyyy??? T'as pas fait le bis?? Mais je lui ai jamais parle donc c'etait bizarre. Tout le monde me connais mais I don't even know their names...how confusing...

Overall, les guindailles are awesome, and i'm thinking les seules mons(or whatever, the preparation for carnaval) will be even more amazing!!!!

LES GUINDAILLES!!!! remains copyright of the author allumeuse, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Another trip to Brussels

2007-12-16T08:33:22Z

I think I'm going native. I don't think of going shopping at Brussels as cool. When I tell other people I'm going to Brussels, I don't even think they're going to be impressed or think it's awesome. It's just so...normal to me.

Anyway, I went to the Belgian Unions' Strike yesterday. It consisted of walking from Brussels Midi to Brussels Nord, while people make tons of noise with lots of music. I was with the "greens." I actually got an email from BrusselsWarden telling the Americans that we should avoid the area because it might be dangerous for us. Oops.

After that, I attempted to make my way to Rue Neuve/Grand Place to meet Gretchen to go shopping for Christmas gifts. I can't think of one time I've went to Brussels and not gotten lost. I managed to happen on one of the Marche de Noels. Instead of asking for help, I bought du vin chaud. Shit's tasty. It's probably my favorite hot drink. Who doesn't like spiced hot wine in winter time?? Then, I realized I was in the graffiti covered Arab neighborhood of Brussels when I noticed all the women with veils and all dark complexioned men.

Finally, I asked for directions to the Grand Place, and I found my way there without any more problems. Then, I had fun listening to people talk. I heard an obscene amount of British people. Finally, I heard girls talking in an American accent, and I almost followed them out of excitement. Then, I got some ice cream because I make absolutely no sense considering it felt like 0 degrees C/ 32 degrees F. Suddenly, I take notice of these guys with American accents saying "dude....blah blah blah....coool....dude." I creepily listened to them for a few moments before asking where they were from, confirming their American status. I started talking to them. I found out they were in the Army stationed in Italy and in Brussels for 5 days. I was like freakishly enthusiastic about meeting them. I just felt so connected. Anyway, they asked me about Amsterdam and what to see in Brussels. I wasn't much help for Brussels, but I described the surrealness of the city of Amsterdam, filling with hookers, drugs and urinals on the street. I also told them they had to drink Chimay Bleu while they were there. It's probably the manliest beer ever with 8% alcohol and brewed by monks. Finally, Gretchen found me in the middle of my conversation and I managed to drag myself away from my people. The rest of the day was filled with shopping and du vin chaud for me. Then, at la Gare, we found out there were no more trains to Charleroi, so we had to go to Mons, wait and take a train to Charleroi. It sucked. Goddamn strike. Then, I got home, ate pasta, msned and slept. Here I am. I guess not a bad weekend.

Another trip to Brussels remains copyright of the author allumeuse, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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