Corfu

Forgive me for not posting in the last week, I have been in Greece, and without Internet until now!
Monday I found myself packing again, but this time only for a little more than a week. Tuesday morning Bruno drove us to the Soignies train station, where we caught the 10 o'clock to Brussels-Aéroport. Spiri, Andrea, and I checked in with Thomas Cook airlines, and all went well on our flight to Corfu. Stepping out of the plane was like coming back to Charleston, it is really hot here. Fortunately, our hotel has a pool and the Mediterranean is quite refreshing. After settling in and scouring the beach for live Greek music on Tuesday, we took an island tour on Wednesday hitting all the main tourist attractions. We saw an island monastery, the Achilleon Palace (loaded with history and beautiful inside and out), Corfu Town and it's grand square (largest in Greece, 4th largest in Europe), the mountain peak at 3,000 feet, Paleokastritsa Beach, late lunch at Bella Vista with a glorious view of Paleokastritsa Bay, and we even stopped for refreshments on the road looking over to Albania only a few kilometers away. The tour ended after a visit to a beautiful old Orthodox monastery. It was a long, but enjoyable day. Wednesday morning we caught the bus from Dasia and went to Corfu Town to the older portion, with architecture reminding me of Italy. We saw all the main sites and ambled the streets for a few hours. We were lucky enough to get to enter the Church of St. Spiridon and see his mummy entombed (most people were kissing the glass over his head and feet, but I just pretended). That afternoon I took a siesta and rested around the pool area for the remainder of the day.  Friday was pretty relaxed, we went to the beach in the morning before the flocks of Italians and Germans came to littler the beach after lunchtime. I proceeded to take a siesta after Friday lunch and then join Spiri and Andrea at the pool until dinner. That night the search was on again for Greek music with less success than on Tuesday, ending shortly after we arrived to watch the Zorba. This morning, Saturday, we woke up early before even the hotel breakfast buffet opoened in order to catch the 7 o'clock bus into Corfu Town. There, we bought tickets for a ferry ride to the mainland, at Igoumenitsa. From here we rode a bus to Ionnina to meet up with some of Spiri's family for a day of visiting family around the surrounding villages of Dodoni and Mandio. Spiri showed us around the villages and we saw the Mandio church and monastery, and took us out for luch at a local restaurant with authentoc Greek cuisine. This evening on our way back into Ionnina, we went to the worlds oldest known Greek theater in Spiri's hometown Dodoni, dating from the 3rd century BC. Now, we are taking reprieve from the brutal heat in Hotel du Lac, which as it so happens, is a five-star hotel, and consequently very nice. Here, I finally get internet.
Tomorrow we will visit the sites in Ionnina and return to Corfu up until our departure Tuesday.
Corfu is a truly beautiful island, and I am having a splendid vacation here! Photos will be posted in plenty sometime next week. Until then, I will be without Internet.
Kalinixta!

Ducasse d'Ath

Yesterday, the whole family headed south to the "propre" city of Ath for la fête de Ducasse. Here, there were giants, goliaths as Monsieur Rossi would have me say, who danced down the street in a parade surrounded by a troop of would-be French soldiers. Taking place at three in the afternoon, the giants processed from the Grande Place to the church to get married, bells ringing all the while. Following the parade, we took a brief respite from the heat and had cold drinks in the shade. Madame Spiri has a pharmacist friend who lives in Ath who graciously invited us to a party above a restaurant overlooking Ath's Grande Place while we waited for the second round of festivities beginning at six. Here, we had a view of the goliaths while a little boy (David) was chosen from the crowd to throw a ball at a hole in Goliath's garb. If he were to have succeed, then festivities would have continued, but as it turns out, he missed, and the festival ended. For Ducasse, Ath city-dwellers embark in making a special once-a-year almond pie to be eaten along with a glass of Bourgogne. Delighting in the chance to try this unique dish, we went to a pâtisserie-boulangerie to get one for ourselves. We have been enjoying it all day today. After the festivities, we went with some of Spiri's pharmacy friends to Viande etc. for dinner, where I tried a French beef shish-kebab, very good. Find below pictures of Ath and of the festival.
Today I woke up early to be taken to a local Catholic church service by one kind Madame Devausse in Masières. The service was fine, and best of all, brief. I didn't understand all of the service, and I admit I hardly tried to listen to the sermon, but I was glad I went. Ensuing church, I took a cat-nap to catch up on  some sleep. This evening I went to a party in Quartier Salazar for the welcoming of an Argentinian who just arrived Saturday, named Facundo Ortiz. I then went with Bruno to see a local soccer match of Nimy vs. Masières. Back at the house, Yaya, the Greek grandmother was present for dinner. Speaking not a word of French, and solely Greek, Spiri helped translate. The night came to a close after a quick visit from Spiri's nearby sister and family.
Today, I learned the patois (Belgian dialect) word for money - daiyar (I have no idea of the real spelling, but that's how it's pronouced).

Flag of Ath

La commune d'Ath

French soldiers in parade

Surf soldiers

Géants d'Ath

Me with Belgian police hat

Long Days

These past few days have been very exciting, with much improved weather, not a drop of rain to speak of. Lately Andrea has been taking me on bike rides around the local towns. Wednesday we went to Thieusies, Casteau, and through the forest. Today we went to neighboring Obourg and to see the Seven Lakes outside Saint Denis. Though my legs aren't quite used to two hours of biking, these excursions have been quite enjoyable, though a bit fatiguing. I recently met the Rossis' neighbor, Martine, who has seven beautiful kitties and whose husband can be heard on the local French radio! Andrea and I went to see Salt Wednesday night at Mons' movie theater- Imagix. Though in French, I retain a vague idea of what was going on in the film, I always like a movie with Angelina Jolie. :) Thursday night I went out with the Mons-Bruyere Rotary Club that is sponsoring me to Osaka, a Japanese restaurant in Ghlin outside Mons. Five courses were served, and I was surprised by their rule that everyone must wear a silk kimono while dining, an interesting experience. Today I went into the city with Andrea, where I met many of his "copains" and made some friends myself. The city at night on weekends is quite a sight, with people everywhere all up and down the streets. As they say here, there is much ambience. I even saw Sarah, the other American Rotary exchange student here in Mons while downtown. Sarah is from upstate New York, and it was nice to talk to another student learning to speak French and being immersed in the Walloon culture.
I am very happy here, and the Rossis are ever so kind and welcoming.
I will have more photos to share in the days to come!
À plus tard!

Here are some photos of the house- my room, the kitchen, the dining room, and living room. You can also see the Rossis' wonderful garden and the vineyard that abuts the house. The Brabant chicken, which the Rossis jokingly call Laura (name of the daughter) can often be seen here and there in the garden scouring the soil for little treats. The house is very comfortable, and I enjoy the verandah and sunroom when it is sunny outside. 

In this picture I can be seen helping the Rossis in the upkeep of the garden. I finally found yard-work that I don't mind doing: pruning bushes.  

Bruno took this picture this morning of Spiri and me. The Rossi house used to be a farm house, and this door made for cow feeding adjacent the kitchen is a relic of its history, dating from its construction in the 15th century. 

Rain Rain Go Away

For the past three days, it has rained. Andrea says it rains about 70% of the time here...
The good news is that because of all the rain, it is really green and there is lots of plant life. Here, you can wear a sweater all day long, and Spiri and Bruno even put on the heater the other day. But, in my opinion cold beats hot.
Yesterday I went into the city with Spiri to register for school, then to "la commune" so that the Belgian government knew I was here and well. We also went out shopping for dinner, as we were to make "raclettes" for dinner- delicious baked potatoes Swiss style with cheese fondue and assorted meats. I had another gaufre au chocolat while I was out, and it's true, they are so much better here! On another note, I have been eating unknowingly horse meat since the day I arrived, and I must admit it is quite tasty.
This morning I waited for the rain to stop to go take some pictures of the village. Andrea and Bruno later took me into the city in the afternoon to purchase my bus pass which I will use to get to school every day. Following, we took a short foot tour of la Grande Place de Mons and some pedestrian shopping streets. My camera battery unfortunately died before I had the chance to take any pictures, so photos of Mons will have to wait, but it is all very old and pretty.
We ate Greek tonight, with the whole family helping in making "boulettes" Spiri-style. Boulettes are beef meatballs with onion, parley, and a hint of mint. We also had some very good Greek vegetables that all came from the Rossi's garden (as they say here- c'est bio!) and rice. Later tonight Andrea and I are going with Michael, Bruno's brother here in Saint Denis, to go see fireworks.
All is well here, and I am understanding more every day. I have begun to watch the Belgian news channel a lot, not that I understand it all, but I do like that they speak clearly and properly.
À bientôt!

Saint Denis

Looking down the street

Pumpkins by the street in front of the Rossi residence

Town river (see waterfall in distance)

Local pub

One of the seven famous ponds of Saint Denis

Looking over the 11th century abby wall

Abby entrance

15th century local church

As the rain ceased this morning, I seized the chance to go for a short bike ride and take some photos of Saint Denis. Saint Denis is a small village of about 900 people, settled in a valley a short way from Mons. At first there was just the abby, and over the years people came and houses sprang up. The Rossi's house is one of the oldest houses here, built in the 15th century! I hope you enjoy these photos.

First Day and a Half

The flights here to Belgium all went fine, with around twenty other American Rotary exchange students in company for the last leg from Washington DC to Brussels. Upon my arrival, Laura (host daughter going to Cleveland this year) and Bruno (host dad) gave me a warm welcome to Belgium. Here, it is nice and cool, around 75 for the temperature high. It also rains a lot in little spells here, which I do not mind. 

Here is the Rossi's house which I will be staying in until January, located in Saint Denis, a quaint village just 7 kilometers from Mons. I also met Spiri (host mother) and Andrea (host brother). After settling in to Laura's room and a quick nap, I went out with Andrea and Bruno to run errands, during which time I got to try my first gaufre au chocolat (Begian waffle smothered in Nutella) at the local centre commerciale, and a new phone. That afternoon Andrea kindly took me up the hill adjacent their home to take in a view of the valley wherein lies Saint Denis, and Mons in the distance. Afterwards, I took a bike ride with Andrea around Saint Denis to see the local sites, including the ruins of a 17th century abby. The Rossis had a little barbeque for my arrival and Laura's departure that evening, and Sylvain, who will be my host brother for the second half of my exchange, came to share in the festivities. Following dinner, we went to Spiri's sister's house closeby for evening drinks. Unfortunately, jet lag did not permit me to stay up too late, so I turned in early when we got back.
Today, the Rossi's were back to Brussels to send off Laura while I had a bit of a lie in. I had my first look at French television today, only some of which I can understand, but I'm working on it. Other than that, it has been raining much of the day, so I haven't done too much sightseeing and the like, but tomorrow Spiri is taking me into the city for school registration.
À plus tard!

The Night Before

Bonsoir,
It is the night before I leave, and this is my first post for my upcoming year so everyone can see what I am up to in Europe. I am excited and I have all my bags packed. I had a time getting them all just shy of 50 pounds each to comply with airline rules, but now I am ready to go now for my flight tomorrow morning.
I am looking forward to soon seeing the Rossi family and beginning of my year in Mons. 
I will miss everyone here. 


Au revoir