Brussels Wonderland

From wonder into wonder existence opens

Lao Tzu

I made it to Brussels today five hours overdue thanks to American Airlines and mechanical failure. What a mistake I made in not flying Continental. It wasn't so much the mechanical failure as the way they treated us during the time we had to wait. As a friend who frequently flies Continental said, "It's like comparing Wal-Mart service to Nordstrom's service". Once I arrived and settled in (fantastic guest house), I went in search of the Christmas Market. The smells; hot chocolate, hot spiced wine and various pastries came wafting towards me before I even found the Market. There was so much to see it was almost overwhelming, but I caught a few shots.

I'll share more tomorrow when I'm more caught up on sleep (I've been up about 24 hours with little sleep).

Winter Wonderland Girls, "Winter Wonderland":

Time To

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
George Elliot

People are surprised to find out that we have fall in Northern California. Where I live because they planted so many trees, we even have a feel of New England fall for a couple of weeks. This tree is right outside my condo so I feel a bit of the weather, even though it's been between 70 to 80 degrees the last week.

I'm getting ready to leave for Brussels, London and Paris next Saturday. I'm running around trying to get everything I need, looking at some of my final plans. That is planning to do some things, but leaving enough open space for things to occur. I should have some WiFi access so I'm planning on doing some posting. We'll see.

I just cannot believe it's almost time to say goodbye both to 2008 and to go on my trip.

Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli, "Time to Say Goodbye":

Calling

As I approach the clearing, I recognize this place
Kate Price

It's been a long 5 weeks. The longest I've gone without photographing, blogging or just keeping in close contact with some of the people in my life. Things started to shift the last few weeks. I've changed to full time work, confronted some family over long over due issues and just took time to consider my path. And now, I am getting ready to leave for Europe in a little under two weeks.

I'm glad I've taken some time away from things. I can hear a calling to a new place in life. It's been trying to get my attention for awhile and now I'm on the path. Where the calling is leading I'm not sure. But I'm feeling confident on the path in a way I haven't felt in awhile. Some how I'm coming home. It's good to be going.

Kate Price, "Calling Me Home":