| This is one man's story about his return to the motherland. Europe ... Ghent, Blegium to be specific. Grab a beer and join me. I'm slowly editing this down more, but who cares. Enjoy.
Day 0, Its Sunday, I've been up for 32 hours trying to fight the -6 hour shift, and sync up to daylight.
We arrive in Ghent during what would become a record heat wave (the worst in 50 years), and the city is not fond of air conditioning. It's hot and humid. Jon was dying. Call me a freak but I felt right at home immediately, it was like being right next to the river back at home on a hazy day. Incidentally, as I'm editing this, it's probably warmer in my room than it was in the hotel.
Day 1, Monday afternoon, it is my first full day in Ghent after traveling.
The reality of working on the 2nd floor of an un-conditioned building quickly set in. It was definitely a challenge, but one that made leaving all the more enjoyable: For lunch, for a walk, or for the 1st floor ... to talk to the hot Belgian receptionist (who spoke amazing English). She quickly became the highlight of my days at the office, and the perfect person to ask the myriad of questions I had about Belgian life.
After dinner I got myself brave and tipsy from beers I procured at the Nacht Winkle (night shop) and biked into Ghent Fest for what I thought would be a quick trip. What seemed like 20km and several more Duvels (beer) and a few Leffe Blonds (my favourite beer) later I was pretty lost aaannnnd a lil' drunk ... I discovered how nice _everyone_ is in Ghent ... or just sympathetic. I learned how to get directions without using words pretty good, too. I need to work on my Dutch, though in a few days I would get the layout of the city which made getting directions less of a necessity. That first night I made it back to my room at 3:30am after a lot of pedaling ... it was great though.
I need to go back to the record store near my hotel and get a ticket for 10days off because I totally spaced out when I was there earlier. I was too busy oinking all the dance vinyl I could get my paws on ... yeah ... spending 100+ Euro was never so easy. The one big bummer: I can't listen to it until I get home ... Well, at least I've got something to look forward to when I go!
Day 2, Tuesday ... I am having the time of my life here ... the girls ... the beer!!!!!
Its 3:15am local time (am) and I'm eating a sandwich I just got while lost again on my bicycle ... mind you, last night was my first time on a bike in almost 7 years ... I'm getting used to using it in the city though ... everyone is super nice, even on the roads. It all almost makes me forget I need to take a shower and go to bed so I can get up in 3.5 hours for work.
It is super hot here, everyone says it's a record; I looked at the weather in the US ... heat wave. Score one for global warming. I've come to the conclusion that less clothing on everyone is just better, especially the girls. And oh my god, the girls. I'd say it's something in the water, but who the hell knows. It's probably that they're not stuffing their faces full of huge portions of fatty American food. I honestly don't care; Whatever it is we need to start doing it in the US because we are totally missing out.
I'm all sweaty, and so is everyone else ... I love it!
The airline lost my luggage and so I didn't have it until this afternoon... I had made my peace with the fact that I'd never see anything inside it again. And now, everything is fine. It really made me get some perspective and I'm just having a blast (can you tell?).
Tonight I helped a drunken Dutch student off the street on my way home. He was slap-stick hilariously funny drunk. I bummed a cig off him ... I wish I hadn't smoked it. But I did, and it was good ... I think my biggest mistake in navigation is asking wasted kids for directions. Time to knuckle down and learn this city.
Back to drunky ... I had to pull him out of the street a few times, and at one point he fell down and sat in the middle of an intersection and I saved his ass ... he spoke barely a word of English but what he did speak was Queen's English ... he seemed to know a few swears though and was eager to practice with me:
"Piss off!!!' "Fucking cunt!!!" .... "How rude mate!!"
I cannot make this shit up. I taught him a few things I'm sure he won't remember until he's good and plastered back in his home country. Score one for America.
Day 3, Wednesday ... We explored some of the packed bars near Ghentfest ...
... I sampled a local favourite drink called Geneva ... I later discovered it had its roots in Gin (both are flavoured with juniper berries) and quickly steered myself, with the aid of my coworkers, to some Trappist beers.
Apparently only a very few beers can call themselves Trappist beers, pioneered by the Trappist Monks of the area. Specific ingredients and a precise brewing process allow you to call something a Trappist beer. The Orval I had was very meaty and flavorful. You want to avoid pouring the bottle completely empty or you'll get some yeast; reminds me of drinking some friend's home brews.
I'm told drinking a bit of this is good for you, but I'd rather not push myself to the toilet any faster than necessary. Incidentally, I was expecting to go into gastro-intestinal shock when I arrived here, but I seem have been pre-acclimated ... must be the beer, and my European genetics. JA!
Day 4, Thursday... I was out till 6:30am or so with the "cool kids" from work hanging out on a boat, and exploring the fest.
I haven't gone to bed before 4 am yet... and I've been averaging 4 hours of sleep at night, then 2-3 in the afternoon before I go back out.
I am a machine, and I will not sit idly by in this place!
Everything is an adventure. I have to be constantly watching things and learning to see how they are done: From walking on the sidewalk, to riding my bike, to tipping (or not), to ... anything. Few things are routine or second nature and what is I relish in the coolness of ... because I actually know what's going on; barely. My pathetic attempts at Dutch are met with smiles and laughs most of the time, but sometimes I fool someone just enough so they speak a slew of Dutch at me, and I have to blow my cover and ask for them to repeat in English.
It is humbling ... The challenge is enormously refreshing and enjoyable, everyone here in the city is super nice and the culture here is ... a world away. I am loving it. I knew I was going to have a good time, but I think I'm falling in love with this place. Speaking of love. The women. My GOD man. Anyway.
Day 5, Friday... A national holiday!
Its 2:10pm and things have cooled off a bit ... its nice. I basically just woke up; it was good to get a full 8 hours in one chunk. I am seriously having the time of my life!!
At midnight rode to 10 Days Off, an electronic music fest held in one of the city's older (but fully kept) buildings, a cultural center. They have operas, plays, ball room dancing ... but for 10 days during the fest, its rave time.
From the moment I arrived in my sleeveless U.S. AIR FORCE shirt, I knew this is what I had been waiting for. Four rooms of different DJs, some small, some huge. All banging with great music I had to consume. I met up with a co-worker who knew one of the groups playing from 4-6am, and we wandered around soaking it all in.
There were some awesome DJs there, but the first thing that really stuck out was 2020 Sound System. A live band (keyboard, synths, drummer and bass guitar) playing house & dance music. They were awesome, and the bassist was fucking laying that shit down with sauce. Once they came on I could not help myself, it was a privilege to witness the funk!
Around 3am we ducked out of the party and crossed the street for some Durum, a kind of pita bread construction with chicken or lamb, I got a small. So, think of a huge sandwich filled with tasty lamb, lettuce, tomato, and your choice of sauce (I got samurai ... spicy!). The perfect fuel to keep you going into the wee hours, burp!
We returned, and eventually we settled in at the top floor, it was easily over 100 degrees, zero ventilation, and PACKED full of kids dancing. My friend told me that this room is a ballroom, and the floors were wooden and clearly spring loaded, it was glorious. Screw the concrete garbage I'm used to at raves in the states, or in my basement; this was the real deal. Right then and there I knew I was going to put down some moves and represent my nation that night.
Digitalism was up; a young looking group, working their synths, laptops, and the crowd to the edge of frantic with their beat machines. I was really starting to get keyed up.
My friend knew the next group, The Subs since they were in school and we had been talking with one of the crew for a bit. I'm definitely going to be getting a CD from him.
By then I was saturated in sweat. It had gotten into my eyes countless times, and it no longer burned anymore I was so used to it. I had long since stopped drinking beer and had a bottle of water in each chest pocket of my sleeveless wonder at all times. It was a pure matter of survival.
4am, The Subs came on.
And this, my friend, is where I really started to freak the fuck out.
I danced. I danced until I was one with the crowd, the room, the bass, the anthem, the whole building. And then, I danced more. I started two stepping, and went into an aerobic trance that lasted until 6:15am. The lights came on, security herded us out, and it was done. And so was I.
I rode my bike back to the hotel, stopping at the 24/7 sandwich shop that has become part of my daily morning routine before I go to bed.
I slept well.
Day 6, Saturday. I snoozed in until 3pm and woke up with a smile. I love this place.
Jon and I hung out at the hotel after grabbing dinner. I was still a bit tired from the previous night. We made friends with the woman at the front desk, and began talking with her about our experiences in the city.
Soon 10pm rolled around and her boyfriend stopped by and joined us for a drink, and we all were talking until 11 or so when the front desk closed. They invited us back to their gorgeous flat, just a block down the road, and we happily accepted.
I continued my diet of Leffe Blonds and Jonny boy was happily swilling down the Duvels ... until the Aquavit came out. I knew better, and after a few warnings, watched Jon take a trip down to the equator and back, mirroring the journey that the liquor gets its name from. I don't think he remembers much after that point. The true sign of a good time, eh?
It was cool to hear about their life in Ghent and see what living in the city is really like. Hopefully we can return the favour when they come to the states!
Day 7, Sunday. Everything is closed, and just as well.
My boss jokingly asked if I was going to transfer to Ghent, and I said I was thinking of just not coming back ... then he said there is a chance I could end up getting a summer-internship/transfer and spend 3-4 months here working at this office. I don't how realistic it is, but even typing it is pulling at my heart ... there is no question, if I can, I will.
Overall I have been riding my bicycle around with good success despite the Trappist beers, and my pedaling skills are back up to par from when I was a lad. I haven't gone to bed too drunk (which is good when you get up 4 hours later) because I have to do a small work out to get home.
Day 8, Monday. Back to work. This is my last night here in the city of Ghent.
After work I furiously tore away from the hotel into town, to get to Music Man, one of the most renowned record shops in Europe supposedly. And I quickly discover why. Another 100 Euro later I'm the last person in the store talking to the guy behind the counter. I can't wait to return and continue my browsing!
Day 9, Tuesday night. All good things ...
I'm sitting here in my hotel room in Brussels already missing everything. I don't know if this was the best thing to happen to me or going to be the most depressing once I'm back.
It'll be good to be home, but I think this is the first time I've ever traveled and not wanted to go back. I've been to a lot of cities and had a great time, but I always felt like something was being drained from me every day I spent away. As if it wasn't sustainable, and I would eventually need to flee lest I become a husk of my former self.
Ghent was the opposite, I felt like no matter how late I stayed up and how early I rose, I was ready for another day. And each was even better than the last.
It will be good to sleep in my own bed, see my friends, play on my turntables and tell everyone how much I am in love with this place. I just wish all that was all here in Belgium instead of across the ocean. I cannot wait to come back in October and continue where I left off! | 
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