Another adventrure of the two gringos in Belgium...
A lot of our "mishaps" happened within the first 24 hours of arrival. After checking into our "suite" we took a short nap to recharge our batteries and headed out to locate the Label Expo location. One great feature Brussels offers is an extensive public transport system. There is a Metro (aka subway) station within 5 minutes of our hotel and 5 minutes from the expo. We located our departure station and boarded the train hoping we were heading in the correct direction. We watched as we pulled into the first stop and confirmed we were in route towards a transfer station three stops away. When we arrived at Simonis (name of transfer station) we proceeded up the escalator to connect with the next train to the Expo. Upon reaching the top of the stairs we noticed a train approaching. Once it stopped everyone departed the train. So what do the two wise Americans think. "Great, an empty train heading out. I guess EVERYONE on there must have needed to get off here. Lets jump on and get going to the Expo. We've got this train thing figured out". Only problem was thre train proceeded out of the station and came to an abrust stop about 1/4 mile from the station. An anouncement comes over the speakers in french that we think says "end of the line, depart the train". Then the train operator walks by on a catwalk along side and waives at us making a circular gesture. We are starting to ponder our predicament. Should we try to get off and walk the plank or stay put...we aren't moving...this is going to be really embarrasing when we do pull back into the station as the only two on the train...how long are we going to be stuck in the "Penalty box". About two minutes later the train starts back towards the station, the doors open upon arrival and we depart. A few minutes later another train going in the same direction arrives, the passengers stay on, so we jump on as well and depart to our destination. Thankfully we are not the only people that have made this mistake. We watched two girls do the same exact thing yesturday. They realized their mistake almost immediately and their expressions showed it.
Next up "French to Gringo Translation" followed by "The case of the missing Transformer"
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Big sparks in Brussels
The adventures of the gringos continues...
We are in our new 12'x12' suite no more than ten minutes when we decide to try our new fancy power converter with our computers. First I check that it will work with my travel iron. Great, no problem, heats right up. Ok, let's plug the power strip in so we can plug both compturs in. But wait, it has three prongs, and the converter only has two. What are we to do. Easy, cut off the ground. We plug in our newly modified power strip, and Snap, Crackle, Pop. No more TV. That was odd. Maybe it was a weak circuit, maybe the power strip we plugged into didn't like the converter. We better try this again on a wall socket. This time big spark, no lights. Needless to say, we called the front desk. A few minutes later the "bag boy" is at our door checking out the TV. We think our repairman is also the maid. In this case the motto "if at first you don't succeed, try again" probably wasn't the right approach to take.
More to come...stay tuned for "The penalty box", "french to gringo translations", and" the unisex restroom"
We are in our new 12'x12' suite no more than ten minutes when we decide to try our new fancy power converter with our computers. First I check that it will work with my travel iron. Great, no problem, heats right up. Ok, let's plug the power strip in so we can plug both compturs in. But wait, it has three prongs, and the converter only has two. What are we to do. Easy, cut off the ground. We plug in our newly modified power strip, and Snap, Crackle, Pop. No more TV. That was odd. Maybe it was a weak circuit, maybe the power strip we plugged into didn't like the converter. We better try this again on a wall socket. This time big spark, no lights. Needless to say, we called the front desk. A few minutes later the "bag boy" is at our door checking out the TV. We think our repairman is also the maid. In this case the motto "if at first you don't succeed, try again" probably wasn't the right approach to take.
More to come...stay tuned for "The penalty box", "french to gringo translations", and" the unisex restroom"
Sunday, September 20, 2009
World Travels
It has been a long time since I've been able to get on here. I'm in Brussels, Belgium for Label Expo Europe for work. Over the next week I will share some of mine and Simon's adventures while travelling.
My journey across the Atlantic started Friday, 9/18 at 5:35pm in Redding, CA where I flew in a "puddle jumper" to San Fransisco. From there to San Diego arriving at 9pm. Instead of gettting a hotel I rented a car and headed to the final night of training for this years Chief Selectees. I spent the night motivating and training the Navy's future chiefs. I was able to get a good solid 18 to 19 minutes of sleep in the car before heading back to the airport at 5:30am.
Off to Belgium I go...via Dulles International Airport. I arrived in IAD (Dulles) at 4pm and had a 5:56p departure for Brussels. Simon was due to arrive at 5:05, but was delayed until 5:25...not a lot of time to catch an international departure. I scouted the airport, timed the transit from Simon's arrival gate to our departure gate and awaited his arrival. Simon arrived just in time to make one quick "pit stop" and board our flight to Belgium.
We arrived at 7am local time in Brussels (10pm at home). We made our way through passport control, recovered our luggage and located our reserved Taxi. While in line for passport control we learned that Sunday, 9/20 was the only day of the year Brussels shuts down all the streets of the city to cars (except taxi and bus). Good thing we didn't rent a car. Our taxi delivered us to our hotel and we checked in to our room. Thankfully we have two beds...twin...we were able to push about 3-1/2" apart. Simon's a nice guy and all, but I don't feel like snuggling with him.
Keep posted for "Two Gringos go to Belgium"
My journey across the Atlantic started Friday, 9/18 at 5:35pm in Redding, CA where I flew in a "puddle jumper" to San Fransisco. From there to San Diego arriving at 9pm. Instead of gettting a hotel I rented a car and headed to the final night of training for this years Chief Selectees. I spent the night motivating and training the Navy's future chiefs. I was able to get a good solid 18 to 19 minutes of sleep in the car before heading back to the airport at 5:30am.
Off to Belgium I go...via Dulles International Airport. I arrived in IAD (Dulles) at 4pm and had a 5:56p departure for Brussels. Simon was due to arrive at 5:05, but was delayed until 5:25...not a lot of time to catch an international departure. I scouted the airport, timed the transit from Simon's arrival gate to our departure gate and awaited his arrival. Simon arrived just in time to make one quick "pit stop" and board our flight to Belgium.
We arrived at 7am local time in Brussels (10pm at home). We made our way through passport control, recovered our luggage and located our reserved Taxi. While in line for passport control we learned that Sunday, 9/20 was the only day of the year Brussels shuts down all the streets of the city to cars (except taxi and bus). Good thing we didn't rent a car. Our taxi delivered us to our hotel and we checked in to our room. Thankfully we have two beds...twin...we were able to push about 3-1/2" apart. Simon's a nice guy and all, but I don't feel like snuggling with him.
Keep posted for "Two Gringos go to Belgium"
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