#5 BELGIUM

Leaving Brittany, Entering Belgium

After leaving St Brieuc in Brittany (NW France) I head north east to Belgium. I stop in Brussels for an overnight stay at a youth Hostel. Even though I would like to see some of the highlights of this fascinating city I have no time. I must hurry on because I am expected at La Ferme du Bois-le-Comte. I have agreed to volunteer at this center for the next month.

It is a place of peace, space, warmth, and lots of pure unspoiled nature. I experience fresh and unpolluted air, clear spring water, fragrant flowers and forests, marvelous star studded night skies and, most of all, heavenly silence. What a lovely change from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

I am looking forward to my time here in this peaceful oasis in the open countryside. Guests come here for classes and instruction in different areas (self-improvement, yoga, spiritual growth, etc.) and the volunteers are here to work in the kitchen and/or garden. All food is fresh, organic and the meals are vegetarian or vegan. I have grown used to eating the vegan way and am very comfortable with it.

I choose to work in the kitchen instead of the garden. Not just because I am interested in the cooking methods . . . because it's just too darn HOT to work in the garden!

Kitchen workers help to prepare the meals, serve them and clean up after them, 3 times a day for anywhere between 25 to 72 guests. And this is done without a lot of the convenience appliances I am used to (such as a dishwasher!)

that's me in the apron

The number of volunteers varies with the number of guests but I find that the average stay for volunteers is 1-2 weeks. Which explains why I get a lot of raised eyebrows when I explain I'm volunteering for a month. I soon find out why.

Up until now my experience with WWOOFing and volunteering has been at places that require working 5-6 hours a day for 5 days a week. Come to find out at THIS center we are expected to work 7 days a week for at least 7 hours a day (which often turns into 9-10 hrs). Then after we've worked 7 days we are allowed one day off. (Lesson #1: always research carefully to determine what days and hours are expected before you commit)

Let me tell you folks, I can't remember when I've ever worked so hard for so many hours. The only saving grace was the fact that I was working with other volunteers that were working as hard as I was and we worked as a team. I met some very fine people there and don't regret the fact that I stuck it out for a month. The friendships I made will last a lifetime.

My first 'free day' finally came around and I headed off into the forest. I had been told about a short-cut through the woods to reach an Abby where the Trappist Monks make their famous Orval Beer and cheesesand I wanted to see the Abbey and the historic ruins around it.

While trekking through the forest I immediately felt the elation of having nothing but nature all around me. It was SO silent. Not even the sound of birds or buzzing insects. If it hadn't been so absolutely beautiful it would have been eerie. I could just hear the slight sound of my own breathing.

I took my time on that hike and stopped often just to experience unspoiled nature. After about 45 minutes I emerged at the Abby and was able to spend some time there in the ruins and museum.

I stopped for a cup of tea at a small cafe on the grounds and then it began to rain. (Lesson #2: always bring an umbrella wherever you go)

The rain came down harder and harder and I had more and more cups of tea to wait it out. Finally it let up enough for me to start walking back into the woods. The trees were thick enough to shelter me from the rain for awhile but when it started to really pour I had to face the fact that I was going to be thoroughly drenched.

Back at the Center there were times when I could grab a few minutes out of the kitchen to interact with the other volunteers or some of the guests. The guests, many non-English speaking, quickly remembered my name when I explained my name was "share-all" and they laughed delightedly.

Despite the language barrier I was able to teach 2 Dutch children the basics of how to play the piano and their father was pleased to hear them 'performing' their little songs after supper each evening.

One of the volunteers had brought her harp with her to practice and we got together for practice sessions after the breakfast dishes were done each morning.

When my time at the Center was finished I was really anxious to go. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the surroundings and the people, I looked forward to an easier schedule and maybe a little rest.

This came about with an invitation from the harpist - Rita - who was leaving the same time I was. She invited me to stay for a few days at her home in Antwerp, Belgium which was on the way to The Netherlands where I was headed to spend time with my very good friend Rineke and her family. So Rita and I, and my backpack, and my suitcase, and her suitcase, and her HARP all boarded a series of 3 trains that took us to Antwerp. People stepped out of the way when they saw us coming!

Holland will be coming up next . . .