RHYTHM AND BLUES

I go back to Belgium and I take home with me: Marrylinns warmth, Davids cardealingskills, Lawrence’ care and help (could not have done this trip without him), Babs organic fooddiners and Martys ability to make his own homemade bacon and the art of shooting but more important cleaning guns! David Applebaums flexibility, Robs insight in the red danger, a good study attitude from the five Georgetownstudents Mike, Taylor, Ted, Jake and Peter , Skylers philosophies, wellness tips and my first Whole Foods experience from Elizabeth, the best girltime with Kayla, an amazing party night with Nikky, Rehanna, Christina and the highest red pumps I ever wore, deporte Colombiana con Jorge, heerlijke Colombiaanse honing van Nele en Kobe, a beautifull smile from Lindsey, adventurous stories from Franzi, some spotted dolphins thanks to Felix, ‘life is a party’ – attitude from Allison, mijn eerste surfles en een spelletje waarvan ik de naam niet meer weet met Jef, Nicolas, Stijn en Wannes, some tropical nature talk with Mekki en onvergetelijke wandelingen met Elena. La hospitalidad de la familia de Riccy, de los Drawerts,  papa Gomez y la familia Romero. Un amigstad por la vida con Darwin, Dinora, Erwin, Sylvia, Ruben, Kenia y Nestor!

A surrogate birder mom called Penny, and my surrogate sister who also appears to be my lawyer and yogateacher Hannah!

Some great foodguidance in New Orleans by Nick and Steve. A sip of Austins social night- and daylife with Zach and Zuri, some motherskills from Amanda and her cuties, oilchange-expirience by Jeremiah, an insight in my own brain and toughts by Chris, no earrings but the friendship with Natalie, a Worldcup defeat of the USA with the support of  Aubree and my new ring from City under the Sea, overleven in de woestijn met Dries, de mooiste nationale parken met mooie Jonas (die ik ook mee naar huis nam),  a certain affection for Nordic walkingssticks, tattoos and underwaterlife thanks to a bear called Dustin, hugelkultur and urinetherapy by Ross Brockley, a zen-attitude by James, some girltalk with Shev, profound bar-time with Augo,  nana’s 100-birthday, beautifull pottery from Cathy. A suitcase full of blues, a head full of precious memories (sister rosetta tharpe) and a heart full of love. Thank you!

Every time I would leave another beautifull place or leave new amazing people I would get in my car and get overwhelmed by a melancholic feeling people call ‘the blues’.

Blues, a word that I knew to be a name for music with American roots where, between the guitarsolos, a sad voice sings about the misery they live in. Music I love. One of the many reasons why America got my interest. Music I expected to hear, but I never tought I would  have some blues of my own.

Though blues is found to be sad, in my case, my tears or sadness  were often alternated with a satisfied smile. A smile that reflects how I enjoyed my stays, how I learned so many new things, how hospitable and generous people are, how beautifull this country is and how this trip was worth it. The sadness was more a melancholy and the doubt about how I would go on without my new inspiring friends. Not just for this trip, but for the rest of my life.

Scared that I would bring a very dark, heavy blues back home I left the USA.

But once I got of that plane my family and friends helped me dance back into the Belgian rhythm. Apart from some lightheaded rainy, grey sundaymorning blues or the blues I listen to, I can’t complain. Not because there is no space for blues in Belgium, but because I know there is no need for blues because I will see my inspiring friends again and I haven’t left the USA forever.  I will be back. And in the meanwhile I enjoy the Rythm and Blues in Belgium.

But, the best of friends, we’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again, some sunny day!