Friends From Far Away

Today I had visitors from LEE'S SUMMIT! Sara and Jim Witteman came to visit Belgium for the week and they came to Liege to visit me. I tried my very best to be a good tour guide but my city isn't really the most tourist friendly place. Its an amazing place to live, but not exactly the top of anyone's top ten places to visit before you die lists. So I showed them around, we ate waffles, went into a cathedral that I had never been in before but walked by every single day, hung out with my friends and did a little shopping. Then I decided that since they were only going to be in Belgium a few days and we were already so close we needed to visit Maastrich for the rest of the day. Maastrich is in the Netherlands (Holland). So we hopped on the train, only thirty minutes away and spent the rest of the day there. We did some more shopping, took some great pictures, and ate really yummy Dutch food (pretty much the same as Belgian food). I really loved every single minute I got to spend with them. Its always nice to see a familiar face and to be able to show off my home. They might be my only visitors the entire time I am in Belgium. I hope not though.....

This past weekend was crazy busy for me. Friday night I had a Rotary activity with my host club. I served wine and beer at a theater show that was put on to raise money for several non=profit organizations that my Rotary club helps. I had a fun time being able to work with my youth exchange officer because he always gives me a hard time and I was finally able to show him that I can be a fast worker. After I helped serve people we ate a delicious cheese buffet with at least fifty different types of cheeses. I also got to meet one of my best friend's parents who were here to visit her. They were really nice. Audrey's sister came, too......and I got to see her Saturday too!

Saturday I went to Luxembourg the whole day with Rotary (nice transition into the next topic I know). We went to a ham house, yes, a ham house. They butcher and smoke ham. Then we ate it. So much for me being a vegetarian. Even though I was a little grossed out by the whole process, I always appreciate a new experience. After that we went to a tour of the city......which is essentially the entire country. It took about an hour. It was pretty cool. Then Saturday night I went to my friend Nicola's music concert....it was fun. I went with Belgian friends so I really had a fun time. After that I went to St. Jacques, my school to hang out with some friends. I had a lot of fun because I got to hang out with friends outside of the classroom. Belgian students study quite a bit, so when I get to see them outside their normal place, its very enjoyable. This weekend was so much fun......I can't wait for next weekend.