We went to Belgium and all I got was these lousy photo’s

No not true. It wasn’t all I got but my photo skillz apparently went out the window…
Anyway let’s take a look at my second country.

This American dude insisted to take our photo  but didn’t really get us in the shot. This one was ok . It’s been three years since I’ve been to Belgium. I used to live there for about 5 years.

Belgium is very much like this, grey, misty, crowded…

…. but if you take a closer look you can see that all is not what you thought it was. Much more colorful, crazy small details and talented people. You just have to look past the surface.

My mum was born in Belgian Congo and then moved back to Belgium when Kongo got independent. When she was 20 she met my dad in Mallorca and moved to Sweden. 16 years later she was back in Belgium, in a town called Gent.
But with my mum – Africa is never far away.

It was the first time my grandparents -Boma and Bompa met my son. DElla sure enjoyed meeting them as you can see. She also got lots of chocolate and smurfs. Maybe that helped a bit as well.

The kids also got presents from SinterKlaas. For you who do not now him he is like Pepsi to Santa.
He pretty much does the same job and he looks like Santa but dresses like the Pope.
Instead of putting up a sock at the chimney – you have to lay carotts in your shoes outside your door, toghether with a wishlist. He was sweet tough, cause apparently he comes around the 6th of december in belgium but he came extra early to my kids.

We also went to the zoo in Antwerp. I have two new favorite animals. Giraffe’s and Hippos. I always find visiting the zoo a weird thing – the awe of seeing these spectacular animals and somehow understand them better, feeling closer to them and yet feeling sick of thinking about them in such a closed environment.

Family is a monkey business.

This wonderful kitchen I found at a shoe sale- Belgium is surly full of surprises.

Did you know that Tintin, the Smurfs and loads of other cartoons comes from Belgium? To the right you can also see the work of Belgium artist Bu The Warrior. He has done a great coloring app for Ipad  -Hey Hey Colors among other stuff. Check it out here.

We had a midnight flight back home. Della got pain in her ears. Apparently you still do as 30 years ago – fill cups with hot towels then it releases the pressure in the ears. Great idea!
And my memories of flying to Belgium as a kid came back.

We had some great days. I fell harder in love with my kids yet again.
They where funny, sweet and well behaved. who would have thought ; -)
It amazing what a couple of days somewhere else can do for you mind and posture.
Now I only have to go into bad Chocolate detox.
Cause it’s true – Belgians sure loves their chocolate! And so do I!

xxx/isabelle