My travel plans for Belgium

Alain Saffel — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:18:52 +0000

December was one of those months I would like to forget, aside from a few days. It was a difficult month, but I’m happy that January is turning out differently.

I am feeling much better than last month. I often get cabin fever, SAD or whatever at this time of year, but I’ve felt great. Aside from the occasional headache, cough or sniffle trying to take hold of me, I’ve felt really good. With all the microbes on the prowl at this time of year, that could easily change. *knock on wood*

I am feeling productive and on top of my work too, which is always a good thing. I’ve got enough to keep me busy and work on some side SEO projects. I could always use more, and I’m sure that I’ll eventually add more to the mix.

Travel plans

I’ve been able to get in contact on Facebook with some of my family from Belgium, and that has been really nice. To go from never having talked to them to being in contact is great. I’m hoping to brush up on my French before I make a trip to Belgium later this year.

I’m thinking I would like to travel this summer, so I’ve been doing some budgeting. I am also planning on contacting a travel agent to get some advice on airports, deals, etc.

On that note, my wife pointed out a new Air Canada Escape Pass promotion. I haven’t called them because the deal timeline falls outside of my travel window. It looks like a good deal, but I’m worried about the fine print. It doesn’t mention whether fuel surcharges and ALL taxes are included. That pretty much doubles flight prices, so if that’s not included, it’s not such a hot deal, in my opinion. What do you think?

Contacting family – any thoughts?

Here’s where I wouldn’t mind some advice. I haven’t been in contact with my father or any relatives on that side of the family. I believe I may have located at least one of my two half-sisters.

How would you suggest getting in touch with my family? Have you got any experience in this kind of thing?

I’ve refrained from sending out a random message in Facebook, particularly if I am not sure who they are and especially if they don’t know about me at all.

On another note, most of my travel will likely be in Belgium, though I was thinking of going to Paris and Amsterdam for a few days. What would you suggest for places to go in Belgium, Amsterdam and Paris?

This year I’m going to Belgium

Alain Saffel — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:43:56 +0000

Some days I feel like a mole, with my work surrounding me like the earth. Day after day of nosing through it, sometimes you just can’t see where you’re going, not necessarily in work, but in life. I come up for air occasionally and have a look around.

Those days when I poke my head out to look around I see what’s really happening. I had one of those days recently. The past weeks I’ve been nose to the grindstone on work, family life and various crises that pass my way.

That day I realized I’m turning 40 this year. I really don’t have much to complain about: nice house, nice family, great work, lots of food in the cupboard. Good god! I’m turning 40!?

I’m not about to run out and buy a sports car and have a mid-life crisis, though that sounds like a heck of a lot of fun. Not sure my wife would like me filling the passenger seat with the fling of the week either, though that sounds like fun and a bit dangerous too.

What I realized is that there are some things that I’ve let slide that are important to me. Travel is one of them. When it comes to North America, I’m reasonably well-travelled, but I have never been off the continent. I dream about it. I talk about it. But, I haven’t done anything about it.

Travelling to Belgium

For me, travel has another side to it. It’s one that a few people close to me know about, but I don’t talk about a lot. The first place I will travel to this year will be to Belgium. My plan is to visit family there.

So what? Well, both of my parents are from there. The interesting part is my biological father is still there. I have no idea whether he’s alive or dead at this point as I’ve never met or communicated with him. From information I’ve received, I also have two half-sisters there.

As much as travelling to Belgium is for pleasure, it is to take care of a longstanding need of mine and that is to meet the rest of my family.

It bothers me at times that nobody has contacted me. I sent a letter once nearly six years ago, but received no response. I place no blame. I’ve waited nearly 40 years after all.

Unfortunately I’ve let life get in the way of something that is important for me to do. I don’t know whether it’s been intentional or subconscious, but now I have to do something about it. I am nervous about it. Nobody wants to be rejected, but I also don’t want to go to my grave without my family there knowing about me and without me having at least made some attempt at contacting them. If I could form some sort of relationship, that would be great, but I’m not expecting it.

So I have to begin the research again and try to make some contacts prior to going. I’m not sure when it will be, but I’m hoping for late spring/early summer.

It’s not going to be cheap either, I’m sure. I am planning on going through all of my belongings and selling off what I don’t need so I can finance this trip. Seems like a good way to accomplish a life goal and clean out the closets as well.

Mannekin Pis

There is a story behind the picture, so you don’t think the sculpture celebrates the fact that Belgians feel free to relieve themselves wherever they see fit.

The famous Belgian statue has a few different stories attached to it, but the one I heard is that a small boy went missing in Belgium (not sure for how long) and when he was found, he was naked and taking a pee.

Wikipedia has a few variations on the Mannekin Pis story and they’re all interesting.

Comments:

1. Adam Snider Says: January 6th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Belgium should be fun. Sara and I would both like to go someday—her for the history (the medieval stuff in Bruges, in particular), and I for the beer. Be sure to take lots of pictures and blog about the best parts of the trip.

As for meeting and visiting family, I hope that all goes well. It sounds like the type of situation that could really go either way, so I hope it goes well.

2. Alain Saffel Says: January 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Belgium is a great country. Loads of interesting stuff to do that I haven’t done yet! :) I’ll definitely be blogging it and taking photos. I might just get stalled taking photos and blogging! :)