Belgium

I went to Antwerp during the second half of the year, to visit my old friend Lotte. We have kept in touch with each other via real, paper letters after meeting the first time in Finland in 1997-98. It was so great to finally meet up again. The last we had met was 6 or 7 years pervious in the U.S.

It was a really relaxing, comforting trip and once again, a nice little break from bad weather and this time, a schedule that was starting to get a touch stale. I spent much time walking around, seeing the city, taking photos.

I got to try french fries (oh, sorry guys, freedom fries), which I had no idea were originally a Belgian thing, and great chocolate, and finally, good beer, for a reasonable price. In Finland it is either really horrible beer for a ridiculously expensive price, or good beer for a ridiculously expensive price.

One of my favorite parts of Belgium was Gent, a city with a wonderful layout and relaxed atmosphere. There are many students and a University there, so that has much to do with it. Antwerp was also wonderful and well designed and I loved exploring it.

The greatest however, was just catching-up with and seeing the life of an old friend. I got to see her previous apartment I wrote the address of many times on letters and also the newer one, which I have written, for the first time. We walked to sights familiar to her and went to great local coffee shops she went to, etc. It was just what I needed.

I hope to make it back there one of these days, before I am old and moldy.

Thanks Lotte.