Mesa, AZ - Traveling Through Brussels

No, we haven't made a detour nor a right turn. We're still here in Mesa, AZ but we've got some friends in Brussels and I've included some words from them about life there right now.

But first: our resort has a Patio Sale every fall and every spring. Our neighbor across the street loves to buy ‘treasures’ at yard sales that he brings over here to sell to others in his patio sale. He must have a pretty sharp eye if he can make money this way. Two years ago we added a few things to his yard sale like the lounge chair from our RV that we no longer needed. It was snapped right up and we had a very happy buyer. This year, I decided to sell my old iPad and an older camera in the Patio Sale but wanted to spotlight our items so set up 2 small tables in front of our RV, one for the camera and one for the iPad. I designed some signs, brought out a chair and there I was with my own Patio Sale - er - Sidewalk Sale.

Was I successful? Well, I sold the iPad to a woman who took money out of her husband’s wallet while he was in the bathroom putting his hearing aids in. Bought it for him she told me. Last time he’ll ever put his hearing aids in without his wallet padlocked and safely in his hip pocket. The camera - well, most of the people here already have a camera and/or are not as interested in taking pictures at their age. OR - they have an iPhone and take them that way. Well, I’ll try when we get back to Altoona, IA when we will be able to use Craig’s List more easily.

We got 1 free G of data from Verizon for Thanksgiving. We thought that pretty nice until we read that some other company is giving 3 free months of unlimited data. Oh, my. Let the data wars begin.

On another note. I usually don’t include world or national events in my blog but I’d like to wish Paris all the best. They’ve had a terrible blow, in fact, they’ve had several blows this year with the current carnage and the Charlie Hebdo carnage at the beginning of the year. Daesh (what ISIL hates to be called because both the terms ISIL and ISIS imply that they own and rule Syria and Iraq while Daesh implies that they are merely trampling something underfoot) is filled with evil cowardly killers. They will eventually be wiped out but it will take time. Meanwhile the Parisians are being strong and are not giving into fear.

We have some friends who live outside of Brussels, Belgium. We met them a few years ago when we were hiking in Arches NP in Utah. We had all signed up for a ranger led tour, called the ‘Fiery Furnace’ hike because of the colors of the rocks in the area. The hike involved several special clambering techniques which he taught us and that we used to get around boulders, through steep canyons, along narrow ledges and over crevasses. Pretty cool hike, designed for almost anyone with simple techniques that we all had a great time with.

Here are some pictures from that day. Looks like Gary is going to disappear into the rocks here.

And here he is balancing himself over a crevasse caused by two boulders which eons ago crashed together.

And the surefooted mountain goat easily masters another move.

Yep, another butt shot.

Our ranger hovered over us - in his own unique way - to ensure we all got through safely.

Here are Marlene and Danny: yep, Marlene is in front while Danny is looking to help another hiker behind him.

But, here’s a picture of them after the hike is mostly over while we’re all catching our breath.

However the reason that she came up - well, I’m sure you can guess - it’s that word ‘Brussels’ and the word ‘Belgium’ both of which are in the news a lot lately. As we all know, there are some terrorists in Belgium and the city is under lockdown for the foreseeable future and has been for the last few days. What do you say to someone who is living with all the fear that this implies? She travels through Brussels on 3 different trains to get to work every day. I had assumed that she might be working from home because of the lockdown but, no, she still goes into work.

Here is some of her e-mail back to me.

Yes, there is a strange atmosphere these days in our country.   Everybody is very vigilant/alert.

I was at work yesterday & today.    The Brussels schools remain closed also today and here in the building where I work I saw that “Estee Lauder” (French company)  on the floor below us put a couple of security guards at their entry.   The Brussels metro/subway does not run but since our offices moved to the Brussels airport area, I do not need to take the subway in the city center anymore.

I am travelling through the Brussels city center by train (partly underground) but have to get off in one of the Brussels stations to change train.   For my 3rd train from Brussels city center towards the airport, we were only 3 waiting on the platform!    Brussels has 3 train stations:  Brussels South, Central and North.    Normally these stations are very crowded but not yesterday nor today as most companies asked their employees to stay home and/or work from home.

On Wednesday schools and metro will open again although the danger is not gone.  The highest alarm phase (4) will be maintained till next Monday. As long as they did not catch the most important terrorist the danger will remain and even worse, probably never stop. 

I am not afraid, however, when taking the train in Brussels I try to find a seating place next to the exit (and/or where I can hide in a toilet if necessary). This morning, my 3rd train to the airport area was one to Amsterdam. All of a sudden there was a discussion in the compartment next doors and in less than seconds two security agents jumped from the platform on the train!  They are very alert!   This morning when coming to work, I saw 2 “revolvers” and 2 guns. In Belgium we are not used to this.  I remember, when visiting the US and looking for binoculars to buy for my son, we were shocked to see that this kind of stores also sell guns.

Obviously there is a lot of fear in Belgium these days. Stay strong and safe, guys. We’re thinking about you.