Bruges + Brussels

So whenever I said I was going to Brussels, peeps be like "Have you seen In Bruges?" No, I still haven't BUT now I can say, I have seen Bruges. AND I reunited with Elisa, my old friend from London. (Saying "old" makes me feel ancient, but two years ago is far too long to go without seeing this girl.)

So first things first, Elisa and I met in our Foundations of Health Policy class at LSE. We were the only people under 72 in the class so we became fast friends. Now Elisa is living in Utrecht and I'm in LA and we havent seen one another in ages. So Elisa met me in Bruges and then came to Brussels for the evening and today.

So yesterday morning when I woke up to skype Evan, there was the fiercest, loudest thunderstorm ever and the idea of navigating a new city, even with Elisa, seemed a bit, well, awful. But the minute I got there and met her, we had sunshine, 75 degree weather with a slight cooling breeze. We had lunch in a gorgeous square, coffee in another gorgeous square, a nap near a canal, and dinner at yet another gorgeous square. The cobblestone streets, the afternoon glow, the slow, easy place of the residents and tourists, the brick and stonework, the pretty canals, and the trafficless streets were ridiculously relaxing. Also we tried the local beer, Brugse Zot, which is a refreshing golden ale that I actually enjoyed. I'm going to see if I can get it in the states.

Elisa and I managed to get home before a terrible storm and woke up this morning for a jaunt to the market and brunch at Potemkine, this lovely gallery, cinema, bar, cafe, restaurant place that I've been wanting to try. We had coffee, mint tea, grapefruit juice, pain au chocolat, smoked salmon bread, parma and fruit, chickpea salad, etc. Yum. Definitely going back.

It was amazing how easily Elisa and I fell back into our conversation and stories and similar sense of humor and wavelength. I'm so happy I got to see her and it can't be another two years before I see her - so I think she should plan a trip to LA asap :)

Almaz is coming over for tea so gots to go

xx

National Day in Brussels!

Alexandra and I arrived back in Brussels just in time for the National Day Celebration. National Day is, you guessed it, a National holiday celebrating the King. This was a particularly special National Day as the previous king, King Albert II, abdicated for his son Philippe. There was a festival, parade, marching bands, zip-lining, fireworks, waffles, wine, live music, etc. It was hectic and fun and there were soooooo many people. The energy was palpable and I learned a few new French songs. 

On Monday, Alexandra walked the entire city while I was at work and we met up with the crew for a Monday market with free-flowing wine and conversation. Alexandra left Tuesday and I was terribly homesick for a moment. So I bought beet juice, skyped my mom, who called Sophie a "pompous little brat," inhaled some pasta and read Rachel Maddow's book until I crashed.

I'm feeling a bit more chipper today and looking forward to Matheus' Italian dinner tonight and Elisa's arrival on Friday  :-)

A few photos:

Weekend in London

So on Thursday, after a hectic journey to get on Eurostar (wrong train station, ticket wouldn't print, passport couldn't be read, then a delay), I arrived in London at around 10pm and stayed with my friend Hannah near London Bridge. 

Hannah and I met three years ago. Our mothers went to school together in Wales. Anne, Hannah's mom, was appointed my mom's tour guide when she moved from Kenya. They lost touch for years, but when I hightailed it to the UK to do my M.Sc, my mom found Hannah's parents and Hannah just happened to be in LA the week before I moved to London. We met for lunch and became friends in our own right. Hannah lives in a glorious, bright white apartment with her lovely bf, Jimmy. 

He was my tour guide on Friday. We went to Borough market and sampled the delicious English cheeses from Neals Yard and bread from St. Johns. UM. THE CHEESE. NO WORDS. MUST TRY. 

We hit up the Tate Modern for the El-Salahi exhibit after having a drink at the rooftop bar. Afterwards, we strolled through Brick Lane before I met my cousin Aniela at the Southbank Center for an al fresco beer. It was amazing seeing her after this time. Despite the fact we live thousands of miles apart, we have the Cheema sense of humor. Hopefully, we'll get to spend more time together this summer. After that, I met Hannah at her Chambers and met all of her colleagues for the 250 year anniversary/recreation of Dr. Johnson meeting Boswell. This included corsets, pigeon pie made by Hannah, and pineapples (they were trendy back then.) 

Hannah and her pigeon pie the night before the recreation

Dr. Johnson and me

After a few gin punch glasses, we headed to Chinatown for some duck and such. Saturday was a recovery day. We picked up coffee, lavender honey lip balm, more cheese, checked out reclaimed wood for Hannah's apartment, and enjoyed bloody marys in the sunshine on Maltby. They have the most amazing market with food stands, antiques, crafts, drinks, full of people of all ages and interests. We also had delicious chicken peri peri sandwiches, freshly BBQed. All of this action after such a long night meant an extended afternoon nap. 

 

After, I met Alexandra for CocoRosie at Barbican. I never thought I'd see them live. They are two strange sisters living in Paris, making music with children's toys. The last time they had an American tour, members of their band were deported and they cancelled it.

The show was crazy amazing. It seemed more like a visual art installation than a concert. The sisters have chosen more techno influences for their latest venture, including an extremely talented beatboxer. The album is now on repeat. Alexandra and I enjoyed wine and burgers after and I fell into bed, only to take another hectic terrible train back to Brussels, just in time for Alexandra and I to meet Matheus and co for National Day in Brussels (a post for tomorrow.) London was amazing as always and I am so grateful to Hannah and Jimmy for such a lovely time. xx

Oh also I got to go to my mom's old chambers, 12 King's Bench Walk, where she did her pupilage. 

CocoRosie and Missing My LA Music Scene

Before I came to Brussels, I was going to a lot of shows, big and little, rock and R&B and folk and pop and everything in between. Although my time here has been AMAZING so far, I am having a few pangs for the Satellite and Bootleg and the Echo (and Staples and the Greek). But not to fear, I have Jay-Z's new album on repeat (omg Holy Grail - like I can't) and also have been stalking my friend Andrew Sheppard on SoundCloud. I love how earnest and genuine his music is and up-tempo with some notes of nostalgia; I need that at work. (Tunisian transitional justice is a heavy topic). Check him out:

Also, headed to London tonight to see Hannah and my cousin Aniela. Then I'm reunited with Alexandra and we're seeing CocoRosie on Saturday night. I can't believe I am actually seeing them. (Ff course, they just happen to have scheduled their first US tour in like forever for this fall, after I bought a ticket to see them in London). I'm kidnapping Alexandra and bringing her back to Brussels - wooooo! xx

Summer Evenings in Brussels

The sun doesn't set until 10pm in Brussels, which means I feel like I can stay up all night. Until I do. Then I feel like death. However, work has been less strenuous so whatevssss. On Sunday, we did wine in Almaz's beautiful garden and then grabbed pizza.

Monday, we met Matheus' friend and Almaz at a market in Saint Gilles by Hotel De Ville and had hot dogs and wine. After, we had an impromptu dance party at the apt (gotta love the Spice Girls).

Last night, we had drinks with Darren, another Yankee, before he heads back to Michigan at the Athenee Square near Stam, the bar from Saturday.

Today, after a very long brainstorming meeting, I am looking forward to hanging with Alex Budak, a fellow UCLA orientation counselor. GO BRUINS!

xx

First 36 Hours in Brussels

Hello my darlings -

My last day has been phenomenal.

I arrived yesterday morning to my new place and Matheus was home to greet me. We had breakfast of yogurt, kiwi and raspberry-chocolate muesli, and listened to the Beatles Abbey Road record. (Matheus and I have very similar taste in music).

Afterwards, we walked to the market in Saint-Gilles. It's amazing: fresh fruit and veg, cheese, dried goods, flowers, even clothes. It's open during the afternoons on the weekends and in the morning during the week. I have a feeling it will be my morning stop since I don't start work until 10 :-) We stopped for a coffee, which then turned into sampling the resident standard beer, Jupiter, and a shrimp and avo salad. We then visited Matheus' 87 year old aunt who is hilarious and friendly and offered us Campari and orange juice while very animatedly discussing international politics.

Later I took a nap (damn jetlag) and skyped Sophie and my mom. I met Matheus and his friends later at Stam Eat and Drink. Two musicians performed favorite hits, including the talking heads and abba. We had cheeseburgers and more beer before heading to a bar that was playing 80s and 90s music. We had a large group - maybe 10 - lots of Italians and French and Spanish and one other American. Such a fun and open group of people. We danced and sang and sat outside, enjoying the warm weather. And then we got home at 3:30 and I skyped Sophie again (I know - its an obsession.)

Matheus and I woke up a bit late and headed to the market for fresh apricots and plums, grabbed a coffee and then stopped by Momma Roma for lunch. Truffle pizza, pancetta and mushroom pizza, and prosciutto white pizza along with a cold coke. Yum.

I'm planning on doing some research for work. Matheus is going to visit his friend's baby and then we are then meeting up with his friends again.

I'm a bit nervous about my first day at work, but I think it will be fun. And then I am going to London Thursday night :-)

xoxo