This will be a very quick post, will have to be on the run in a few mins. for venice! :)
Genie 1 – Karina VerbruggenGenie 2- Chris BeekenGenie 3- Theo LambaertsGenie 3 – Ron VerbruggenGenie 4 – Olga Verbruggen
Anything we say or ask, they do! haha. Can anyone get luckier than this!? From treating us out to the finest restaurants, cooking us authentic Belgian meals, taking us to see most popular sites in Belgium to buying us all the food stuff we want! Haha. I ended up borrowing pants from Carina before leaving Belgium, could not fit in mine within the two days we were with them, they made me eat too much! BIG Thanks to them! haha.
But for now, I still want to talk about Belgium and how we were. We had the greatest time.
One of the highlights for me, is being on a photo shoot for a new born baby and being able to assist for one of Belgium's most famous photographers, Chris Beeken and Karina Verbruggen!
I am now on a 3-hour train ride for a two night visit in Brusells, Belgium. The view again, is overwhelming, an endless sea of snow covered pine trees, and beautiful landscapes. My mom and I have finally accomplished what we were mainly here for, Paperworld, 2010. I have to say, and very grateful, it was a success. All the sleepless nights, sacrifices, were definitely more than worth it! I am forever grateful to my family, who trusted me enough, that I too, can pull off such a feat; I never thought I could handle. And to my surprise, I enjoyed every bit of it, every second, and every breath! It felt like I finally found a place where I belong and I without a doubt saw it more as this extremely extraordinary celebration or better, Paperworld was this one big parade of opportunities.
Being with people from all over the world, the good relationships you gain, is one of the countless opportunities. I will miss, the CBI consultants, Yolanda, Leveine, Hans and Ires and their unbelievable support. I will miss our wonderful booth neighbors; Delia from El Salvador, Diego, Alex, Tatiana, Louis from Columbia, Christina, Yassin and Omar from Egypt, Not and Nat from Thailand, Angie and Monique from Peru, Anuj, Amit, Suma, Damani from India, Linda from Indonesia etc. In them I saw so much drive for greatness, dedication and strength, I surely love to acquire. But for sure, It’s certainly great to know that if someday, I’d find myself in their part of the world; I have them to count on to and vice versa.
All in all, the whole Paperworld experience, its effect on my entire being, to my soul especially, is just hard to explain. But for sure, it has definitely changed me in a million ways. For now, I’m just over flowing with everything that I learned or discovered. Seeing people from all over the world, fighting hard for their dreams, causes and their unbelievable drive and commitment to create all that is beautiful and everything about the word, from pens, journals, leather goods, bags to machines etc. is just awe inspiring! To simply define Paperworld, in it, is the entire world market, under one roof. You can imagine, the competition is just immeasurable. You can’t help but doubt, if at all you could still stand a chance. But, really, all anybody can do is to just let go, just have faith that someone out there, who needs what you have to offer, will eventually find you. And then you will realize, everyone will always have someone in the end, as long as you are patient and that you fight for it. To me, that is the essence of the entire experience and all the same in reality. With that, I can surely say, life is just sweet for certain.
I still so want to run back outside, and get lost in the streets of Frankfurt, while listening to Dave Matthews Band Songs. But for now, I am such a wimp to brave the piercing cold weather, so I'm stuck inside. oh well. But getting stuck in here, is also a good thing, it means I have all the time to blog away.
Looking like Teddy Bears after wearing layers and layers of winter clothing.
I've never ever imagined people could be this amazingly generous, sincere and humble all together! I thank God, we have met them, it makes me believe even more, that everything realllly happens for a reason. The way I see them, they are our angels. For sure our trip wouldn't be as smooth as this without at them or worse, i do not think we could ever afford to stay as long as we need to be, here at all. Their presence, has convinced me that angels are indeed here amongst us.
The Yangs brought me and mom out for a drive around and upto the outskirts of Frankfurt. The moment I stepped out of the building, my body shook like there was an earthquake inside me. Haha. Seriously. I didn't expect it was going to be that cold! The day was sunny! The snow or ice melted away and so I thought wearing a leather jacket would be enough. haha. Stupid! It wasn't. Turned out to be the complete opposite!
Outside the apartment of the Yangs, #50 Schulstrasse, Frankfurt Aim Germany. Trying to figure out the millions of directions written in that map and having no clue just yet, on how to go about our way to Frankfurt especially to Messe!That's where mom and I would need to go without the Yangs tomorrow, considering the couple will then be out for work.
Clueless Traveller
Two of my quick snap shots while on the road. Never seen trees this bald before or whatever way you want to call it! hahaha. But even so, it still looks both hauntingly beautiful and romantic! Didn't think that would be possible. Umm. basta. I'm sure you understand what I mean. It's just beautiful, still.
(Time's up! gotta get back to work on some stuff for paperworld! Tomorrow, then. :) )
We are very blessed and forever grateful for their kindness.