2009 Winter Holiday 2 : Belgium --- Brussel - Leuven - Berlaar

After the long journey for this Wizzair flight, I am finally on the land of Belgium. It's a chilly morning. We bought the tickets for the shuttle bus from the Brussel Charleroi Airport-Brussel Nord, 13Euro single-way/return 22Euro (valid for 3 months, I think). It took about an hour. In Brussel Nord, we bought a GoPass, 46Euro (for youths under 26 years old, and valid for a year). Time-table for the rails can be checked online through http://www.b-rail.be/

Berlaar --- a small town

As previous post had mentioned, I am fortunate to have found hosts in all the cities that I am visiting. The first host is a family of 5, in Berlaar, Antwerp. We have to catch train to Leuven and switch to Berlaar. I was rather excited, or should I say rather nervous. But not as worried, because this family had hosted 2 friends of mine before this, at least I know it is safe. But it's my first time staying in stranger's house, so still I am...

When we just reached the station, a Belgian guy approached and introduced himself. I was initially stunned. But soon, I am back to myself, recalled of his picture that I have seen online. We went to his house. They are a very sweet family. At the same time, there are other 2 surfers like us, a Canadian single mother and her 7-month-old baby girl, Jasmine.

The Welcome note

We were very delighted to see the printed copy of Malaysian flag and our names on it, stating "Selamat Datang Jacklyn Goh and Oi Ling". That was so sweet. It was rather good weather. After resting for a moment, we took a small walk to the centre of Berlaar.

The sky is getting cloudier then. And that was when my newly bought umbrella came in handy, hehe. Belgium has not been snowing for 12 years of winter. But rain is just a very common visitor, even during the summer. We took a long walk down the street. Found GB Carrefour, LiDl, and a few more supermarkets. Berlaar itself is a small town, people there are generally friendly.

Belgium rainy weather

Saint Peter's Church in Berlaar
We then head back and had a nice Belgian dinner with the family. Belgian fries with different sauces (I think I like Cocktail :P), salad, carrot. The 3 kids are amazing. Though we don't understand each other language-wise, we played. Yeah, they speak Flemish. The kids showed me pictures, we danced and played. They are so cute!!!

After the kids were sent off to bed, the parents introduced us to their traditional game --- Sjoelbak. It was an interesting game. I am very happy for having the opportunity to play that, hehe. And I think I scored fairly well :P.

Sjoelbak board game
The next day we headed to Brussels for a daytrip (next post). And then we have to rush back to Berlaar, because we have to cook a dinner for the family with the Canadian mum. We missed the train by just several minutes, and darn! We were late for like 30-40minute from the original plan! Fortunate enough, the eldest son had a game at school, otherwise these early-bed kids would have to be hungry for a while.

We had prepared a vegetarian meat, some Chinese flour frying pieces, rice. Canadian baked some oat cake. It was a nice meal. And that was the first time I was exposed to using the dishwasher.

The stay there was sweet and nice. Experiencing the Belgian life with Belgian family was a whole new something for me.