The ball dropped in New York City’s Times Square, and fireworks blazed across the skies across the world. Yeah, it’s 2023. Hallelujah. It’s hard to believe that we could celebrate again after COVID forced so many festivities to be canceled for so long. In Europe, even the Christmas markets returned this season. Boy, I’d missed […]
Experiencing The Best of Belgium During the Holidays Read More »
COVID-19 has been a nightmare for nearly three years, a nightmare I thought I’d avoided. I had four vaccinations and no infection, and even dated someone infected with the virus. Yet, I escaped it. Okay, I admit it. I was feeling a bit cocky. I dodged a bullet, or so I thought. And then, just
Travel Smart and Dodge A Bullet Read More »
Every four years, the world goes mad. Why? World Cup football, or soccer as we Yanks say, returns, pitting 32 teams against each other in a race for bragging rights — and $42 million in prize money. The runner-up gets $30 million. Just by qualifying for the competition, the players’ wallets get a bit thicker
The World Has Gone Mad Read More »
Thanksgiving, which we affectionately called turkey day when we were kids, has always been my favorite holiday. For me, it’s about friends, family and food. But for Europeans, it’s just another day on the calendar. Thanksgiving in Europe is just an American thing. Why I Love Thanksgiving Unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving is free of crazy commercialism.
Thanksgiving in Europe Read More »
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” That wasn’t just Peter Finch’s rallying cry in the 1987 film Broadcast News. It’s a battle cry around the world these days. Here in Belgium, anger about rising costs and reduced buying power have come to a head with a “national day of
There are so many challenges being an expat living in Europe. I didn’t think renting a house would be one of them. When I left Minnesota in 2016, I rented out my house, first to family members who took loving care of it, and then to renters vetted by a local management company. I never expected
Bad Renters: A Cautionary Tale Read More »
Charleroi Airport, Belgium’s second busiest airport, closed to departures for the third day in a row on Wednesday, October 19. It doesn’t seem like the season for strikes, but the airport became a chaotic scene this week, especially on Monday afternoon when access to the airport for departures was restricted. A strike by the airport
Charleroi Is Back in the News Read More »
Waterloo Uncovered helps veterans heal through archaeology with a unique program at the Battle of Waterloo site.
Waterloo Uncovered Read More »
Is horticulture hot? Heck, yes. Find out for yourself at a once-in-a-decade horticulture exhibition in the city of Almere, the newest city in the Netherlands. The 148-acre International Horticulture Exhibition Floriade brings in the big names in horticulture for a six-month exhibition. This year’s focus is on growing greener cities and inspiring people to live
Horticulture Takes on a New Life at Floriade Read More »
Going Dutch took on a whole new meaning for me this week. No, it’s not just sharing payment on a restaurant bill. For me, it now means embracing sustainability, caring about climate change, and being a responsible citizen. That was the message I got when I walked away from a day-long visit to Floriade, a
Are You Going Dutch? Read More »
