YMX 4: Walk and Talk

April 16, 2012

Map of Kortrijk

LATE! It was somewhat frustrating because as much as we want to be early, Kuya Martin and I woke up late and our hosts were in a hurry for a doctor’s appointment. So we rushed with everything from taking the shower and up to eating breakfast. When we arrived to the train station, Stijn oriented us with what we will be doing the whole day. He explained that since the places we'd be visiting are quite near it wouldn't be pratical to take a car or ride a bus, so he asked us to get our walking shoes ready. 

A panoramic shot of the city square

He gave us a quick tour around the city. Got to see the big and old churches at the same time we got to see shops selling clothes and chocolates. Also got in Leonidas, the shop that sells the most expensive and houses the best chocolates in the world!

K in Kortrijk Shopping Mall

Inside the church

In front of Leonidas

Delicious but expensive chocolates. :(

Kortrijk's City Hall

After the long and tiring walk, we went to the city hall for a short tour and to have our lunch. Tom, the city's Head of Communications, oriented us with Belgium, Kortrijk, and the city's history and government. I found out that Belgium is currently divided into 3 big communities: the Dutch (North), French/Flemish (South), and the German (East). 41 people get elected in the City Council by the people and from that council, the Mayor will be elected, who is allowed to serve for 6 years and can be reelected. Their Prime Minister is the Head of Government while their King serves only in ceremonial functions.

Tom, Head of Communications

He also shared that they dont have any corruption issues and that the common social problems that they faces are unemployment and security. But ironically, as I did some research, it turns out that Belgium is one of the countries with the lowest unemployment rates. 

The view from the topmost floor of the city hall.

After the loading our minds with information about Belgium, its politics and economy, we went to the topmost floor where we had our Belgian lunch. After 2 hours of lunch break, Stijn told us that we'll be meeting with the city's Deputy Mayor for Youth and International Cooperation. 

Mr. Alain Cnudde, shared about the city to city cooperation between Cebu City and the Kortrijk. He said that part of the cooperation is the strengthening of the city government, administration and civil society. The partnership also aims to partake in the exchange of knowledge and experiences. In 2004, the mayor first visited Cebu and in 2005, the MOA that sealed the partnership between the 2 cities was signed. 

Listening to Stijn's introduction

After the talk, we spent some time in the carnival where Sir Karl and Kuya Russel treated Arge, Kuya Martin and I with Belgian fries and waffles, and surprisingly they offer big servings compared to what we have in the Philippines. 

Sir Karl, Kuya Russel and Arge enjoying the fries and waffles.

One picture before we eat everything!

After they were all fetched by their host families, Kuya Martin and I wandered around the city and then we just remembered that we forgot to tell our host where to pick us up. So we thought, we'd stay at the train station to be sure, and luckily Barbara fetched us there. Whew! Before going home, we went to the supermarket to buy some stuff. They paid 87 euros for goods that filled the car. It made me think how an 87 pesos is just enough for one meal in the Philippines. 

First rice meal in Belgium. Nomnomnom.

At home, we ate a very special Belgian dish (pork/meat wrapped in a tomato) with RICE! Yey! The perks of being hosted by a Pinoy! While having dinner we discussed about taxation in their country. Found out that they are taxed really high, reaching to almost 50% of their income, though it also gets lower the more children that they have. Since Barbara is pregnant, we asked her how they will take care of the baby since both of them are working. They told us that they have a daycare center in Kortrijk where they can leave their baby (should be 3 months old above), and just pick the baby after work. I found this way really convenient especially for parents who work hard for their family. The couple also told us how important it is to work in Belgium to survive. With my energy drained from the long walks and the sumptuous dinner, I was ready for a great sleep! Zzzzz.

YMX 3: Hello Belgium!

The Vos family :)

After having breakfast, Mrs. Vos told us to leave some of our things and just bring the stuff needed in Belgium so that we would not have to carry a lot of things, since we'll be back with them after 9 days. After packing my things, we were ready to go and we said our 'goodbye for the meantime' messages to Robin, to Mr. Vos and to the 3 fats cats.

Mrs. Vos then drove us to a Catholic Church where we will attend mass together with the whole delegation before traveling to Belgium. When we got to the church, we were told that the mass might take longer since the church is also celebrating the first communion of some young kids that day. 

Our bus to Belgium

Upon entering the church, there was yellow everywhere. Yellow ribbons, yellow balloons, yellow mass booklets and yellow flowers. I tried reading the booklet but everything was in Dutch so pfffff, I just stopped and observed the place. I'm not a Catholic so I'm not really sure how the mass would go. So I just followed everyone when they sing, when they stand, sit and when they kneel down. During the offering part, a host mother gave us euro coins, my first euro coins to give as offering. The mass ended with the kids officially partaking their first communion. We stayed outside the church then waited for the bus to be ready. While waiting, we did what we do best: taking pictures!

St. John's Church

The delegates with Ms. Ruby, Nanda and host parents

After all things were set, we hopped in the bus and the 3-hour travel to Belgium began! With us were Ms. Ruby, Josetta and Chiel. On our way, I read my debate handbooks and took pictures of several windmills that we passed by. Then, I fell asleep along the way. Zzzzzzzz. When I woke up, I stared at the window and saw this:

KORTRIJK!

Kortrijk Police Station

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by Kim, one of the delegates from MYX last year, as she was one of the organizers of the Belgium part of our trip. It was fairly cold in Kortrijk and they have smaller roads compared to Haarlemmermeer but the roads were still fully utilized. Again, I cant stop taking photos of everything! Kim said we were just in time for a carnival was currently in their city. I saw roller coasters and other fun stalls around the city. Then I wonder, how would I survive riding a roller coaster in a very cold place like Kortrijk, I will surely die. LOL.

So we went to the train station and that was where our host families will pick us up. When everyone started to leave with their respective hosts, Kuya Martin and I got more excited! We were the last ones picked up and to my surprise, we had a PINOY host! Yes, a Filipino who just got married to a Belgian, Sydney David and Barbara Callens-David. 

Roller coaster!!!!

On our way to our house, I found out that Sydney was a graduate from the same school where I am studying, the University of the Philippines.And it turned out that they just got back from their trip to the Philippines. We even saw their bags still unpacked when we arrived. 

At home, while Barbara was preparing for dinner, we spoke to each other in Tagalog, asking him how he got to Belgium, how he met Barbara and how hard living in Belgium is like. They are both surveyors, they usually survey the prices of products, houses and other things before people put it up for sale. They have a very nice house and we were brought by Barbara to the room next to them.

The train station

During dinner, we had sausages, potatoes and hot apple shake. Its my first time to try those but they were yummy. 

While eating, we talked about how the government supports almost everyone, including illegal immigrants, which Barbara thought could be at some times unfair.

They also shared how their city was planned and how the government really comes up with policies that will benefit every citizen in the city. 

Again, the sun went down at around 9 o'clock in the evening. I was still not used to it. It was very cold inside the room. The coolness in the room made it easier for me to get a good sleep.

My first picture in Belgium