June 18, 2008, 9 AM, Brussels, Rue de l'Hôpital
Belgian farmers, truckers and taxi drivers are preparing for a strike due to Belgian's dire economic landscape: inflation is through the roof, spending power is far from catching up to the trend, food and fuel have turned into golden commodities and people basically feel unhappy and uncertain, which is understandable to say the very least.
Sitting in a closed parking lot, waiting for my Spanish colleague to arrive. The silence and a bit of ‘leisure’ time are more than welcome. The last few weeks have been very hectic and stressful. It feels as if a half year’s worth of work needs to be cramped into the last month prior to the summer break. I’m very much looking forward to July and August in the sense that they translate into open traffic, hopefully some nice weather and an opportunity to finally catch up on some open dossiers, which are now lingering on my desk simultaneously squeaking ‘me first, me first’. I’m starting to dream about binders, declarations and opinion pieces on two legs, sipping earl grey and nibbling biscuits while engaged in sophisticated conversation.
I need a break…
My doctor yesterday confirmed that my blood pressure is basically borderline lethal – which is something I’m well aware of, even without medical equipment – and advised me to “take it easy”.
I would love to “take it easy”, to switch off that ever droning voice in my head reminding me to do this, do that, don’t forget… Frankly, I sometimes wonder from which source my energy is still materialising. I’m extremely grateful to R., though, who keeps on supporting me and giving me valuable advice even though he has some tough nuts to crack himself.
It’s high time for a paradiso escape, a reality check, to prove that roaming this planet makes sense besides obliging to the work-eat-sleep regime, that there is room ‘out there’ for important things: seeing a bit (or preferably a lot) of the world, making a difference, however small, not always feeling the need to live up to the standards this society upholds… simply getting a good night’s sleep and enjoying our time together would already be a good starting point.
Enigma is tired, but she’ll try to fight it and turn some of this negative energy into a source of inspiration in an attempt to better her little piece of earthly landslide. Maybe a change of environment, a change of scenery, a change of culture and worldly perceptions would do her good. She will grasp the opportunity with both hands. Meanwhile, she thinks about R. and the two kitties that are probably causing havoc at home… and smiles. She’ll get through this, she’s a lucky wanderer!
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