Leuven

Almaz and I took a day trip yesterday to Leuven, a small town founded in the 9th century. A short 25 minute train ride from Brussels and so quiet and picturesque... And full of nunneries. It is also home to the oldest Catholic University in the world that is still in existence, which was founded in 1425. We strolled through/past the beautiful gothic city hall, the botanical gardens and the Beguinage as well the Old Market.

It was a relaxing day with Mussels (finally!), chocolate, lattes and beer (the Kaiser blonde and la chouffe) - a lovely day.

Fascinating sculptures were frequent

The gothic City Hall

Botanical gardens

Beautiful hydrangeas

La Chouffe

Huge North Sea Mussels

Fries!

Mussel fork

This last photo is from my dining room view in Brussels - home sweet home

Men in the Kitchen

I spent most of Sunday in bed watching Black Mirror, my new favorite show and catching up on lost sleep from nights in the hostel. On Sunday night, Almaz hosted Chef Matheus and Sous Chef Pablo in her kitchen. They whipped up a delicious, fresh Italian meal of artichokes, rice and a summer salad. Then we finished the night off with singing and dancing per usual.

Needless to say, I was a bit tired when I got home on Monday so I was overjoyed when Matheus opted to stay in and show me how to properly cook pasta and we watched NCIS till the wee hours.

Last night, I put the pasta skills to work and Almaz came over for a girls night of wine and gossip.

I love my friends.

Makeshift Salad Spinning

Leiden and Amsterdam

I spent last week with the lovely Giulia in the Netherlands for a training on international advocacy in Leiden, which is the sweetest little college town. The training was interesting with such a diverse crowd of interesting and passionate activists. One of my favorite parts was a "field trip" the Special Tribunal of Lebanon and hearing about the impending trial. Giulia and I spent a lot of time wandering the town for coffee and hot chocolate and beers.

Yeats on the wall

On Thursday night, we headed to Amsterdam and stayed at the Hans Brinker Hostel. For the most part it was pleasant, with a large cafeteria/bar area and courtyard and free wifi. There was a great cafe, Stach, just around the corner and The Dolphins just down the block! On Thursday night, Giulia and I had drink with our new friend Anna at Cafe de Pijp until the wee hours (we crashed her blind date). Giulia and I were walking back saying that the young people in our room would most certainly be partying until 5am and come in and wake us up. But when we got home at around 2am, they were all fast asleep and I felt young again lol :)

Oh the hostel life

On Friday, we hit up a demonstration for the rights of indigenous peoples, facilitated by Survival (for the Tribal Peoples) and attended by reps from Amnesty International and UNPO, etc. It was amazing to see different cultural practices from around the world, including dancing, praying and singing, from, for instance, West Papua.

After that, we hung out with our UNPO friends, Rehma and Adar, for a bit before meeting Elisa at Hannekes Boom for drinks and nachos. I was so happy to see her again! And that place was absolutely amazing - right on the river and full of hipsters = lovelovelove

On Saturday, Giulia and I wandered around for a bit and then took the train home. I was greeted by Almaz and Matheus. We had figs and watched The Boat that Rocked. A very good evening with very good people.

In Antwerp for a minute for a connection - beautiful rail station

Party Weekend

Post-Tuesday, I decided to relax (aka go to sleep at an appropriate hour, drink more water than other beverages, and eat spinach.) But by Friday, that was a bit old. Cue Matheus, the most amazing social calendar/planner ever.

Friday: We headed over to our friend Pelayo's with Pablo and Almaz and a ton of other people for wine and crisps before heading to this, uh, interesting dance spot. We ended up doing karaoke to the wee hours and I got home approximately 4am. 

Saturday: I slept in and watched documentaries until Matheus, Almaz and Pablo came home and we did sushi delivery (they need to bring this to LA) and watched Horrible Bosses. Matheus and I also had a spirited discussion about gender relations but I won't go into it :)

Sunday: We woke up at then normal 1pm and then headed to the Parvis for a Moroccan/Italian brunch with Pablo. We then headed over to Matheus' great-aunt's house, who I utterly adore and discussed mythology, Italian and American politics and the joys of cognac. Pablo, Matheus and I met up with Almaz back in the parvis for a drink before heading to Pelayo's for a lovely fish dinner (3 courses!) prepared by Chef Andrea with help from everyone. We had fried something or other with homemade mayonnaise, octopus salad, and then some delicious, huge white fish in the courtyard with veg, melon and bread. It was so lovely and relaxing and sweet. I am so grateful to have met everyone. They are so warm and funny and interesting. I feel as though I've been in Brussels for longer than three weeks because I feel as if I've known everyone for ages.

This week, however, I am off to The Hague and Amsterdam. The blog will be a bit quiet but have a lovely week!

xx