Terminus: Leuven

Having never kept a blog before, when I started this one I wasn't sure how it would go. I've never really been comfortable with the concept of sharing day-to-day personal reflections on the LiveJournal model - what would I say? Would I keep up with it? Despite a couple of big gaps I'm happy to say it has been kept up, and in the end has been a good way for me to process and digest the trip. I've been so thankful for everyone's messages and comments, thank you. A journey like this one is certainly one to be shared with a traveling companion (thank you Lauren) but also something which today can be shared with many more folks online. This wasn't possible in 2002 the last time I was traveling, or at least it was far more difficult.

The blog will remain at this address, of course - I won't take it down - but the updates will be more occasional. As we're frequently reminded by the university here, Leuven is 'at the heart of Europe', only a few hours from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, or by plane to most anywhere on the continent. Who knows how much I'll be able to take advantage of this, but when and if I do... expect a post!

Classes began only last Tuesday (9/23), but I've been here in Leuven for nearly a month, having arrived on 9/1. Coming in on the early-morning commuter train from Brussels, I dropped my bag in a locker at the Leuven HI hostel (very nice hostel!) and headed to the Int'l Housing office. As it turns out the situation wasn't quite so simple as I'd expected. They did indeed expect my arrival on that day, but no bright-eyed undergraduate was waiting to lead me through a series of rooms for rent. Instead, I was referred to a large hall containing four computers, two telephones, and (not all was lost) one bright-eyed undergraduate to address the inevitable difficulties I would have telecommunicating with landlords. It was left to me to sign in, search, get numbers, and make appointments.

At first, I was intimidated... but the process wasn't so hard as it seemed. In fact, perhaps due to providential intervention (there's no other explanation) within two hours I saw my first apartment. Sort of dumpy, I'm sorry to report, and a bit demoralizing. Is this all there was? Would I end up in a faded, sagging, unfortunately carpeted hovel three floors up from the kitchen and bathroom? In the end, it seems, I was led to this apt only to make the acquaintance of Eno, a fellow my age from Albania starting an MA in business administration. We are indeed an odd couple - me, somewhat reserved and increasingly retiring; he, a colorfully effervescent carnival of personality and soul. I've learned a lot from our times together. Patting me on the back as we left the apt, he said to me: 'George, my friend, we will find an apartment together'. 'Sure, I hope we can - but it's Jon' I replied tactfully, so as not to suggest undue annoyance at the innocent slip. 'Ah yes, Jon, of course ...' I'm happy to know Eno.

This is good, since we did indeed find an apartment together. After lunch, on that very first day, we went to see the apt in which we're both now living, just outside the ring. (The whole city of Leuven, more or less, is nestled inside the 'ring road', a circular four-lane byway. Streets that flow from center to periphery issue in 'poorts' - so Parkstraat becomes, at the ring, Parkpoort. Simple!) The house is university sponsored (which is very desirable - subsidized, clean, not sketchy) and has a theme: sustainability. Throughout the year it falls to us, Eno and I and the five other (mostly Belgian) folks with whom we share the space, to organize three public events for the university community on the theme of (probably environmental) sustainability. To this end, we have monthly house meetings, sometimes together with the other univ. theme house directly next door - on international development. The situation is ideal. Community, communication, sustainability. Within 36 hours of arriving in Leuven, all said and done, I'd signed for a room in this apt; within 48 hours I had moved in. Amazing!

This never happens, you know. It's usually far more difficult.

The time between my arrival and the start of classes was mostly spent pushing papers around city hall and the university office and at my bank, and exploring Brussels with a friend who came to visit from Ireland. The last week was packed with orientation events, really a very thorough process. We learned all about student employment, cycling regulations, how to divide and dispose of our garbage... The days were most useful, of course, as a time to meet other new students. Between these new acquaintances and the several wonderful people I met at the University Parish International Community (UPIC - English speaking Catholic parish), I'm happy to find myself in a cozy network of new connections.

An anecdote: I was out for a beer one evening with some fellows from aroudn the world: Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands, Brazil, Germany... One topic dominated our conversation: the US election. Did I really think Obama would win? They so hoped he would. After all, McCain was so similar to Bush, right? Or was he? What was my opinion? And what in the world did I make of Sarah Palin? Remember this, American friends, whatever your political inclination: the world is watching this election.

At that I'll bring this entry to a close. It'll be a busy term: I'm taking Dutch and French along with the usual spate of philosophy lectures. But this is true for all of us. Let's all be well, do good work, and keep in touch!

All the best,
Jon

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