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Right about this time next Wednesday, we’ll be on a train to Brussels Airport. After a night of probably very little sleep, we’ll catch an early flight to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam. A mere couple of hours later, we’ll be on our way to Buenos Aires, via Saõ Paulo. We should be arriving in Argentina’s capitol on Friday at around 1:15 am local time.

I’m a little nervous at the prospect of having to spend 13+ hours in areas where you’re not allowed to smoke, but I’m hoping that, between my iPod’s reservoir of music, crossword puzzle magazines, and my pack of Nicorette chewing gum, I’ll pull through. It’s been 24 years since I last boarded a plane (I was a kid at the time!) so that should give you some indication as to my current level of adrenaline.

I’ll be bringing my pens, ink, sketchbooks and obiquitous digital camera along, aiming to capture some of the country’s spirit. Don’t expect much updates for the coming 30 days here though. I reckon we’ll be too busy trying not to get robbed/raped/kidnapped for any online activity to occur (That’s a joke, mom — gimme that smile!). But stay tuned: I shall be reporting come early January.

Hasta la vista!

If you know your Spanish, this one might just make you laugh and cry at the same time. In fact it might make you laugh and cry at the same time, even if you don’t know your Spanish.

Yesterday Gaby and I and a couple of friends of ours took a day long trip to visit the multitude of World War I monuments, museums, cemeteries and memorial sites that are scattered around in the part of Belgium where we live. It was an impressive confrontation with a past which is still very much alive in a way. The weather was gorgeous, and many pictures were taken. The one above (click to enlarge) was taken by Gaby and I think it’s absolutely stunning. Not because I’m in it mind you. The whole composition, the light, the mild surrealism it emits, the story it hints at, are what struck me about this picture.