Travel (B)log 4

From Alte Kirche, we were to head to Cologne, Germany. We received word that the Pastor’s Mother-in-law passed away the day before we were to arrive, so we headed to Cologne to see the city, and then returned to Stuttgart, this time to stay at KM’s office. It made for a few extra hours’ travel, but also a helpful night’s lodging for free, as they have rooms, a bathroom (called Water Closet in the countries we visited,) and a kitchen. Also, it was neat to get to visit their office.

Cologne is a busy, medium-big city, and offered an interesting contrast; it is known as much for its fashion as for the Cologne Cathedral, described by Wikipedia (yeah) as a World Heritage Site, as well as ‘one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany.’ How interesting, the varying dynamics by which we live!
We left Cologne, slept and ate in Stuttgart and, following breakfast, made our way to Belgium. Holiday weekend traffic turned our 5 hour drive into 9, giving us all an opportunity to get some more rest, process everything we had already learned, get to know each other better and develop greater appreciation and justification for having to pay to use the gas station restrooms (nearly every one!) We arrived to a missions hostel in Brussels, Belgium; a structure almost as beautiful as its caretakers, and after settling in to our rooms gave our legs and minds a chance to explore our first exposures to this particular area of the new country and its suburban sidewalks, the buildings attached to them, and the lives the buildings accommodated. What a beautiful city.





In the morning we had the opportunity to hear from the owners and their involvement with the Belgian Evangelical Mission. Though originally from South Africa, they have lived and served at the hostel for the last 17 years, and have found a home in this effort. I cannot forget the quiet attention from the husband, Barry, as he asked and listened with intent sincerity about our travels, or his wife, Corinne, who so naturally, and with no less sincerity, welcomes her guests with smiles and hugs flowing with an abiding, combined Mother-Aunt-Grandma love. Who knows how many others have come their way and received this same focus, how long they have fixed and drank tea for themselves and guests and listened, how many people they will hug for the last time, with no less love than the ones they gave to the group before that.

As per Barry’s suggestion, we got a chance to explore his favorite, the city center, that afternoon, where we came across not only distinguished older structures, chocolate shops and waffle stands, but also… Belgian fries! I really got to try them! Though the most common topping comes in the shape and shade of a less-than-shapely white blob, (mayonnaise?) they also offer options like ketchup, mustard, and a group favorite, curry ketchup. It is absolutely as good as it sounds.