Antwerp, here we come!

The carefully prepared daytrip to Antwerp was a success, despite the fact that we started out late. At 7.40 a.m., when I was about to leave my apartment to meet M.H. at the bus stop, she called me on the phone to say that she was running late. Her dog, a King Charles Cavalier, which is getting on in years and suffering from diabetes, needs an insulin shot every morning and evening. On that particular day, the poor little fellow hadn’t been very cooperative, and had hidden under the sideboard when M.H. was trying to administer the medication.

Luckily the bus to the airport was late too … and we did make it after all, with ample time to spare to catch the 9 o’clock Airport Express to Antwerp. The ride to the airport was very pleasant and surprising, because the bus took an unexpected route through the office and workshop district of ‘Sabena Techniques’ where my father used to work from 1950 till his early retirement in 1980. I know that area rather well, because on special occasions, like my birthday, my father used to take me to visit the workshops where the Sabena airplanes were being serviced. At the time the whole area was off-limits for unauthorized personnel and it was a real treat for an 8 or 10 year-old to be allowed to climb into the cockpit of a Boeing and sit in the commander’s seat. Happy days!

When we arrived in the underground bus station, there was no Airport Express coach to been seen. The wait was very short though, as hardly five minutes later a shiny blue coach pulled up by the platform. It was carrying a dozen of passengers from Antwerp who quickly got out, collected their luggage and hurried off to catch their plane. It was only half past eight, and we still had half an hour to go before the scheduled departure time. We considered going into the airport to have a coffee while we were waiting. However, when we saw other people boarding the bus, we dutifully followed them.

As soon as the last passengers had taken their seat, the driver closed the doors and sped out of the station. It was only twenty to nine!! By the time we got onto the motorway and saw the dense traffic coming into Brussels we realized that we were on the eight o’clock bus that had been delayed on its way in.

Antwerp Central Train Station. The exterior is 19th century but the inside has been renovated recently. It's all modern and light, with a lot of steel and glass. No photos, sorry ...

Our ride was very smooth and comfortable. In the suburbs of Antwerp we saw some beautiful Art Nouveau city houses and large contemporary villas with neatly kept gardens. This was clearly a very prosperous district. The bus dropped us off at Antwerp’s Central Train Station, which is located next to the Zoo. While we were walking towards the entrance, four of our colleagues came out of the station.

So we were six to arrive at the same time. Inside we were greeted by more colleagues who were already sipping coffee or orange juice. There were delicious mini croissants, chocolate, cream and sugar cakes to nibble. The room started filling up nicely when more and more people, alone or in small groups began to arrive. There was the usual kissing and hugging – a custom in Belgium among colleagues – which may seem very peculiar to you. I’m saying this because, when I was visiting my friends in the UK last July, I mentioned this custom to them, and they were very surprised, dare I say even slightly shocked. Does this surprise or shock you?

On the stroke of ten, we were requested to move to the adjacent conference room, where we were to spend the rest of the morning for the academic, ex-cathedra part of the day.

Outside we could here the sounds of the animals calling us to pay them a visit soon ...