Cool Annie's Travels
|
|
|
"There's no place like home, there's no place like home" There is some truth to Dorothy's prophetic statement! After 2 weeks living out of carry on luggage, washing clothes in our rented sinks and praising the good people of Tide for making travel packets...we were ready for clean underwear and a change of clothing options. Mark said at the beginning of our journey..."I hate first days"....referring to the adjustment to the new time zone! We felt like we'd pulled an all nighter at college yet we aren't that young anymore so our bounce back rate was seriously diminished. I, on the other hand, struggle with RENTRY! I guess it's a good thing we aren't both on the same schedule... Somehow the laundry (which we probably should have burned), the mail, the paying of bills, the cleaning of dog poo and pee on our carpets and the 4000 client emails...drove me under the covers. Mark powered thru... For 3 days our ability to form full sentences was challenged. It's a good thing we know each other well and could pick the meanings out of the air when this brain dead moments were upon us. At last...We are back. Yesterday...Mark gleefully said "keep those passports handy...Paris-Normandy in September".... I won't remind him..."he hates first days"! 
0 Comments
Cool search for Cools...Kortemark, Belgium My husband is a man of heritage and history. He has fond recollection of his Belgian Grand Father Joseph Cool. Mark probably earned his story telling techniques from this Patriarch. Many a story has been told of Joe Cools emigration to the states for a new life as a young man. He settled with other Belgians in Marshall Minnesota where the countryside resembles that of his homeland In Kortemark. He returned to Kortemark for his wife and Son once he was established ... In Marshall he raised six kids. Marks Dad among them. The last few days we've taken the train to Kortemark to find the graves of Grandpa Cools siblings and parents. It's Cool to be Cool here. Cool is a common name. Not a name that invokes goofy remarks or silly references. It's just plain Cool! There is a large family of Cools. Also Coolmans. I'm happy being a Cool, thanks. Public transportation is remarkable, even for the language impaired. I sit at these train stops and wonder what a different life it would be to be able to affordably travel by train in New England. The conductor rolled his eyes when we told him our destination. I guess few "tourist" venture to Kortemark. Once there, we found a restaurant on the square bustling with celebrants of Mothers Day. We stood waiting to be seated and a hush fell over the restaurant. Forks were laid on plates, ladies craned their necks to see, some women slapped their husbands to urge them to look up..."who are these people?"... The only English speaking employee, Dennis, approached us and told us "today was a day of reservation". (I think there is a whole other blog on that statement). "But we were ️welcome to sit on the patio. " As people left the restaurant they would nod and smile, men would touch the brim of their hats and nod... We realized we had just become the story. "Remember that Mother's Day when those two Americans had beer on the patio?" We met a lovely woman who took us to the cemetery. Mothers Day is a day of pilgrimage for this community. The cemetery was busy with fathers, sons and daughters visiting, planting and leaving gifts. We hoped for a Cool siting but no one appears. We found many descendants. Mark smartly called the cemetery archivist months ago for plot locations. Our next visit is with the town clerk who is said to enlighten us on his living descendants... Kortemark has lost its industry. It was once a town that had several breweries and canning companies...now all "shut". Like most countries in an economic shift, inexpensive foreign help has driven industry away from small town Belgium. Today.while our girlfriends Macy and Linda shop and enjoy Brugge, we treasure hunt the Cool history... Because it's Cool to be Cool in Kortemark!        Shoulda, woulda, coulda We moved off the barge this morning. Bitter sweet! There was so much that was wonderful about this trip. These strangers who became friends on a week long adventure...so many laughs😃! People who choose these kinds of holidays are a rare breed. Energized, optimistic, clever and joyous. After 320 KM on a bicycle seat and many evenings drinking with Humphrey...even the most positive folks start to "should" all over themselves! All the "shoulda-woulda-couldas" started flowing like the wine at the Captains Dinner! "I should a got in better shape" "I should a ridden all 6 days" "I should a learned the language" "I should a hit the ATM" "I should a done more laundry" (yes, I agree holding my nose) And the "shoulda-woulda-couldas" were breakfast condiments stirred by the invitation to fill out the review for the Boat and Bike company. I listened over coffee and confirmed...I don't like the word "should". Judgement! Judgement! Judgement! If I should myself I would be paralyzed in Judgement. I think my life has been motivated by "the little engine that could". No matter what the drawbacks life puts in my way... "I think I can, I think I can..." I have a host of shoulda s... But who cares! I thought I could ride 200 miles threw Holland even out of shape and over weight... So I did! I thought I could pay for the trip before we left America even tho the business was quiet and taxes were due...so I did! Oh all the things we wouldn't do because we are too busy should-ing ourselves from the things we can do! I think I can, I think I can... we left the barge yesterday....a sad day... If your fond of cycling and helmet hair Sweet winding canal paths both here and there You're sure to fall In love with jacks boat and bike tours If you like wind and rain in your face Sore knees and tooshies will surely be the case You're sure to fall in love with jacks boat and bike tours Winding paths with cows that moo at you Miles of cobbles that make your bum go "oooh" Raindrops falling in the afternoon Remind you that your rain gears back in your room If your knees are tired you'll want to drink With your pain med chaser, Most of us think You're sure to fall in love with jacks boat and bike tour! Well humphries been waiting alone at the bar He gets so excited when he sees Jack from afar.. Humphrie has fallen in love with Jacks boat and Bike tours.  we left the barge yesterday....a sad day... If your fond of cycling and helmet hair Sweet winding canal paths both here and there You're sure to fall In love with jacks boat and bike tours If you like wind and rain in your face Sore knees and tooshies will surely be the case You're sure to fall in love with jacks boat and bike tours Winding paths with cows that moo at you Miles of cobbles that make your bum go "oooh" Raindrops falling in the afternoon Remind you that your rain gears back in your room If your knees are tired you'll want to drink With your pain med chaser, Most of us think You're sure to fall in love with jacks boat and bike tour! Well humphries been waiting alone at the bar He gets so excited when he sees Jack from afar.. Humphrie has fallen in love with Jacks boat and Bike tours.  we left the barge yesterday....a sad day... If your fond of cycling and helmet hair Sweet winding canal paths both here and there You're sure to fall In love with jacks boat and bike tours If you like wind and rain in your face Sore knees and tooshies will surely be the case You're sure to fall in love with jacks boat and bike tours Winding paths with cows that moo at you Miles of cobbles that make your bum go "oooh" Raindrops falling in the afternoon Remind you that your rain gears back in your room If your knees are tired you'll want to drink With your pain med chaser, Most of us think You're sure to fall in love with jacks boat and bike tour! Well humphries been waiting alone at the bar He gets so excited when he sees Jack from afar.. Humphrie has fallen in love with Jacks boat and Bike tours. |
|
RSS Feed
