Somewhere, in Africa ... in a game reserve

Other images of Zanzibar

Zanzibar

We were supposed to fly to Zanzibar very early last Sunday morning (7.30am take off time). As I was exhausted during most part of my stay in Tanzania, I almost missed my trip to Zanzibar by sleeping through both my alarms … Fortunately, however, I managed to put clothes on and be ready in a few minutes and we arrived at the airport in time to catch our plane.

The flight itself (approximately ½ hour) was incredible, the plane was the tiniest I have ever seen (around 10 seats). We were not even asked to switch off our mobile phones so I left mine on and even exchanged some texts while flying! The view was fantastic – ocean and land, little islands and main land stretching underneath like in a fairy tale.

Our guide was a guy named Jackson who spoke almost perfect English and even told me a few words in Romanian, upon finding out that I am Romanian. He was an independent guide and did strike me as very knowledgeable.

A separate state within Tanzania, Zanzibar consists of two large islands, Unguja (Zanzibar Island) and Pemba, plus several smaller islets. Farming and fishing are the main occupations and most people live in small villages. Cloves are a major export, along with coconut products and other spices. The capital, and by far the largest settlement, is Zanzibar town on the west coast. The population is Muslim in its vast majority; the city having only two churches and over 100 mosques.

In 1840, Sultan Said of Oman relocated his capital in Muscat to Zanzibar. Many Omani Arabs settled on Zanzibar as rulers and landowners, forming an elite group, while Indian settlers formed a merchant class. The island became an Arab state, an important centre of regional politics, and the focus of booming slave trade. Britain had interests in Zanzibar throughout the 19th century; explorers such as Livingstone, Speke and Burton began their expeditions into the African interior from there. In 1890 Zanzibar became a British protectorate.

Zanzibar gained independence from Britain in 1963. In 1964, the sultan was overthrown in a revolution, and nearly all Arabs and Indians were expelled. Later the same year, Zanzibar and Tanganyika combined to form the United Republic of Tanzania.

The first place we were taken to was a small church and a square with a monument where the slaves used to be tied up and flogged in old times, to prove their solid constitution. The monument, made up of several statues in a hole in the ground, was evocative of those times when people were traded as mere commodities.

We were then taken to a local market which was quite an experience for me. I was feeling a bit queasy with exhaustion, sleep deprivation but the market experience almost made me faint. In a very narrow place, lots of people were gathered, traders and customers alike, all kind of fish and other sea food scattered on the ground, and on dirty counters, blood all over the place … I regretted the decision of going inside as soon as I set foot in there but it was already too late … The space was so limited, people dragging huge fish needed to make their way through, so you simply had to keep on moving. I took great pain in avoiding stepping into blood and taking lots of pictures at the same time. Luckily, Jackson spared us the meat section of the market … The rest of the market was interesting as we saw lots and lots of exotic fruits (red bananas was a first for me) and strange vegetables and spices.

We then had a pleasant stroll through Zanzibar’s old quarter, called Stone Town, which is a fascinating maze of narrow streets and alleyways, which lead the visitor past numerous old houses and mosques, ornate palaces, shops and bazaars. Many buildings in the Stone Town date from the 19th century slave boom. Houses reflect their builder’s wealth: Arab houses have plain outer walls and large front doors leading to an inner courtyard; Indian houses have a more open façade and large balconies decorated with railings and balustrades. A striking feature of many houses is the brass-studded doors with their elaborately carved frames. The size of a door and intricacy of its design was an indication of the owner’s wealth and status. The use of studs probably originated in Persia or India, where they helped prevent doors being knocked down by war-elephants. In Zanzibar, studs were purely decorative.

We had lunch in a luxurious restaurant right on the beach. The food was great and the view incredibly beautiful.

In the afternoon, we made a spice tour. This is an organised trip that practically all visitors to Zanzibar undertake. We visited a spice plantation and were shown various spices (incredible smells!!). The ground was extremely muddy and I basically ruined my beautiful Timberland walking shoes but it was well worth it!

A local boy kept manufacturing grass jewellery for us (bracelets, rings, necklaces) and even a kind of exotic bag in the form of a coconut!!

We gave hundreds of tips to everybody but it was all well deserved and I simply fell like giving as much as possible to help the people.

I returned in the evening to the hotel, tired, muddy and full of sweat but so happy and rich inside.

Mikumi National Park

I returned to Brussels on Friday after a long but uneventful flight. I spent a few hours in Heathrow, between flights which gave me some time to peruse the shops and then retreat to the business lounge for almost two hours. And now, finally, I am back home again.

I thought I would be glad to return – I am, indeed, glad but also a bit sad. I felt incredibly good in Tanzania and was sorry to leave.

I spent an incredible weekend there. Last Saturday we made a trip to Mikumi National Park and on Sunday we went to Zanzibar.

Mikumi is located about 200 miles West of Dar-Es-Salaam and about 70 miles from Morogoro on the Dar-Es-Salaam to Zambia highway. We had an early start – we left the hotel at 6am. Despite my continuous fatigue, I managed to stay awake for almost the entire journey to Mikumi. The scenery was breathtaking, the little villages on the side of the road so picturesque, the mountains astonishingly beautiful.

Once we paid the park fees we went in and found ourselves in paradise. We were extremely lucky; we managed to see lots of animals – elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, baboons, impalas, buffalos, elands, vultures, other beautiful birds. I felt so blessed and so lucky! I was especially impressed by a heard of elephants that crossed our way, with little baby elephants struggling to keep up with their parents :-) I also loved the tall giraffes, who made their way through the bush like pre-historic animals and very curious they were too ... Incredible images. Needless to say I took hundreds of pictures which I can hardly wait to download.

I should also mention the forest's smell and noises ... The smell of fresh vegetation and noises of millions little insects making their presence known to visitors ... Magnificent! I felt the need to get out of the car, stretch flat on the ground and lie there for hours on end, just listening ...

I think that nature and landscape have played the most important role in building my desire to go back to Tanzania for a holiday. It also partly explains my love for the country …

And I will go back soon, I know I will … Because nothing can ever compare to that. I am hooked!!!

In love with Tanzania

Today it's been a week since I landed in Dar-es-Salaam and it has become obvious to me that I have fallen in love with the country and the people here.

Tanzania is one of the East African countries which are not widely visited by tourists, even though its attractions are numerous and most enviable: within its borders lie Africa’s highest and fifth-highest mountains, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, Africa’s most famous national park and the world’s largest game reserve as well as portions of the three largest lakes on the continent (names like Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Dar-es-Salaam, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, etc. are famous). Tanzania is the Africa you have always dreamed about, especially in terms of wildlife.

We have been staying in Dar-es-Salaam which is the country’s largest city and most important Indian Ocean port, the commercial and social capital of Tanzania in all but name, with a population of around three million.

We arrived last Sunday, in the morning. We were picked up from the airport by a taxi driver hired by our hotel reception. We stay at the Holiday Inn and I am really impressed with the quality of their services as we have had all sorts of strange requests which were beautifully accommodated (we traded off breakfast for a take away lunch which has to be ready for us cruelly early in the morning when we leave for the office, we appeared at dinner one night with our laptops and insisted on chatting with friends online while eating, and other such strange arrangements). I have free wireless internet access in the room which, alone, would make me overlook some major downsides if, indeed, these existed.

Last Sunday, after resting in our rooms for a couple of hours, we were picked up by our host here and taken for a ride and a meal down town. The first contact with the city was made in a 4*4, off road car, which proved a great idea, especially given the unpaved and bumpy streets. Many streets in Dar are not actually paved and driving can prove really painful sometimes (literally speaking). The city is paralysed by often and bad electricity breakdowns and most people also have no running water. This is very bad and they are reduced to carrying water long distances.

Our main fear and concern here has been to stay away from mosquitoes at all times, but especially during early morning and evening hours, when the malarial ones attack. Or, rather, to keep them away from us :-) And I have quite succeeded – the hotel is safe and I always use a lot of repellent while in the office or outdoors.

People here are very kind and helpful. They always wear big smiles, would typically try to make some conversation with you if they master some English. The ones who do not speak English are shy and afraid of being asked questions and try to avoid us (in the office, for example) but, in doing so, they resemble big children and are so funny. They are also very polite, which we try to mirror by continuously repeating "sante sana" ("thank you very much", in Swahili) which sometimes becomes a bit ridiculous. I have learnt a few other words in Swahili, it's nice to practice with locals - it shows interest in their culture and makes them warm up to you.

Needless to say, most people are very poor, with no access to basic amenities. This makes me shudder with guilt, thinking about how lucky and spoilt I am. And suddenly things are put in perspective and I become ashamed of my “problems”. Is this good or bad?

Flying to Tanzania

Hurrah, I am going to Tanzania!! At last I will fulfil a life dream to see Africa! I will not even try to hide my excitement and eagerness at the thought that I am flying this afternoon!!! I’m flying British Airways through London and will arrive in Dar-es-Salaam on Sunday (very) early morning. It will be a long flight (one hour from Brussels to London and almost ten hours from London to Dar) but we are flying business so at least will have space to stretch our legs and even sleep, if we are lucky :-)

The preparations have been long and intricate, some of them quite unpleasant. I had to be vaccinated against several nasty diseases – diphtheria, polio, tetanus, yellow fever, hepatitis A. I am dead afraid of needles and I really had to pluck my courage to go to the travel institute and have these done. I will write shortly and in length about the trip to the institute and how we ended up consenting to be vaccinated – it is hilarious.

And, of course, malaria pills … I am taking Malarone – you start one day before the trip and continue one week after you return to your home country. Of course, taking the pills does not guarantee you won’t catch the disease :-) . I am actually a bit concerned about that as it’s the rainy season now in Tanzania and the risk of malaria is very high, especially on the coast, where we will be based.

I am writing this literally in the last minute – my suitcase is (nearly) packed and I am trying to concentrate (hard) and determine if I have taken everything. Including my camera, of course, and the three memory cards that I bought yesterday and the rechargeable batteries (my camera is a Canon Power Shot and I was advised to use rechargeable batteries instead of alkaline ones).

Yes, everything seems to be in order … I am in a hurry to finish this and post it … Taxi will be here in exactly half an hour.

I promise to give a detailed account of everything! And lots of pictures!

Have a fabulous weekend!

A Girl's Treat

Speaking with one of my male acquaintances the other day, I realised once again that men and women are different in many respects. He said he goes shopping when his fridge is empty! I go shopping just about all the time and mostly for very different things, food being definitely one of the lowest priorities on my list.

I have an irresistible attraction to shoes and clothes (of the expensive sort, of course). I shop whenever there is a real need for new things (these instances, however, have become more and more rare lately) but, especially, whenever I feel under the weather. And this certainly happens more often than once in a blue moon.

Yesterday I went out with the main objective of buying a present for somebody’s birthday and ended up with half a dozen books and a new bag for myself. Additionally, I received some belated presents for my birthday (which I love and am very thankful for) – a pair of nice Victoria Secret slippers and a pair of beautiful earrings … Mmmm … Thank you!!

I had a very enjoyable lunch with one of my friends in a French restaurant and, later, both of us met other two friends for drinks and a chat. Needless to say, we had a lovely time :-). Afterwards, back in my flat, I enjoyed a night of absolutely nothing, lying comfortably on my couch and watching some movies.

Midway through what appeared to be an agreeable weekend, I got to thinking about relationships and differences between men and women. Are we vainer than men? Are we shallower? Are these clichés all true? Do men have equivalents of our shoes and perfumes and expensive jewellery?

Shopping might be the cure of a blue weekend afternoon but I am well aware of the fact that I could nicely do without it, in case this was really needed. I also know that it takes more than an expensive pair of shoes and a matching bag to solve the real problems.

Some day I will go back ...

Is this really all there is to it?

Last week a friend in Romania emailed me an article recently published in a Romanian newspaper. It describes the results of a research study performed by a group of American psychologists. I usually take these things with a large pinch of salt (which means I nearly ignore them) but this one intrigued me.

I have translated the article from Romanian into English. You can read it below.

"A sane individual cannot be in love longer than 2 years

The research work undertaken by American psychologists from the Californian High Research Institute showed that love is influenced by genes. Some statistics were compiled which could play the role of a guide book for couples, in their attempt to anticipate the fate of their relationship.

One week. This is the minimum time of an incipient exaltation period, according to the psychologists. The individual falls in love within 4 to 6 hours but, as they find out details about the object of their love, they relax, reaching neutrality in 7 days, or even amazement: “What did I see in him / her?” type of question arises.

1 – 4 months. The average period for adolescent loves and affairs started not as much as a consequence of a crushing passion but more as result of favourable circumstances. However, the psychologists maintain that, in these cases, one of the partners usually puts an abrupt end to the relationship (on shallow grounds), while the other one suffers for another 6 to 8 months, considering themselves “victims”.

5 months – 1 year. These are the relationships in which both partners are very much in love but there are complications: either they are married (to someone else), or they are very young and have issues with their parents, or they have jobs that stimulate their appetites for a career to the detriment of the love relationship. In most such cases, the partners separate based on mutual consent, even though one of them seems to suffer more.

1 – 2 years. The psychologists’ sentence is firm and annoying: love does not last more than 2 years. What follows is routine, attachment, stable affection, dependence, laziness, moral rigor (in case of marriages) and many other inertia related behaviours. Many people throughout the world protested against this sentence but, upon a close and sincere self analysis, they will realise that the psychologists are right.

The famous “lifelong loves” are due, in the specialists’ view, to pathological complications: obsession, delirium in virtual world, psychosis, emotional instability. In other words, only the loonies can keep the intensity of the feeling unchanged for a lifetime. This does not mean, however, that a couple that resists in time is ailing – in this case, the affection took much more complex (or less intense!) forms which cannot be defined as love”.

This seems to be a scientific response to my earlier “butterflies in the stomach” ramblings … A very sad and unfair one, what else can I say. That’s why I’ve just decided I don’t trust it.

In and out of Moscow …

Thank god today is the day I will fly out of Moscow! I have been here for 11 days and 10 nights as per my endless hotel bill).

God, this place is so bloody expensive, I spent a little fortune only on wireless internet scratch cards (I had 9, all for 24 hours!). This was a bit silly because during daytime I was out of the hotel room anyway and didn’t really use the wireless. Moreover, the internet connection in the offices here is quite good – I even managed to be online on Skype which is quite unheard of in any other office I have visited so far. So, there was probably no real need for continuous internet access in the room but, for one reason or another, I have felt so depressed here ever since I landed so continuous connection with the outside (civilised!) world was really precious. Prejudices, haunting memories, the perspective of spending a few years in this place … who knows? I only know that I have felt quite bad and stressed out here. It’s very strange – whenever I am in Moscow, I have this need of stopping indoors – I really don’t feel like going out and visiting places or having fun outside. This time I only visited the Kremlin – this was the second time for me and, of course, I had exactly the same reaction as the first time – yes, you guessed, I did not like it. Totally hated it, to be more precise. That happened on Saturday and, as soon as the visit was over, I hurried back to my hotel room and did not leave it until Monday morning.

I remember the Monday I travelled to Moscow from Brussels, two weeks ago – we spent one full day travelling. First, the flight was delayed, we then spent 3.5 hours in the air, then it took us another 2.5 hours stuck in horrendous traffic jam from the airport to the hotel in the city centre. Oh, sadly enough, that was my birthday … :-( I remember hoping to god that something would happen to prevent me from ending up in Moscow. The girl in the airport in Brussels who was supposed to check our passports and visas upon boarding did not look in detail at mine. So, I was surprised to see her a bit later, when I was (uncomfortably) settled in my seat on the plane, hurrying towards me and politely asking me to hand her my passport once again as she had been a bit confused before. So I said to her “please, make sure you find something wrong with my visa, my passport or something …”. She smiled and said “you don’t really want to go there, do you”…. Unfortunately, everything was in order … :-(

People here are a bit rude and rough, expressions / words like “thank you” or “please” are extremely rarely used, they bump into you without a word on the streets, they shout at each other, queues are jumped on a regular basis, people are beaten up on the streets. People are shot to death. One morning, our taxi passed by a place which had been blown up by a bomb – an entire flat was completely destroyed, policemen were gathered and looked at the place in dismay, millions of little pieces of glass were scattered all over the place … Very violent and dangerous place this city … Oh, I forgot to mention the weather … When you look out of the window, all you can see is an endless grey. When it's not raining. And it’s so cold ….

Fortunately, I am no longer faced with the perspective of moving to and living in Moscow … I am no longer faced with that tough choice. Everybody is relieved and happy and I feel like I am living again :-) . Thanks everybody for the continuous support!

I didn’t realise that I could miss Brussels so much … It really feels like home. And I will be at home tonight! God, I can hardly wait! My flat, my bed, my things ....

All is well that ends well ...

Marché aux puces and other weekend happenings

‘Is there a fair organised on your street each weekend?’ was the question whispered in my ear on Saturday, (very) early in the morning (I was soon going to find out it was 7am!). It was A, who visited me this weekend, and had been awoken by police cars with policemen shouting things into megaphones. I awoke dizzy and confused, having no clue what he was talking about. I dragged myself near the window and we both looked outside, noses pressed against the glass, like two curious children.

To my utter bewilderment, I saw several sheets or pieces of plastic spread on the pavement and, displayed on them, various items of second hand merchandise – from old dolls, books to worn out clothes. We even saw a clothes rack and an old telly waiting for interested buyers. We had quite a laugh, it was actually very difficult for me to stop laughing … there was also a mobile canteen, selling food and drinks allowing the exhausted visitors to have a pleasant rest. A very fat couple was already buying something to eat … As if they really needed it! Two black guys were selling books and dolls and an older couple was showing interest … The woman was closely examining a doll and showed it to her husband … He took it from her hands, looked at it, got his finger under the doll’s skirt and decided to buy it … :-). I looked and laughed for a while longer, such a crazy gathering of people, people with dogs on the leash, Chinese, black people, Arab people, I even saw Indians … The only thing they seemed to have in common was the poor dressing style … You could tell that they were all poor people, who else would buy second hand baby clothes sold directly from the pavement? The whole scene both saddened and made me laugh … Brussels truly is a perfect melting pot!! And I just love it so for it! I went back to sleep a little while afterwards as I still felt in need of sleep.

Later that day, sitting in an Indian restaurant, we talked about children and relationships, having children versus not having … and Moscow and job prospects.

The weather was fantastic this weekend again … These have probably been the last true autumn days in Brussels. Or, ones of the last, anyway. I feel so bad and regretful about having to fly to Moscow tomorrow! Grrrr .... what a dreary place!!

Today, sitting in a braserie, I was caught totally off guard by a question … He asked, in a very serious manner, if I would definitely come to live in Moscow … It was a very serious question … Impossible to dodge it … I fidgeted, tried to gain time by playing with my food on the plate, playing with my curls, taking a sip of water … Finally said that I would, provided I find a good job …

And here I am, packing my suitcase again! I am off to … Moscow tomorrow! I am full of prejudices about this country and culture but I know I have to look at it with different eyes … Maybe, just maybe, I will be able to survive there for two weeks. Just to prove a point. Not mine.

Autumn is here ...

At last! Brussels often shines with glittering rain … We often have rain in Brussels these days, without it being annoying, since these are short intervals followed by other sunny intervals … The temperature is quite pleasant, the colours are simply amazing in their variety. So … autumn is here, my favourite season.

Yes, I have been lazy and not too inspired lately that’s why the blog suffered. But probably nobody really noticed that I have not updated it since nobody ever reads it so …. That’s cool, it makes a real diary out of it – for my eyes only :-). Please, you casual readers, don’t prove me wrong :-)

So … what have I done lately? Hmmm … not much in terms of travelling, I’m afraid. I went to Amsterdam for work for three days and also spent last week-end there. I have been to Amsterdam many times but this was the first time I looked at it with different eyes, I discovered its specific charm. I took long strolls, paused to look at the canals, had quiet meals in Oriental restaurants. People were so relaxed and everything seemed a lot nicer than last time I was there.

These days I am back in Brussels and currently preparing to fly to Moscow on Monday morning. I will be in Moscow on a job for what seems to me an eternity - two weeks - and also on the week-end in between. I haven’t been to Moscow since 2001/2002 when A was there on a secondment and I went to visit like a dutiful wife. I heard on the grapevine that things might have changed for the better, however some have also changed for the worse. Much worse. But it remains to be seen … I guess I can always just sit in my hotel room and read or chat online with friends or (god forbid!) even work if the outside atmosphere strikes me as being too threatening for escapades.

What else is new? My best friend is on the look for her better half so I am consulted again and my opinion is sought on lots of pictures of guys :-( That is so boring and I am usually very exigent so … poor guys, most of them don’t really stand a chance. Well, I’m actually joking – my friend is much more lenient in this respect …

It’s funny how different people really are. Another good friend has wanted a baby for ages. She is not married but has a boyfriend who is afraid of committing and especially of having children. But she desperately wants to have a baby, it has become her raison d'être. Consequently she is very unhappy and has given the guy an ultimatum. My best friend above mentioned, who is currently looking for a boyfriend, on the other hand, was completely put off by a guy who told her (on the very first date!) that he wanted a family and children and he was extremely willing to commit almost immediately. Hmmm … it’s all very strange and frustrating! But life likes to play the cruellest tricks sometimes! Most of the time we don’t realise what exactly we want and, when we finally realise that, it’s usually too late! Sometimes we just want what is inaccessible, what we cannot really get. If, by a miracle, we manage to come by that particular thing, we end up losing interest most of the times or messing things up. Life is simply not fair!

Well … I think it’s time to end this long post … I am sure that the casual reader has long since fallen asleep! Maybe they are even snoring now :-). I myself feel sleepy at this time so it must have been one of my most boring ones :-( .Until next time, dear blog!

Lazy Saturday morning in bed

I feel so great this morning! I woke up to the sound of an incoming text message only to discover that I had slept through my noisy cell alarm! Again! Well, at least today it’s the week-end, it doesn’t matter if I oversleep :-). I smiled to myself, remembering that I don’t need to go anywhere today, I can just laze about in bed, reading, thinking, updating my blog (of course!).

So I allowed myself another hour, lying in bed, thinking. So much to think about these days! Feelings to cope with, major decisions to be taken, the amazing life itself to come to terms with!

The prospect of a possible move to Moscow sometime in the distant future, scary as it might be, does not, at least, call for a hasty decision. Moscow is the last place on this planet where I would actually consider living and working … Lots of prejudices on my part, of course, but most of them turn out to be solidly grounded. A very recent article in “The Economist” provides the reader with a shattering picture of Russia today. It’s drastic population decline, especially driven by the startling death rate which is more than twice Western Europe’s. Apparently, male life expectancy in some parts of the country is now not higher than 53!! Heart disease rate is probably the highest, everywhere, ever. Murder is 20 times more common that in Western Europe, violent deaths and suicides are higher than ever. The booze is to blame, of course, for these appalling statistics. Other factors are smoking, pollution including radioactivity and a totally inefficient and corrupt health system. Not to mention the mafia related murders which really make you wonder how safe Moscow really is.

Is Moscow the place to live in these days? Do I really want to do this … Do I really want to leave a civilised country to move to Moscow? I love Belgium and my current life … I wonder … Difficult subject for a lovely Saturday morning, eh? I will think about it tomorrow :-). It does require a level of seriousness which I don’t seem to posses today …

PS Lovely picture - courtesy my friend

Forgive me, blog

I have just realised in complete shock that I have neglected you, blog, for some time now. Which is something I feel very sad about. Because some very interesting things happened lately. Some I can share with you, some I can not. Unfortunately.

Anyway ... Last Saturday I met my lovely friend Richard in Antwerp and spent the most wonderful day. The weather was absolutely incredible (and not only after Belgian standards), sunny and warm all the time which made us smile. We would have smiled anyway because we usually have a great time together, every time we meet. Richard is unchanged, of course. Still completely crazy and still makes me laugh. This time there was the three of us - the two of us and Prince William! Or, rather, a big picture of Prince William's face which appeared in all pictures that Richard was taking. Or most of all anyway.

We wandered the streets, Richard took pictures of rubbish as usual, we discussed all sorts of interesting things, took a lovely boat ride (but too uneventful to be very exciting), ate light lunch and dinner in two of the numerous restaurants of the city. Eventually said goodbye to each other (and Antwerp) around 9pm to jump on our trains (going to Brussels and Leiden respectively). Stay well, little one! Good luck with your marathon in October!!

I have been in Lyon since Tuesday morning, for work. I hadn't had great expectations in relation to Lyon but so far the stay has really proven a complete nightmare. First of all, yesterday evening when we got to our hotel (or, rather, the one which we thought we had rooms booked in) we were told that there was no reservation in our names. Somebody had called and cancelled it. The hotel was a Novotel and it today turned out that we had reservation with another hotel in the same chain. But apparently it was impossible for the lady at the reception to check in the common database and see that we did, actually, have rooms booked. So we had to stay for one night in another hotel and change hotels again today, which was a complete pain. It seems that most hotels are fully booked here this week due to the soccer match Lyon - Madrid.

Secondly, in this new hotel only 25% of the rooms have internet access and mine is not one of these ... Again, it was impossible for me to change rooms as, of course, rooms are fully booked here too! So I had to stay at the hotel bar to update my blog (I have wireless access here). At least the guys here have been quite civilised and did not yell, whatever the match result was.

I actually look forward to flying back home ... This will happen on Friday, if everything goes according to plan and no unpleasant surprises occur (you can never be too sure in Lyon!!) ... I look forward to sleep in my four poster bed again :-) I miss Brussels!!

About trust ....

Some recent happenings in my life got me thinking about trust and relationships ... How hard it is to actually get to trust somebody and how easily this trust can be broken. Is trust something that you must deserve or is it rather something that you receive unconditionally from the very beginning, as a matter of course being, only afterwards, put to the test?

Can a relationship survive without trust? They say it can't and I tend to agree with the general view. Without trust the partners would actually torture one another and themselves at the thought of what the other's actions could be. Suspicion is the recipe for disaster in a couple's life. And not only. It's more or less the same in any kind of relationship, friendship included.

What is the connection (if, indeed, there is such a connection) between trust or, rather, mistrust and jealousy in a partnership? I think jealousy encompasses mistrust. And some dose of lack of self confidence, I suppose. Is the ability to trust your partner something that you can educate in time or is it something you are born with? Are some people more suspicious than other?

What if we have clear evidence that our friend or partner has lied to us ... And they persist in hiding the truth (or blurring it) even when offered an honorable opportunity to make a clean breast of it. Sometimes love is strong enough to make us disappointment proof and lead us to go on. Which is really amazing. But the image of that particular disappointment will continue to haunt us, probably.

Can trust be measured by degrees? I think not ... I think it's either you trust somebody fully and irrefutably or you don't trust them at all. But, then again, who am I to jugde? I have always been a black or white sort of person ... Too radical for my own good!!