I didn’t do too much exciting today, unless you want to count absolutely every thing I look at as an adventure. Which it kind of is.
My last thing in Belgium was to actually buy chocolate. So I did.
It’s been a thing here —– Consumption, vs. observation. I REALLY like chocolate, but I haven’t been eating it in the last year because it doesn’t do my body good. SO. What do you do in Belgium, when everyone says to eat the chocolate?
Well. I guess you eat some. I also realized (no, not really, I knew this), I am a BROWSER, and observer. I am not a big consumer. I don’t need anything. I don’t really even WANT anything. But still, had those vibes rise up — I wonder if it’s a scarcity mindset vs. those who have plenty. Get one extra so we’ll have enough … I wonder if that’s different here than in the US.
In any event, I had about an hour to go to Grote Market in the daytime minus luggage, so I went an did that. The two Chocolate shops on my list didn’t open until 10:30. Stopped at Günther Watté and bought a few bars. The shopkeeper was charm free … but no matter. I got some chocolate.
Then I went back to the apartment and plugged in my phone. Just as it was topping off and I was starting sherpa mode, the cleaning person arrived. Perfect timing. Meandered towards the train station. I knew they run every hour, so just took my time. Again at the station, I was asked by a someone desperate looking fellow … where to buy tickets, and later, is this the right train.
The whole absurdity of being someone who at least LOOKS like they know what they’re doing is fun.
The train was a little late. Had a fun conversation with a gal who was reading, “The Power of Now” by Ekhart Tolle. She wasn’t digging it. I told her to stick with it. That book ebbs and flows and it’s not always mind-blowing IN the moment, but then when you’re done, you know it did what it was supposed to do. I told her about Michael Singer and the Untethered Stuff. I’m not sure she knew what to make of me. I think I surprised her a little with my “being present” vibe.
Then she got off the train and talked to another person from the Hague. He also seemed a little confused by me. It’s a trend, I guess.
The rental car station was about a 10 minute walk away, although it took me 20 because the Google did not live up … but got there, got the car, and was immediately back in my happy place. Although I was sad they did not have a manual transmission, which was my gig in Croatia. She said she would do me the favor of giving me an automatic for $7 more per day … but I said, nah, I actually wanted the manual — oh, ok, well we don’t have one, so you get an automatic for no further charge. Ha. Yeah. OK.
I’m on the SEA! I’m about an hour away from Amsterdam. This is my home base for the next few days, all my sleeps before I get on the plane. I will explore, go to Rotterdam, adventure, drive, and such. I’ll just train to Amsterdam, because I don’t want to drive there (and it sounds like nobody should).
This place is tiny but lovely. The whole accommodation is smaller than one room where I was … but that place was special.
The two rooms at the top of the lodging have private bathrooms. Apparently the ones on the floor below do not. When I was on my way up to my room, I saw a face in the window. Like he was waiting. As I was making my way into my room, I turned around, and down below me, naked guy with pale butt was using the shared bathroom. Glad I got a private.
