So it is kind of surreal leaving Jordan after four months, countless meetings, and staying at six different hotels total. We went out with friends last night to a wonderful true Lebanesse restaurant which was fantastic. As usual there were heaps of food that we couldn’t think about eating, but then again that’s what its all about when dinning in the Middle East. I think it is especially funny thinking about the fast that I really didn’t care for the Taboli, Hummus, and Kobe when arriving in Jordan. But now realize that in the future while outside of the Middle East I know that I will pay a premium at restaurants for the chance to bring back the fond memories that I have created here over the last four months. At dinner we were looking back that all that we had experienced and done, the friends that we had made, and the opportunities that had been seized not to mention that through it all we accomplished to complete the most successful project in Jordan in company history!
This morning flight came way too early as you can imagine, that was scheduled to leave at 10am. Of course our luggage was extremely overweight with all of the work stuff and sovereigns that we have collected. After throwing around business cards from the Governor of the Central Bank who will be in our program and also happens to be Chairman of the Board, as well as the CEO’s name of the airlines the attendant decided not to charge us the extra $300 it was to cost because of the overweight. Needless to say we were very happy with the outcome, and proved once again the power of what the company calls “the name drop”! Since the flight was 25 minutes late departing Brussels, we were extremely scared that we would not make out next connecting flight in Vienna Austria which was only to have a layover of 55 minutes. As we began our decent to land we were amazed to see snow, something that I hadn’t really thought about in the past 5 months in the Middle East. Besides the ever surprising snow slopes in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. But then again look at the word that was in that sentence Dubai, as place that I can say really there shouldn’t be anything that should surprise you that they can’t accomplish.
The first thing after be struck by the snow and the charming architecture of the buildings along the countryside was the beautiful people that filled the airport. I know I know, I have been in the Middle East for a while but wow they really are beautiful here. I was able to catch my original flight to Brussels, although I have little faith that my luggage will make the connection.
(two or so days later)
So I arrived at the airport in Brussels to obviously find a lack of luggage. But the company driver was there with his son and wife to pick us up and take us to Overpelt where the office and company houses are. It was interesting to hear from all points of view from the very beginning from a typical couple from Belgium and then the son who was is in university in Brussels about typical Belgium life. Driving along the highway to Eastern Belgium I was struck with all of the green grass, trees, and quant houses lining the streets and fields. It is now that I realize that life is different in Belgium in particularly Overpelt area where life is slow, calm and with a sense of peace.
When we arrive at the house in Overpelt it was already dark and we were greeted by several trainees that are about to leave to different parts of the world to start up their first projects in the next week or so. Amanda decided that we needed to hurry and make our way to the grocery store because it closed very early about 7pm and there aren’t many restaurants to chose from. It was about a twenty minute walk and I really got to understand how cold it is here around 9 degrees Celsius so I think its about 30 degrees farienheight for those US readers. The grocery store is actually in the town of Neerpelt which borders overplet where the house is. Neerpelt has one main street with a continuous line of European building interconnected about 4 stories high.
I was rather surprised at the grocery store it had everything one could possible think of from rabbit, boar, venison etc and I began to experience the Euro and the expensive prices. To give you an example I got a 6 pack of cokes that were 5 Euro so about $6.50 US and this is in a grocery store! After making our way through the quaint neighborhoods of Overpelt we cooked dinner and hung out at the house for a couple more hours. Vivian who’s from Spain made some Sangria with the Irish friends putting their own little touch in by adding a potato apparently its an Irish tradition but I don’t know. It was fun getting to know everyone and finding out where everyone was headed and learn a little more about the area where I will be leaving for the next week or two. Later that night we decided to go experience one of the Belgian pubs which quit honestly I didn’t have much expectations for considering how much of a sleepy town it seemed to be on our walk home. But it turned out to be packed with tons of young locals playing pool and foosball. Admittedly though we didn’t fair so well in the couple of games of pool we played against some Russians.
The next morning when we woke up most everyone decided that they wanted to just hang out around the house besides Amanda and I wanted to go explore but different areas. I thought that I was going to rent a car, because it takes forever to go to Germany by train because you have to go back into Brussels. But after exploring the town for about an hour I didn’t find any rental car agencies rather the train station. It ended up that Amanda and I were on the same train headed to Antwerpen (which is the city known around the world for all of the diamonds)!! The hour train ride was nice going through all of the little towns and seeing all of the greenery and farm life such as all of the miniature horses that are there. Once we arrived in the train station that reminded me of grand central in DC we made our way out into the heart of the city. There were people everywhere and dressed a lot warmer then I. There is a main street that runs straight out from the train station first lined with restaurants, then with tons of Jewelry and clothing stores. It was a lot of fun exploring the street seeing every designer in the world having a store there, seeing the huge diamonds and experiencing all of the chocolate shops. Which lead me to realize that art that is Belgium chocolates. I mean you hear all your life about how great it is, but it truly is amazing seeing how many different flavors, shapes and designs that they have made. In need of some Mexican food I broke down again to try some international Mexican food which was as usual not up to the standards that you will find in Texas by far. The chicken enchiladas were very interesting – more like burritos with guacamole, hot sauce and cheese. Although I think that my first sign that I was eating international Mexican food was when I asked the waitress for some chips and hot sauce and she replied with, “Whats hot sauce”?
After making our way back to the house we decided to make our way to the Netherlands a city called Eindhoven. Eindhoven was amazing, again there was a central streets with numerous pubs and clubs lining the streets with millions of people everywhere. The clubs were packed, with an extremely international crowd and some of the most fun I have ever been too. We ended up staying out till really late before we decided to make our way back home. It is interesting thinking about the small town and slow life that is here in Belgium particularly in the area where I am now living. The houses are beautiful, extremely small by US standards but very ornate in design with no two houses being anything alike. Each houses gardens and yards are as distinct as the overall design of the houses. They love to use shrubs no only in the place of fences but also for interesting designs throughout the middle of the yards which are all immaculately maintained. It has just recently turned cold here so the trees are all beginning to change colors in the backdrop with the homes winter wheat grass in full bloom of the distinct florescent green color. Taxis don’t exist in this town, everyone rides bikes to get around they even have bike lanes on all of the roads.
I will head to the corporate office tomorrow morning for the first time after being with the company for five months so it should be interesting, although the CEO and director are in Singapore for the week so I am not sure if I will even get to meet them. I guess that’s all for now, notice that I have updated the photos from the past couple of days. All my best!!!
Chad
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