BXL 15-17 July 05

I am in Brussels, Belgium! A very last minute decision to visit Christel, a girl I used to work with in Philips, Dublin Ireland. Last time I saw her she was 6 months pregnant and the little lady she carried is now 18 months old! her name is Lea and she is quite something. Bouncy, smily,dancy & waving at strangers, she makes many people smile in the heart of BXL.
Lea's movie looks 

I didnt realize how easy it is to visit with the Eurostar train from London so I took Friday off and arrived here in the afternoon, it is only about 2,5 hours. I seem to have passed my push-Lea-in-the-buggy-license without too much trouble. This month the Belgians are celebrating their 175 year old independence from their evil Northern neighbours, the Dutch! The city looks great; the weather is very nice, perhaps a bit too warm and humid.


Grand Place 

The terraces are filled with people, and it has a laid back atmosphere. I am trying to remember where things are, as I did live near Brussels for 3 months back in 2001. I think I have a bad memory.....

Christel seems to be a great mum, and enjoying her little girl, and full of plans for the future as a mum, and as a free lance consultant. I am enjoying the different vibe, the strolling, the culture and language and hopefully tonight some Belgian beer!!


BXL 170705 

Peace

x

July 7th ponderings

On a day of being phoned my all members of my family, loads of friends.... and it is not my birthday I wonder what to make of it. I am glad I was on s many people's mind. And I am glad I don't work in London. London Underground Trains and English Pride a Red Double decker bus have been bombed during rush hour and it looks like a Middle East disaster zone. It has been in the back of everybody's mind for a while, but the surprise was still evident. Mean while at work it is hard to focuss, we are in a busy period, and I am running out of time to do my job...

The last week there was such a positive vibe about the UK. The Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, the Olympic bid confirmation for London in 2012, and the concert in Murray Field stadium Scotland the final Push for the G8 debt relief effort my Mr Bob Geldof and fellow partisans. And now....worrying about visiting London, or going on the tube? September 11th hasnt kept me away from NYC, and neither will this.

I had to distract myself from todays event and so I have played arund with the back ground of my blog. Never done it before, (the previous was a standard lay-out) so I hope you like it. It is a photo I took in Kauaii, Hawaii in Aug 2004. I will try and beautify it a bit.

Live 8 Impressions

To change the world,
Start with one step.
However small,
The first step is hardest of all.
(Dave Matthews Band - You might die trying)

I went to Hyde Park today. In London people who didnt go to the Concert could watch it on screens in another part of the park. I went there and was just speechless. It was amazing to be there. To not just watch it on TV, but to be present with masses. I was humbled to be there. Here are a few shots from the Screen Area;


Stereophonics @ Hyde Park 


Bob  


Some of the crowds in Hyde Park 


Brad Pitt @ Hyde Park 02 July 05