the north sea in belgium. rucina and the infamous frites (no, I couldn't handle them with mayo), horse cart in bruges, my friend and guide Isabella at the Chocoalte museum (where I inadvertantly left my pashmina!)

At the Brussels International School, I gave workshops in Topeng, Balinese dance, Kecak and Wayang.

Michel and Kunang in front of the Town Hall where they were married over 20 years ago!
Rucina and Kunang in Paris.

Paris!!!! A delight. Sunny and blue skies yesterday. Michel and Kunang are taking great care of me--I sleep on their couch and walk their neighborhood again and again. They live close to the Seine and the Louvre (which I saw today--amazing). Here are a few fotos....the closest i got to Le Eiffel taken from the POmpideu Centre. A frozen dog on the streets and Kunang and moi.

Am in Brussels but can't find a WiFi place for my Mac so can't upload photos.
Day Three of teaching Middle and Senior High School kids Balinese dance, maskwork, puppetry and kecak. Weather is cold and crisp and quite sunny.
The city is a bustling one, lots of young people sitting out in bars and cafes all day and night. Hear French and Flemish everywhere and of course, loads of tourists.
Am about to go see Second City do a show here at the Int'l School.

I shocked a true Belgian the other day by asking if one could order regular tap water at a restauarnt. AT A RESTAURANT? she looked at me in wonder....i thot I had said something horrible and then asked a Canadian: What kind of water do yOU drink in your restos? Tap she replied. I guess us North Americans are just kinda gauche. and cheap.

Happy Galungan to all who celebrate it. Strange not to be surrounded by penjors....

on the boat to dinner and at dinner with mark and liz

Mark at his soon to be new home in Lugano.
Godmother Liz Linden with Adam Weingard.
Mark with Adam

in this tiny bar in Gent, Isabella and I tried Jenever, which they said is from gin, i think it must be from juniper berries. only a few places are allowed to sell it (the real thing)--we had a berry one (they come in shot glasses). you can see how i deal with the cold weather (thanks to sue winski for the jacket!)

Isabella and I went to the Mosquito Coast cafe in Gent. Funky decor, great food (NO CHEESE at last!) Thanks for showing me around Gent, Isabella!

i fell asleep on my way out of Milan to Brussels on the plane and when I woke up THIS is what i saw!

Images of Gent, Belgium

This is Ana Zaragoza and son David in front of one of her paintings.
She's a fantastic painter, no?

ever seen a massage chair? you sit in it and it will pummel away at your aches and pains. i think we need one for the office!

this one is at mark's house in lugano....

At a presentation in Lausanne about YKIP, I also got everyone up to do a little Balinese dance. Christophe decided to put on the "French tourist" mask with his glasses!

In Lausanne, walking up the wooden steps to the Cathedral, Lene and I stopped off at a small bar-cafe for a croissant and hot chocolate, that is so thick one has to eat it with a spoon!
the town from the cathedral.

In Lugano, a small outdoor cafe on a very spring like day. everyone is outside drinking expressos and here a man sells polenta out of a huge pot (reminded me of the bubur sellers back home)

Mark took Liz and I on a boat to a lovely little rustic restaurant on the lake. After a stupendous home cooked Sicilian meal, we ordered Zaglionale (sp?) and apple strudel. This is one of the few places that has a white merlot!
it also has a funny menu.

strange things for me in a swiss supermarket.
magnifying glass to read prices and a water fountain!

the cathedral in Lausanne

teaching fifth graders in Lausanne

Hanging out with Luca the dog (I walked him every morning) and Liz Linden.
Mark took us for dinner at a small restaurant across the lake. we took a night boat taxi there and it was amazing (and good food as well!)