Spent a day just wandering about in the Gamla Stan (Old Town) shopping and enjoying a eautiful warm sunny day. Met up with Minna (the woman I met on the ferry going to Helsinki) for lunch and a walking visit. That was a nice treat. She has a new job in Stockholm and is quite happy with it.
The weather was gorgeous almost every minute I was in Stockholm.
I flew to Brussels, Belgium on May 30. Marijke met me at the airport. It was so great to see her after all these years and she hasn't changed in the slightest in all that time (it has been about 14 years since last we saw each other) and she was sweet enough to say the same about me. I love it when friends lie to me about this sort of thing.
We had a great time together in Brussels. I wanted to avoid museums, cathedrals and the like as I saw all that when there in 1985 or 86. Instead we took a long walk through parts of the city known for their Art Nouveaux architecture. Her husband Peter was, luckily, able to join us for the weekend (he lives and works in the Netherlands) and we enjoyed each others' company. He is a wonderful man of great intelligence and humour. So it was a great visit to Brussels and Marijke and I enjoyed being able to have a visit. It was a difficult parting and we hope to see each other again soon.
The weather in Brussels was extremely hot for the time of year... 28-32 C every day. I did not have hot weather clothes and had to shop for some with Marijke's help. Peter patiently waited for us outside the shops and enjoyed an ice-cream in our absence in one rather giant multi-level store. Ice-cream street vendors/windows are everywhere in the warmer months and the Belgians keep them in the money with frequent visits. We found a suitable skirt which is already a size too small. All the walking and touring has had its benefits.
Then onto the Eurostar (http://www.eurostar.com/) train, under the channel through the tunnel. Somewhat uneventful and, though interesting to know one is under all that water, also very ordinary. The train first heads downhill into the tunnel and continues the downhill sensation for most of the first half of the trip. It seems to level aff for a short while and then there is a very distinctive uphill climb to the exit. The areas around the entrances to the tunnel at each end look like the security barriers around a nuclear missile sight. More so even. No plantlife, flat stone and cement, several layers of razor wire fences standing at least 3 metres high and brightly lit. The train is quite comfy and luxurious though. The ride is fast, smooth and quiet though the hum in the tunnel is noticable louder.
Arrived in London on time and I immediately took the tube to St. Paul's Cathedral which I missed 2 years ago. Then I returned to Waterloo station, called Pooneh (a bit of difficulty getting in touch because her mobile was on the fritz but managed) and she came to meet me at the station. We got the tube to her place and after I was settled into her room we went out for a late curry supper.
Running out of time again. goodnight.
Posted by gailene at June 16, 2003 06:08 PM