November 10th - 1st Day in Antwerp

November 10th


Ok, it is done. I am on my own in the apartment, my hosts left last night at 10 pm. I have spend tha last few days and last night making this apartment my own. The women living here, must be the all time clutter queens, unbeliveble!
Every nook and cranny holds something, including dirt. But I am feeling good about what it is becoming.
I am sleeping on a waterbed, anyone? It was surprisingly comfortable, I had a lot of deliberations beforehand, but it was fine.
I ma on the 3rd floor with a view of windows and roofs of all shapes and sizes, mostly attractive, some run down
When I learn how to put pics on here I will.

This neighborhood is an odd mix between new and old, it reminds me of some places in NYC (Washington Heights) as they were being gentrified.
I hear many languages in the street, mostly turkish and maroccan, but an amazing presence of portugese.
The stores vary from the "Turkish bakery" (delish) to good old supermarkets, more expensive and all packaged. I will have to learn where what to buy.

I have been sick, flu-like, which has been very challenging. Cough cough cough and feeling all around miserable.
This must have been the hardest two weeks I have had in a long time, being alone and all
Flamish is much more of a different language that I thought, and I cannot understand it a lot of the time when they speak amongst themselves.

Recycling

is an artform here. Paper in one place, white glass dropped off in a container, dark glass in another, plastic in especially designed bags (you get big penalties for doing anything diffenent!), green garbage, etc
Everyone takes it extremely serious, also because it is costly not to....)
Also interesting, that people here do not want to spend money on elctronics, that is, TV, internet. Phones yes. BUtnotTV.I was in a room with 12 people the other night and only 3 people had a TV! And complaining non-stop about the cost. So they pirate from their neighbors!
Water use is paid for, so everybody is very frugal about taking showers, doing the dishes - mostly with cold water - and using heat. I remember how cold the house used to be when I grew up, and always attributed it to lack of central heat. Which was true, but also the resistence in spending money on heat.
Everyone wears sweater inside and sleeps in icy rooms.(icy to me)

Walked tp the Central Station today - I have not been anywhere much yet - which must be the most attractive railway station everq anywhere, what architecture! On the way there you go to the "chinese street" which is exactly what it sounds like, all chinees (one thai)

Tomorrow my dear friend from Holland is coming, which will be delightful. I have not had friend to talk to for two weeks (other than short spurts with my family). It is truly lonely and I did not realize I was going to land on Mars.
And now I did, never been there before, you?