Je suis arrivee!

Je suis arrivee en Belgique! It was a long journey to say the least. I still can’t believe what little room one has on an airplane – even with my short legs! However, Lufthansa showed up Air NZ by bringing out the hot towels – lovely! It was a trip of contrasts: hours of sitting followed by kms of walking through the terminals to get to the next departure gate.

I had to go through customs and immigration checks at both HK and Frankfurt. I set off the beeper at Frankfurt and had to go through the humiliation of an overzealous German Security woman giving me a pat down. This included me having to take off my shoes which were searched separately while she patted my socked feet!!!! Really!!!! After 35 hours or so of travel by that stage, I was not amused.

It was a different story in Brussels. After the problems with my visa, the customs and immigration were closed and I was ushered through without even showing a passport.

Chantal et Guy-Michel were waiting for me with a huge sign with my name on it but I would have recognised them from their photos. No sign of AFS who I believed would also be meeting me.  They are really lovely and Chantal speaks excellent English which is a bonus.

We chatted on the hour's drive back to Liege - me in my broken French. I was surprised at how empty the motorway was but I suppose it was quite late at night - 11.30 or so. Chantal and Guy Michel's house is charming  and they are warm and welcoming.  I am really lucky.

After a tour of the house and a final chat, I was off to bed for some much needed sleep.