acemi is abroad

Since a few weeks we, residents of Brussels, enjoy lovely sunny weather especially at the weekend. I don't mean to complain but stink of urine on sidewalk or at the entrence/exit of a subway station ruins the light feeling of walking in the sun. Could we have a little bit of rain, during the week maybe? Please!

Kaiser Chiefs - Oh my God

2 weeks ago I traveled over an ocean for the first time in my life, whole trip let me experience firsts of my life. I spent 2 weeks in Sunshine State, Florida, USA for a business trip. I was lucky enough to stay in Miami South Beach at the weekend and to see a dear friend of mine who flew down to Florida from Atlanta to meet me. Stories of firsts will come soon but in the mean time you can check my photos from Florida here.

I don't remember having a nice new year's eve so far, except one in 2004 I think. This year I had a lot of fun but self-sacrificing was unavoidable at the same time.

My 3 friends working in Bonn, 2 Portugues and 1 Turkish, decided to come to Brussels for partying on Monday. The deal was closed, I was responsible for food and they were for drinks. After having dinner and couple of bottles of wine we took off to interns' party around 11.30. We didn't leave my flat mate alone who didn't have any hope to enjoy the night but I think at the end he was the one who was having most fun We went to the station to take tram which goes to the house where the party was taking place and we got on the first one. The line was correct but later on we realised that particular tram changed its route and we were on the wrong way. It was almost 12 as we got on the correct one and we had to accept the inevitable, celebrating new year in a train We opened our bottle of cava, Spanish sparkling wine, and the truck was bounced with holler of "Bonne année!" I couldn't photograph this odd and funny moment because I forgot my camera at home I've thought I should not have kept it in drawer after I forgot to take it today again and decided that I haven't forgotten it because I've been tipsy

For me party was finished at around 2.30, although we left at 5, as a friend started vomiting and it lasted for one hour. I was guarding him against people who wanted to use the bathroom and trying to comfort him. As he fell asleep on the couch I could take a rest sitting silently. After wasting half an hour to find a taxi we could arrive home at 6 am. Streets were still full with people and I could hear people shouting even at 9 am.

What do you think my 2008 would be like? Will I have fun, will I be busy with taking care of other people, will I be able to sleep enough? Anyhow I think I had a good start and I'm sure I won't complain being tired as long as I'm happy with whatever I'm doing.

Since one month I was either busy non-stop or had no internet connection. But at last I could settle down in Brussels this week. I'm sick today (it's the time for my annual flu), so I have to stay at home and can finally write to my blog.

My last days in Bonn were very busy and quite stressful. I've got my Belgian visa 2 days before my German residence permit expired because of late received documents. I had to fly to Berlin just for this visa but it was a big relief to have my passport back with a Schengen visa. I'm glad I could see Berlin in Christmas time and walk around in beautiful Christmas markets there.

One day before going to Berlin I had my farewell party in the office with another colleague leaving and in my last night in Germany I went out partying in Cologne with interns in Bonn. I went to the best club I've ever been in Cologne, I'm glad an intern took us there.

On next day we could manage not to miss the train to Brussels with a colleague of mine who was driving me to Cologne and my nomad life for 3 weeks has started. First 2 weeks I rented a room in an AIESECers apartment and I had a lot of fun as sharing the flat with him. In the mean time my buddy from AIESEC found me a room in city centre and I decided to take it but I had to wait until I can move in. On third week I stayed in a friend's place who I know through some other friends and on last Friday I could move to my flat. My plan B was to stay in Antwerp in my friend's house and I'm very glad that I didn't have to apply this plan, because of 3 hours ride to and from work everyday.

Now I'm living in perfect location for going out but it takes long time to go to work and it's rather loud at night. I'm nevermore happy here and experiencing sharing a flat for the first time.

Since I'm settled down you can stay tuned for my new adventures

It is very difficult to write about a trip that I did 7 weeks ago but I should not blame no one else than myself. Will do my best and try to remember lazy moments under the sun in one of my favorite cities.

Visiting friends in Vienna turned out to be a very relaxing holiday. My friend planned to go to Naschmarkt to walk around, do some grocery shopping and having lunch. There I was impressed with Vienneses as we were waiting for our food about half an hour. Not the waiting impressed me but some beautifully dressed men and women. Living in Germany for several months has such an effect, you forget fashion and start to admire cities with stylish people, although you never cared so much about what you wear.
At another table two men were talking loud but I couldn't understand anything, I wasn't even sure whether they speak German. Yes they were speaking German but with a very heavy viennese accent. It's still a very strange feeling not to be able to understand Austrians as they speak to each other.

After lunch my poor friend had walk hours with me to show the city. I refused to take tram just because I like walking to see more from the city and the weather was just lovely. We didn't go to many of tourist attractions like Schönbrunn Palace or Hundertwasserhaus in that I saw them in my previous visits. Photos of this walking tour are here.


In second day first we visited my friend's sister in her new appartment. Seeing it made me feel like living in Vienna in an appartment with high ceilings, big windows and huge rooms just like that one.

Our last destination was a hill close to city centre, don't ask me it's name, to drink a glass of red juicy Sturm (Federweisser in German). It's one the most delicious alcoholic drinks I ever had *yummy*

Next day it was time to hit the road again and this time to Bratislava.