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Written by Jesso on 03 Dec, 2004
I arrived in Belgium sort of knowing one person through our email conversations. I had not been overseas by myself before and was to be away for 3 months. Anyhow, Alessandro, who I was staying and sailing with, lived in Brussels. Brussels was too…Read More
I arrived in Belgium sort of knowing one person through our email conversations. I had not been overseas by myself before and was to be away for 3 months.
Anyhow, Alessandro, who I was staying and sailing with, lived in Brussels. Brussels was too far away from the coast for me, and I was having withdrawals. I stayed for a grand total of 2 weeks, as some of the very kind people at the club offered for me to stay at their places for nothing for the duration of my trip. The only catch is that if they come to Australia, they want to stay at my house. Too easy.
Robby was the beachmaster at the club. He and his wife had been to the west coast of Australia 15 years ago, so they knew what country I was from and just how far away it is. The Royal Belgium Sailing Club in Duinbergen runs lots of sailing regattas and always welcomes volunteers. I became Robby's "crew" and was the first one asked to help him. He said I was worth two people in the rescue boats, which was fantastic for me. I have been offered work for next year if I am interested, which of course, I am.
Johan and Peter were always at the club, helping most people, especially me. Peter offered me accommodation, and Johan found me clothes and hot drinks the first weekend I arrived after we had sailed up the coast, landing at 10pm. I had the beginnings of hypothermia, couldn't speak the language, and was still suffering from jetlag. These guys were the best.
Julie was my social director. She showed me what the young females do instead of drinking beer with the boys-not that I don't enjoy that, but it was nice.
Bruno and Tripak were the terrible duo, so a night out with them meant getting up to no good and way too much beer. It was the best fun, though.
There were so many other people that made me feel welcome and became firm friends once I learnt to slow down when speaking. I found no problems with language, as everyone spoke English to some degree. Only when we were on the water was it sometimes difficult, but we overcame it.
I had heard from a few people that Belgium was not that exciting, but once I got away from Brussels, I loved the country and can't wait to go back. The coastal towns are fantastic.