The Way It All Went Down

renting a car from Europcar was easy (I still owe Rebecca money...oops).

reading a map of Europe is hard (well, the signs/cities/etc are in multiple languages)

following road signs ON the road is impossible - what the heck EU??!?

laughing with Mike and Becca was essential. check out pics and videos (facebook)

screaming words in terrible/obnoxious french or german accents was hilarious. "AUSFART!!"

A Picture's Worth 1,000 Words

so I put 180 photos on facebook...

until I find more time to post a written entry...enjoy some photo stories :)

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=2042466&id=59200126&ref=nf

i don't know if that link will work. but we're facebook friends so look it up ! 2,500km of FUN [Part I, II, III]

Cheers

2,500km of fun

Part I of the catch-up-up-date-up-to-date...

the LEGENDARY ROAD TRIP of TEAMSMANSHIP

began on a sunny, autumn day in October. Rental car neatly packed with three large backpacks, the Lonely Planet Europe guide book, yummy snacks leftover from UN Day at ISB and the one-and-only spaceship (referring to Mike's I-phone)

The following eight days will live on in history...

And here we go...

"first knight in french"

here's a humble attempt at some poetry inspired by a late night in Brussels. The city is filled with life and laughter and beautiful people speaking french. In June, maybe I'll try the poem in french...

"first knight in french"

what if EVERYTHING I said was right
and all the words in French TONIGHT
would you still dance that awkward pride
and take me round that slippery slide
'you're so SWEET' she said without a smile
and in my gut crept up denial
this is my sunny Saturday and you cannot
'take me now' for all I've got

without the freedom to be GOOD
and write tell you all the things I SHOULD
it feels like you're about to do
that thing you do that makes you you
forever LOST inside your misplaced feelings
upside down standing on the ceilings
of all the words that never came out
when all we did was whisper SHOUT

if you could CHANGE everything I've known
and finally reap the LOVEI've sown
I'd be a butterfly riding the air
singing a bird's song without a care
thinking back to paint the scene
for me this time, without your green
and I mean it this time 'you're so SWEET'
if only...
we could meet

what if everything I said was RIGHT
and all the words in French TONIGHT

ca va

Brussels to Brussels (creative title pending…)

I know I've talked about this strange coincidence that I'm from a place called Brussels. And now I live in a place called Brussels once again. (If you're bored already, I suggest searching youtube videos of "Flight of the Conchords". If interested, read on). This ironic town-name keeps coming up in conversation, like it's somehow a scripted theme that the witty writers of my screenplay life keep coming back to. So I'm going to humor them by thinking another thought or two. What have I got to lose?

Also, I'm thinking about entering a travel-blog contest through DeepTravelers.org (I could win $500)

Brussels to Brussels (People, Places & Food)

Brussels, Belgium – the capital of the European Union & cultural melting pot. Population: 1.4 million (over 30% composed of expats).

Brussels, Wisconsin – the oldest Belgian settlement in the United States of America. Population: 1,112 (98% of pop. composed of Caucasians).

Now, if you were me, how would you explain that you’re living in Brussels (the big one in Belgium) and that you’re really from Brussels (the little one in the US)? Oh yeah, and remember, you don’t speak French yet…or Dutch/Flemish…or German, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese… last time I checked, even my English needed some work.

Well, I guess I’ve got some explaining to do. How did I get to this beautifully diverse city smack dab in the middle of Europe? I traveled here of course! It all started like all good stories do: when I was a young boy, born and raised in a small town in Door County, WI—a town famous for Door County Cherries, fresh cheese curds, and more shoreline than any county in the United States. That being said, the number of people that visit this quaint, little tourist attraction on a yearly basis still doesn’t add up to the number of full-time residents living in Brussels, Belgium. So what makes Brussels, WI so great? I’ll tell you.

The people. I have a fondness in my heart for towns with fascinating people. I love Brussels, WI for the people, the stories, the food, the earth, the possibilities, the view, and the cheese curds! In my short 24 years on this great planet I have done my fair share of traveling. And one thing I know is that people, including yours truly, love food! I have found that some of my most enjoyable traveling memories consist of me, a few close friends or family members, a good view and quality food. Much can be said of a window view at one of Door County’s enchanting shoreline restaurants. Or how about a picnic amidst the hussle n bussle of Frisbees, canine companions and waffle-selling trucks in a sunny Boits de la Cambre in Brussels, Belgium (One of my favorite green spots in the city if you haven’t been!). Give me food and a view and I am happy. Merci beaucoup. Muchas Gracias. I mean, thank you. And yeah, don’t forget the people.

Last night, after soaking up the Belgian sun, I called a few expat friends living here in Brussels to meet up. Together we enjoyed a few Westmalle Tripples, in the proper glasses of course, before heading off to Av. des Courses 27 for an evening of music and socializing. On arrival I looked up to read the hand-painted sign “Sans Souci Social Cloub.” And for those of you who may find a translation useful (as I did): “No Worries Social Club.” Simple enough venue—not really a club at all, but the basement of a dance studio and living space. The home of Adrian, Nicolas, and [tie-died hippie friend with cute nose piercing]. Excuse the missing name as I just met her last night and by this time in the night we were more concerned with the quality of music and beer than remembering each other’s foreign names so we smiled and kissed gently on the cheek. It was clearly a “No Worries” gathering of friends to enjoy good music, dancing, beer drinking, laughing and stories.

The entertainer was a beautiful, young Belgian woman who sang and told stories through poetic monologue and dramatic facial expressions. Her voice was sweet and sinister enough to compliment the clever accompanist leaning effortlessly against the wall. Quite a dynamic pairing these two were. Song after story, the space filled with laughter and sincere applause. I was glad to be present on the hard, cold basement floor, to be part of an authentic night of French wit and musical comedy. I was surprised to find myself quite comfortable in this French-speaking setting, maybe the most at ease I’ve been thus far in my 10 weeks in Brussels. I wonder if I’ll ever forget the faces of my new friends sitting next to me on the floor. We smiled and brought each other beers for the ensuing hours. There was an unspoken appreciation for what we were experiencing, part of this unique Belgian culture, rich in stories, brews, and generosity. Give me food and give me a view. And don’t forget the beer and kind-hearted people, si vous plea. J

So that’s why I’ve traveled to Brussels, Belgium from Brussels, Wisconsin. Maybe it’s sort of a simple story now that I sit back and read it myself. But isn’t it nice to reflect and feel content with the simple things around us? The people, the stories, you’ve heard it before…

I have embraced the differences. I have been surprised by the similarities. And I continue to thoroughly enjoy eating as much as humanly possible. I’ve always been a fan of irony and coincidence so I think it is fair to say that is has been quite a trip living in a different city with the same small-town name.

"You're From Brussels?" said the Belgian...

Last night I was invited to a dinner party by my new Belgian friend, Nicolas. We met at a contact jam a few weeks ago and he is a really kind soul. His english is excellent (or at least as good as mine!) as he has studied for many years and lived in America for one. You can probably guess where I'm going with this one...

When he asked me where I was from I answered 'a small town in the midwest.' He preceeded to share that he actually lived in Wisconsin for one year. Now it's getting interesting. Turns out he spent a year in Appleton, WI (a small city just an hour south of my hometown!). We laughed and talked about BRUSSELS, WI. Even though he was well aware of the town, many people are amazed such a place exists. Or they know of it and have never met anyone who has ventured across the big water from there to here.

Well, here I am.

Dinner at Nicolas' was quite incredible. I learned about the difference between 'soup' and 'bouya'. Never knew so much about Belgian cooking (and I wonder if my grandma knows about what we've been calling 'bouya' for so many years...). Something to write home about. Food, Wine, Laughter, lots of French (oh yeah, I still need to learn that), dancing, more laughing, and of course--CHOCOLATE! I retired to a spare bedroom (several stories above our hang out area)sometime after 3am. I woke up to sunshine through the window and a cat sitting on the window cil. So then I left - I'm allergic to cats!!

I am so grateful for the kind Belgian (and French, Greek, European) hospitality I received this weekend. I'm now off to a wine and cheese party with another 'real Belgian' I met with some of the interns a few weeks ago. It's a great way to really learn about this beautiful, complicated, European culture. Here's to making new friends and trying new wines!!

Keeping In Contact

When I first thought about moving to Europe, I knew I wanted to find my way into a dance scene. Particularly: CONTACT IMPROVISATION (ci)

Contact is a dance of physics-momentum, gravity, inertia, energy, time, space. (CI) is a dance technique in which points of physical contact provide the starting point for exploration through movement improvisation... And the rest we just make up along the way ! :)

The past three weekends I have been lucky enough to take part in jams around Brussels. Finding a small, loft studio with eight other dancers one week to an open warehouse covered with marly and 20 movers the next. I am very much looking forward to finding new, hidden corners of dance in this great city.

here's a short video of me dancing CI in PA this past summer (celebrating Contact's 36th birthday!!)

I Think They're Teaching Me...

After one month of teaching, I have learned so much:

On Friday I wore blue jeans and a red polo (according to "The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher" by Wrong & Wrong, elementary-aged children really enjoy primary colors!). We just finished painting self portraits in Kindergarten Art and I was observing some of the masterpieces. I also made one of my own, modeling the proper form when holding a paint brush and how to add extra details like pockets or multiple colors to our clothing. A young boy approached me near the drying rack and said, "That one is yours." When I asked him how he knew, he responded in his cute, russian accent. "Your pants are blue. Also, your shirt is red. And also you have moooo-stash!" I love kids. And I LOVE Fridays!
















My name is Blake. Not Mr. Blake. Not Mr. Nellis. Not even "Ummm...Miss Blake, I mean Sir Blake" (oh yes, I've heard it all). So I ask the five/six year olds what their name is, then I ask what I should call them. Then I repeat that my name is Blake and they can call me just BLAKE. Most seem to understand. (apparently that's not how all teachers want to be addressed!) ;) But there are always a few that make me laugh (I mean, MRS. BLAKE! thank goodness for laughter).

Sitting in class with students, the music specialists reviewed the importance of raising hands before speaking. Near the end of the class she asked, "now what is the MOST important thing to remember when you want to say something?" And in almost perfect unison, 18 children anxiously yelled out "REMEMBER TO RAISE YOUR HAND!" Needless to say, none of their hands were raised. Oh, elementary education.

While observing some preschoolers play with toy animals, I approached and asked if they knew the names of all the animals. They recognized the rooster just as a chicken (but were great at the sound!) so I helped explain the difference between the boy and girl chicken. Then I asked, a bright young girl if she knew what time of day the rooster crowed. She replied with the sound and a smile, "Wednesday!"

http://picasaweb.google.com/movingdance/ISBPhotoSavers?authkey=DV2FCE4wWsg#5251161862867843170

Laughter is present each and every day. Time and space are given for thinking. And I am grateful for the kind-hearted, energetic spirits I'm working with. I thinking this teaching gig may be for me after all...

Blake's Blog Begins In Brussels, Belgium

there's something incredible about how fast time is going here. Some people say its just the beginning of a great roller coaster. Others that I'm suffering from culture shock and it won't always 'fly' by. And still some say that this place can be like a dream for years and years and I just need to get used to how fast the good and bad go screaching by like some surreal video I'm watching in fast forward.

Yesterday, I awoke to sun shining through the curtains. I met Megan Meyer for breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien, meaning The Daily Bread (one of the best bakeries in Belgium - http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/05/business/wbspot07.php). We walked through the sunny district of ULB (university area in Brussels). Then I found my way home, dressed for a run in shorts and t-shirt, found a great second hand shop 45 mins later, rode the tram for a bit, made a great chicken/pepper/basil dish with fresh caprese (YUMMY), and strolled downtown (with Meg again!) to watch Mamma Mia (what a hoot). It was a picture perfect day in Brussels.

In Motion,
Cause I have to be...