First of all, I will admit that directly in front of my keyboard is a collection of essays about Shakespeare adaptations. It is open to an essay written by my seminar lecturer, and I stopped reading half-way through because I decided I would rather write a post. Best idea? Who cares, this is much more fun. I just read Sebastian’s great entry and started laughing, because I just got back from a trip to Brussels myself!

Brussels….what shall I say about you? The city itself was not terribly interesting to me. I liked the EU parliament building, and really, the best parts of the trip were hanging out with my friends and relaxing. My goals for the trip (sponsored by my travel program) were thus: eat chocolate, waffles, fries, drink a beer (I really don’t like beer in the least), and sleep. Mazel tov to me, I did it all! We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was the nicest hotel I’ve ever been to, and had the comfiest beds I could imagine- way way better than the beds in my flat. I whole-heartedly concur with Sebastian- there is nothing better than Belgian chocolate. I have a bag full of truffles, pralines (chocolate eggs filled with different chocolates/flavors) and a bar of mint-leaf infused dark chocolate calling to me from my bed. I must have spent about 20 euro on chocolate. Obscene and absurd, yes, but completely and totally worth it. I also had some sort of religious experience with my waffle on Sunday; it’s hard to describe the sheer joy I felt when eating it. A fresh, toasty waffle, topped with 2 huge scoops of homemade Belgian chocolate ice cream, covered with caramel sauce. I only had eyes for that waffle. It’s almost like food porn with all the sweets. Loved it!

We went on a day trip to Antwerp and wandered around the fashionable city people watching and shopping. However, the best part occurred at once, and was two-fold. Outside of the cathedral, there is a square with lots of little restaurants and benches. We went to the chip shop (french fries) to get a cone of chips with curry ketchup (you cannot go back to regular ketchup after that). When we were in line, I heard a familiar voice, and saw the three trip leaders from our program. Here my friends and I are, in Antwerp on a day trip from Brussels, in one little chip shop in a particular square at a random time, and there are people we know. I suppose it seems silly, but I really love small-world coincidence things like that.

It’s so bizarre that things are happening so quickly. Time flies when you’re having fun- I really hate that phrase, but it’s so very true. In three weeks, most of my friends are packing up and heading out on month-long holiday excursions around Europe. I’m staying here to write my 4 essays for two weeks, and then heading out to join various groups of friends. It’s just so strange how close you get to people when you are all thrown into a new situation together. I’m going to miss them all very much when I’m the only one moping about the library, writing essays on Elizabeth I and experimental theatre. However, we still have a lot of time as it is to hang out and have fun. We’re going to a pretty famous club, Fabric, next week for this insanely crazy sounding party that involves everything from face painting to dancing, drink specials and moonwalks to a human petting zoo (do not ask me what that is, I don’t even want to know). This week is also my school’s most famous party they throw at the union club, the Truffle Shuffle. Everyone wears 80s clothing, dances to 80s jams, and gets drinks at 80s prices! Major points to anyone who can identify what Truffle Shuffle is in reference to- I’ll even give you a shout-out in my next entry! I’ll be sure to tell you all how that goes.

As for right now, I should be getting back to my Shakespeare, or maybe go to the gym and work off all of that chocolate. Or, I can eat another praline and research airline tickets. Let’s hope I make the right choice! On a final note, please keep checking back to see if I have added pictures- technology hates me too.