Just a Hop Skip and a Jump Away!

One of the best things about living in Europe is the summer 3 week holiday. Yes, you heard me, 3 weeks!! This is normal and somewhat mandatory as businesses shut down at various times throughout the summer months. For all you Americans, yes the world can still go on and as predicted, and perhaps a bit more smoother.

Let's face it, vacations are part of the rejuvenation process and 1 week does not cut it. It takes a week to get into a groove and before you know it, it's time to hit the grind again. I don't think that fulfills the purpose. It's like anything cyclic, there is a need to vary the workload, intensity and rest periods. A training plan or even on a grander scale, Nature's seasons. hmmmmm.

As a somewhat independent contractor, I adapted the 3 week vacation in my lifestyle 15 years ago. Aha, it made no sense to me to live my life wishing I had traveled, fantasizing about climbing mountains, riding my bike in Europe, trekking in the Himalayas and Andes, caving in Belize etc.etc. I just flat out made it happen. and guess what? the world went on without me. SHOCK! no, not at all. I realized a long time ago seeing perfectly healthy folks have unexpectedly "have their number up" and others who live unhappily that I wasn't going to succumb to a lifestyle of having "things" verses "doing things".

However in America, 2 week vacations although talked about in benefits packages are not always easy to schedule. Are they paid? perhaps in some jobs, not in mine, and that STILL didn't stop me.
Nonetheless, 3 weeks is absolutely unheard of, how can that be possible?? After all, you are expendable and some other hard working drone will happily take your job. I digress.

On the opposite end of this spectrum is Europe. 3 weeks mandatory summer holiday is expected. Go away! Get out of dodge! Adios! Later Gater! Come back rested and ready to roll. And so it goes. Mr. X's 3 weeks start tomorrow. Late this evening we fill up the car with bikes,extra wheels, gear, food and clothes and set out for 2 weeks in the French Alps. Road trip extraordinaire! I booked an apartment in Vaujany and from there we explore and suffer the cols of the Alps. I am fortunate to have been there 6 years ago and am looking forward to returning as well a riding new routes that Mr.X has planned.
To all you "non cyclists" this may seem like absurdity and yes, it will be painful but the views and descents make it all worth while! Not to mention the cookies.

Au Revoir!

I'm not in San Francisco anymore, Toto!

As a native San Franciscan, I have lived a a good deal of my life in a "temperate" climate. That 7x7 mile peninsula tip has fairly predictable weather patterns. The city has it's micro climates and this is all just normal. Summers are usually filled with cold fog, Autumn usually has the best weather. Winters can vary but before this "climate change" rain was fairly normal.

To summize, a moderate climate with not to many variances. It's a BIG deal to have a thundershower and if it ever hails, people run outside like chicken little and scream the sky is falling!

Well I have moved to the country known for it's weather. In the bike racing world, Belgium is notorious for wind, rain, cold winters, hot summers etc. This California girl is about to enter a reality check.

It's not like I haven't lived outside of the Bay Area. I did spend a year in India and Nepal, 2 years in Auckland New Zealand and a few years near Carson City, Nevada. All of the places have more extreme climates but heck, that was some time ago!

Summer is certainly here. The past few weeks this country has seen some sweltering temperatures and everyone was begging for rain to cool things down. Finally There was a brilliant thunder shower and indeed, the temps dropped. Once again, that is all predictable but today? That was just weird!

It was sunny hot and I was out riding with a friend. He mentioned the weather forecast called for rain later, so I peered up to the sky and saw no rain clouds. "Hmmm, maybe the forecasters are as bad here as in the Bay Area" I'm thinking.
Well sure enough the dark clouds starting appearing. It was time to head back. We said our Goodbyes and took off in opposite directions. I was happy for that tailwind as I knew my time was running short.

Then it hit! About 1km from home, all of a sudden gale force wind came up and dirt was flying in my face and my bike started going sideways! Woah, time to put down the hammer. Just then the rain came pummeling down in buckets! THIS IS WEATHER! No prob, got back and for the next 30 minutes the apartment was shaking. Wind was blowing and the rain seemed torrential. Hahaha! Just like it began, out of nowhere it stopped. The sun came out and everything resumed to normal. Errr except for that speed limit sign in front of the building!

Greetings and Salutations

It was a BIG day on Thursday...I finally got my I-phone sorted out and am now back to the "connected" side of the world. Actually I was doing quite fine without it (let's say after the initial 48 hours of disconnect). Once the fingers calmed down, It was actually nice to not have the "world" at my fingertips 24/7. A flashback to what life used to be like. quite relaxing, really.

Nonetheless, it's time to jump back to the "real" world again and be on the grid. At this point, the phone is not ringing off the hook, but I foresee a future of clients, friends etc. needing to get a hold of me and voila, I have a phone! Those of you with I-phones or any other "smart" devices know they are not JUST phones, but email boxes, instant cameras, facebook update vehicles, I-pods and a source of many other entertaining options.

For any of you who have lived or spent a significant amount of time in a foreign county whose main language is NOT English, you may understand this. It's not that I'm not trying, but my Dutch skills are not quite up to par. If one's vocabulary is greater than a 10 year old's or if you are NOT talking about bike racing, there is a GREAT chance I'm going to lose the conversation. I know, I've only been here 3 1/2 weeks but Jeeze, it feels so strange to feel stupid. When in these situations with a room full of ALL native speakers who are related and/or friends to boot, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. As they banter on with gestures and exuberance, a blank look does not get many points. At that point, my brain is going somewhere completely different. Perhaps composing a workout, thinking about my friends and family, or maybe just what I'm going to eat next. Not all rocket science. This is where the I-phone is handy. At a family birthday party this afternoon, I hit that place. However today, I could go online, follow he Tour de France, read emails and still be a part of the room full of Flemish speakers. Yes, it seems very rude of me but on the other hand, if I'm staring blankly into space and can't contribute to the conversations, why not??? I used to nudge Mr X regularly for some translations, but that got old fast. There is no way a person can do that with keeping a flow going...

This brings me to greetings and salutations. In the USA, we normally answer with a hello or perhaps "this is XXX". I've heard some folks say "Yo" while others pick up and say "yes". That one always seemed a bit rude, but nonetheless it exists. From what I can disseminate, it is similar here. Halo, met XXX, etc. All in all, not too different.

The Goodbye, on the other hand is not so predictable. I've always been fond of bye bye, see you later, and just plain bye. Here? hmmmm. The first time I heard Mr X signing off on a phone call I cracked up! I'm not sure if it is just a regional dialect thing, or a mod "outta here" style thing or what, but this is how he and many others that my keen ear had picked up say. It sounds like a loud "A-yo!" and if you are old enough to have watched the tonight show with Johnny Carson and his loyal sidekick, Ed McMahon, you would know the sound. Believe me, this is it! I have repeated in numerously after Mr. X hangs up just because it is so inviting to say! Loudly with a chuckle I repeat after him hi-yo.. This is so cool! How did this phrase come to be? Do they even know Ed McMahon? Clearly Ed McMahon was a serious imbiber, maybe he was an Irish Flandrian? Perhaps he had heard about the 400 varieties of beer here, had a major bender and when he left the drinking establishments gave out his special ByeBye.

I doubt I'll ever know but as soon as those calls start coming in, you can guess what I'm going to say....

Give us our Daily Bread!

It doesn't take long to learn the basics and in this household, it is about Bread. Yes, I said bread.

In every Belgian town there are at least a couple local bakeries. Beside location, different operating hours, they offer various types of baked goods and specialties of the area. Some have an elaborate selection of pastries and tarts while others specialize in various breads.

In our house, there are GOOD bakeries and NOT SO GOOD bakeries. I was told early on which ones made the cut.
Like the USA, you can find bread sold in the markets and even in the supermarket, BUT heavens no, this is a LAST resort.

Before coming here, I was not a big bread consumer. Somewhere back in my carb depleting days, I took it out and ever since then, it really didn't rate high enough in the taste/fun spectrum to warrant the caloric intake. I happily replaced it with other grains and my all time favorite the Sweet Potato. I know the sweet potato is a vegetable but it's a starchy carb. High in vitamins and fiber. Yum. My bike friends all remember seeing one wrapped in foil in my back pocket on many occasions! I haven't searched for any here but also have not seen them either. White potatoes are EVERYWHERE. After all, this is the land of Frittes. Thankfully I am not a fried food fan.

Therefore, in lieu of my sweet potato loss, I have returned to the world of bread. WOW, I'm impressed.

In my new world that consists of bread being the #1 staple, what happens when one is too late and misses the bakery? Have no worry! As a last resort there is the "Broodautomaat". For all those busy or forgetful bees, outside of most bakeries, there is a wonderfully strange vending machine that holds the remaining breads of the day. Voila! You are no longer bread-less..

On one of my many visits here, Mr. X had committed to cooking/catering for a friend's party. We had the kids here that day and he was juggling cooking 3-4 different items. There was a tinge of stress in the kitchen. All of a sudden Mr X remembers we have no bread! It was Sunday. I ran out to one of the not so good bakeries and it was closed. I sheepishly came back bread-less and then remembered the broodautomaat! "Hmmm, can't be tough" I thought, and I'll save the day.

I approach the big machine outside the now closed bakery. Insert a 2 euro coin. It opens. What kind? All the writing is in Flemish! The shelf that appears to have the "wit brood" is empty! Oh no, what's the etiquette here? Can I open up the bags and have a look? Is the door on a timer? Should I get one? "Think fast" I say and grab a bag. Whew..took a look. IT HAD RAISINS!! Oh that shouldn't be a problem, I think as at least it's bread. I proudly bring my purchase into the kitchen. Holy S**t! you'd think I had just brought in a loaf of moldy dry bread crusts.

I freaked and ran out to the closest local market around the corner. I approached their limited selection of bread in the case. I studied them for raisins. I found a loaf that fit the bill. Oh no, I have to slice it! first of all the USA if you are to buy a loaf of unsliced bread you have to either take it home and slice it yourself OR some insured employee takes it from you and does the dirty deed. Here? They have a "serve yourself" apparatus. Instructions you say? Yes, but again not in "Engels". My eyes scoured the store hoping someone else would be buying a loaf and I could nonchalantly watch them do it first. Not a soul went for it. Thoughts of finger shredding went through my brain. I opened the large metal door. I put the bread it. I pushed the button! I closed my eyes and yes, the loaf was beautifully sliced :) All 10 digits still intact, I paid the clerk and ran to the apartment. I was redeemed! We were a household of bread with and without raisins and life could now go back to normal.

At some point, I explained my vending machine woes to Mr X and he had no clue! He didn't know I had bought it there. Nor did he know that broodautomaats are non existent in California. He, of course, apologized yet I WILL NEVER look at a raisin the same.

Bicycling is King (just don't tell Albert)

I am in bliss. This place I now call home is one of the most bicycle friendly countries in the world with all sides of the spectrum represented. On any given day, I can see a world class racer riding along the channel as well as everyone's Oma (grandma) riding a bike down the road with her Lady friends. (yes even the elderly still ride bikes here). Families routinely take the kids out for a spin and I even saw a man pushing his disabled Dad with a special wheelchair attachment. Egad! Bikes are a "normal" mode of transportation.

Coming from San Francisco and being a regular bike commuter, I had quickly learned to be a "defensive cyclist". Getting car doored one to many times, hit by a taxi cab, and even knocked down by a runner wearing headphones who decided at last minute to change direction, it is just an unfortunate reality and sadly, just an inevitable statistic for trying to be healthier and a bit greener in the big city. I called my commute an urban assault.
I accepted this and rode anyway. Apparently it doesn't have to be like this!

In my numerous travels to Europe for various cycling events, I noted a HUGE difference in the acceptance of the bicycle not only as a sport but as a viable mode of transportation. Throughout France finely coiffed women pedal down the streets with a baguette in the basket. In Italy a babushka like Grandmother rides her ornately decorated street to the market for produce. They do not have to fight traffic nor don their battle gear. There is an unspoken understanding that this mode of transportation is viable and there is no animosity among the traffic. Hmmmmm.

In Belgium, it is even more structured. Most roads have a specially designated bike section which sometimes is shared with the footpath. If on a footpath, as in a town, the cyclist has the right of way. Wahoo! Ring a bell or call out hello and the pedestrian or slower cyclists moves to the right. it is so logical!!! why is it it the USA, you do that and the pedestrian either freaks out and/or gives you an earful?
Mostly the bike lanes are painted on the shoulder of the road. There is normally ample space for cars to ride alongside. This brings me to my all time traffic favorite: the round-a-bout! This little gem is such a wonderful tool for keeping the flow of traffic for everyone. Once again the bicycle gets the same right of way as the car!!! I am now in heaven.
For those of you readers who are my American cycling friends, you completely understand the bewilderment and utter joy I am having as I am no longer a target or insignificant traffic obstacle. HALLELUJAH, this is the cycling promised land.

Ok, it's not all so hunky dory. ???? Being a west coast California girl, I'm used to perfectly squared out cities and towns. Streets logically intersect and occasionally loop around. Some in the San Francisco even dare to run diagonally and after careful map studying, I accepted that. But here, it's all crazy circles and confusing route planning. Here's an example: In addition to the regular bike lanes, there is an extensive network of designated bike routes called the fietsroutenetwerk that have blue numbered plates and connect all over the state of Limburg. I bought the map so I could explore the area and try various routes. Think circles, loops and circles. Hey to get the miles, ah I mean kilometers in, I have to surrender to the circle. I'm used to navigating using the sun and have a decent sense of direction but when I've gone riding with one of Mr. X's friends, I swear we were going in circles! I pointed to him where I thought our final destination was and he was surprised, and said yes, yet we still turned the opposite way! Aye ca-rumba, the circle is my new friend.........

Cats have 9 lives and so do I!

It's been 3 weeks since I took the plunge. Yes, I did it. Left my other life to start all over again! I know lots of folks thought I was crazy to do this, many thought brave, while others just wondered, but I knew that I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do it. No, I'm not going to live my life saying "what if ?"..ah ah, not me.

Here's what happened: Out of no where, and I mean NO WHERE, I met a wonderful man unlike any I had met in the USA in the past 20 years. One who has all the qualities and beliefs that I do. One who is dedicated to his family and responsible for his actions. A man whose word is golden. Does what he says! Oh my, follows through and most importantly does not put himself first when it is not right. That is commendable. Not to mention he is a fantastic cyclist and loves the bike. These seem to be rare qualities today in the male species in San Francisco. Now I know that may offend some of you men readers, but trust me if you are like this, you are already spoken for. Am I right?

OK, a little history:
After my 12 year marriage dissolved, I had a good 15 years on my own. After dating men who just didn't seem to be "the one", I stupidly found my self in a relationship with one who was not truthful, considerate or sincere, but I somehow dismissed it. All I can say now is " MY BAD". I overlooked all the important signs as I thought he was the one!!! I learned the hard way that I was VERY VERY wrong. After that debacle, I gave up. I sincerely thought I already used up my chances and maybe being single is what's supposed to be! At that point, I made a complete attitude adjustment. I decided to focus on all the GOOD people in my life. I should focus on putting my positive energy to all my existing wonderful friends, clients and colleagues. Not that I already didn't but now I gave a greater appreciation that I had this!! I felt blessed. No longer would I give to those who would just take it and run without some sort of positive return. with that, I don't mean monetarily, but truth and true friendship. Life was once again GOOD.

Then it happened. I was so content "doing my own thing". Of course, for those who know me means I had some training intense training goal. This time I chose a one day cycling event in the Italian alps. 3 BIG epic climbs all is one day!!! YES, my kind of fun. Being used to doing things (even taking adventures alone) I thought nothing of spending 5 days in the Dolomites training and acclimating before the race day. Sure it would have been nicer to share it with my friends, but no one could come and play, so I had to represent solo!

It was there that I met Mr. X. Immediately, he treated me like a true gentleman and wooed me in an old fashioned way. I was completely caught off guard. After a brief whimsical conversation 2 days before the big bicycle event, he unbeknown to me, went out of his way to search me out. I had no clue! As I reached the finish line after 9 hours of climbing and descending, I euphorically reached the end in the afternoon heat. As I rolled over the line, I heard someone call my name! "Who knows me here?" I'm thinking as I trekked up to this mountain town solo and spent the last 5 days training alone. There he was, all cleaned up and smiling. I still had no clue. "What a coincidence", I thought. "there is that nice Belgian guy". If you have ever done any long distance grueling physical event, you will understand the euphoria that occurs afterward as well as the loss of logical thoughts. "Hey, how was your race?", I say. "I finished 2 hours ago" said the Belgian. Even then it didn't register in my head why he'd be at the finish line 2 hours later. "oh great!" I said and we began to go over details of the climbs etc. Our conversation flowed freely, our sense of humor and energy seemed to flow. Again I thought nothing much of it except I was SO happy to talk to someone!!! (a nice someone to boot) I will not bore you with the details but can now happily say one year later we are going to get married and here I am living in Belgium. ( However Mr X did confess to looking up my name/race number at the registration and that his waiting at the finish line was NO coincidence) I was so naive.

So why am I blogging? I'd like to share my experiences/observations of a new American Expat trying to meld into a new culture. Sure, it's going to take time and I know that, but sharing it can broaden someone else view of life elsewhere. After all there is life outside of the US of A. Please don't get me wrong I will always be proud to be an American, I just want to show another view.

so if this interests, feel free to read and comment!

Tot Ziens!
ExpaticaPantz