Cultural Activities in Bruxelles

                                                                                                                              20 November 2011


Dear family and friends,

     The days seems to be flying by, and here we are in the heart of the Fall season, with all of its beauty and crispness in the air.  From what we have been told of Bruxelles, we are grateful that most of our days this Fall  have had some sun, and very little rain.  We marvel as we look down on Square Ambiorix, which the workers keep immaculate, blowing the leaves at least weekly from the beautiful green grass, and trimming the hedges.  The leaves on the tall trees have turned to brilliant hues of orange, yellow and red, and have shed half of their growth.  It is interesting to view them from above.  The smaller trees surrounding the square are almost bare, but because their branches have been tied one to another, they appear to be holding hands with the tree next to them, which now mostly bare, almost looks like a giant fence in the air surrounding the park.

    When I leave from the apartment each weekday morning at 7:45 a.m. to walk three blocks to the gym (which opens at 8:30, but they let me in at 8:00 for a half hour of being the only one there), I jog down the eight flights of stairs before stepping out into the cool morning air wearing my hat and gloves and with my nose tucked down into the top of my jacket.  I am always amazed at that time of the morning that the sidewalks are filled with dads and moms pushing strollers destined for the local day care, and the people waiting for their particular bus number to take them to their jobs.  It appears that little children are put on the regular buses to take them to school.   A much different scene than you would find in America, unless you live in the heart of a big city.

   

The photos below were taken as we were on one of the outings sponsored by our Relief Society.   I appreciate their efforts as it gets us out, and it is fun to meet together and to get out and take advantage of the many cultural activities that Bruxelles offers.  On this particular day we toured the Museum of Music, which displayed every instrument that was ever conceived, and along the way a twenty minute concert, which gave us a chance to sit down and rest our weary feet.  

              

                      

                                                            The Music Museum

Next, we crossed the street and went into a modern art museum, which featured one artist exclusively, whose work was a little bizarre to us, so we breezed through as quickly as possible.  Next door to that one, was the beautiful Bruxelles Museum of Art, which housed all of the Masters, and was really quite magnificent!

  

Bruxelles Museum of Art

                                                 This Reubens painting was magnificent!!!

My dear friend Karen Robinson in Virginia gave me a book to read just before leaving, on the life of William Tyndale, who dedicated his short life to translating the Latin Bible into English, so that the common man could read it for themselves.  The sacrificies that he made in order to do this were incredible, and he was finally apprehended and burned at the stake just outside of Bruxelles.  This monument to him was in a rather insignificant place off the beaten path, which made us kind of sad, because of his incredible sacrifice to bring forth this important record that has blessed all of our lives.

The name of the book about his life is "Fire in the Bones" by S. Michael Wilcox, and well worth reading.  Our friend Lee Groberg, whose Legacy Films Foundation board we sit on, has put this story into film, calling it "The Fires of Faith".  We are working on including a short clip of this film to be shown at the Church's visitor center in London during the Olympics next year, and flying Lee over to introduce it.   

We later learned that the monument's original home was in the town square, but was removed for road work, and then never returned to that small place of prominence.  

 

   On this particular Saturday we were exploring an area out in the countryside where Napoleon fought and lost the Battle of Waterloo.  Just down the street we found a very quaint barn like inn, that our friends Debbie (Marriott) and husband Ron Harrison had recommended, and loved to frequent while he was serving as Mission President in Bruxelles, when we were serving in Hungary.  It was a lovely setting and we will have to take you there when we visit Waterloo.

                                                    
                                             THE BEST VISITING TEACHER EVER!

    This is my wonderful and adorable friend Rebecca Bertz, who is from Switerland, and is my visiting teacher.  She lives quite far from me out in the countryside, but takes her harp lessons just a few blocks down the road from us.  She is probably one of the sweetest and most generous women I know.  She doesn't visit me just once a month, at the end of the month, but will stop by at least twice, or whenever she is in the area.  She is truly one of the most positive people that I have ever met!!!  And each time she comes, she is bearing gifts of fruits and vegetables!    She reminds me of the children's book "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" because she is always so cheerful!                                     

                       Just an example of her generosity!!!

Several weeks ago, a very talented member of our ward whose name is Claude, and serves on the public affairs committee here,
made special arrangements to rent a movie theater and show "17 Miracles".  This is the incredible story of the Willie Handcart Company, and the unbelieveable sufferings they had in trying to walk to Zion, having imigrated from England after they had joined the Church.  Some of you saw it with us when we were last in Salt Lake.   It is a real tear jerker!  If you have not seen this film, please take the opportunity to do so when possible. 

We had a good turnout with about 150, almost filling the small theater on a Saturday morning.  My cute friend Rebecca had ridden her bicycle for an hour from her home in the country, to downtown Bruxelles to attend, because her car was not driveable because of a broken mirror.  And in a skirt and high heeled boots no less!!!!!  I love her!!

On a totally different note, several weeks ago David received a beautiful engraved invitation from an important colleague that he had recently met with, to attend a special service in his Catholic church, where a Cardinal from America was visiting.  Since one of our assignments at the European Union is to work on religious freedom and tolerance, we were pleased with the opportunity to attend.  I must say that it was a most interesting experience.  First of all, it was just a miracle that we finally found the cathedral, which was hidden in a very nice neighborhood, and we must have stopped and asked at least six people if they knew the whereabouts of this church!!!  Most of them did not speak English or German, so we would drive on until we saw someone else out walking their dog that morning, and asked them.  Eventually we found it!   

 Upon arriving, the parking was nonexistant, and so being the gentleman that he is (pay attention boys) he dropped me off so I could race into the church, considering we had about ten minutes before the service began.  I was surprised as I entered the cathedral that the seating was very limited, and many were standing at the back hoping to see the Cardinal.  Luckily I was clutching my engraved invitation at my chest when I entered the cathedral. A priest saw me (whom I later learned was the VIP in charge that day and was wearing long black robes and a blue cape) and glanced at my invitation, and then ushered me right up front, where there had appeared to be no seats at all!!

It was quite a different experience to find oneself in a cathedral Sunday morning, with all of the pomp and circumstance and pagentry that you can imagine!  But that was all overshadowed by the GRAND entrance of the Cardinal wearing a red tafetta cape that had at least a 20 foot train trailing behind him, that was carried at the end by a young alter boy.

While the Cathedral was old, ornate and beautiful, I was most struck at the obvious devotion and reverance of the people who attended the service.  And my thoughts were, that these were people of faith were worshipping in the only way they knew.   

 

 

 

 

 

When we left the church we came across this restaurant just around the corner with a beautiful mossaic sign, named "La Roseraie", which was most appropriate.

Interesting days, interestring experiences, with many more adventures in the future

Love and blessings to all.

Darelyn and David
aka mom and dad

A DAY IN ANCIENT BELGIUM

     On our blog today we will take you visually to "Bruges the Magnificent....Where Time Stopped". 

      Perhaps one of the most famous and beloved places in Belgium is the old city of Bruges, located about an hour's drive from Bruxelles and is one of the most heavily visited tourist sites in Belgium.  It is referred to as a  "Pompei" or a "Brigadoon", and  is a beautiful medieval village whose facade has been preserved since it began back in the 1300's.  Today, it appears unaltered from its former splender. To me it almost seems like the Venice of  Belgium.

   For a little of its history....Bruges in medieval times, was the greatest trading center in northern Europe, a multinational marketplace for importing and exporting of textiles, spices, herrings and wine, plus every variety of goods.  Traders flocked to this city renowned for its glitter and importance. Times change and in the 1500's Belgium was engulfed in religious wars and persecutions. Cathloic nuns, priests, monks and friars all fled to Bruges for safety, building many churches and accomodations which survive to this day. The economy of Europe changed during the the 17th and 18th centuries bypassing Bruges, however, in the 19th century wise souls forbade tampering with the facades of Bruges. A revival of tourism followed and Bruges became a do-not-miss destination which it has remained to this day!

    The purpose for our visit was to not only see this city arrested in time, but to also visit the "College of Europe" where David attended attend a two day conference on the "Challenges Facing the 21st Century Diplomat" in late October. These international meetings bring together diplomats and scholars from around the world and are a wonderful venue for making significant contacts. On this occasion he met Professor Peter Balazs, former Hungarian foreign minister, who now teaches at the Central European University in Budapest; Gerhard Sabathil, director of the new EU External Action Service (their foreign service equivalent), Professor Alan Henrickson, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, USA; Gregor Worchnagg, former ambassador of Austria and now director of the Austrian Employer Association; and Dr. Thomas Zeltner, professor of public health at Harvard and former minster of health and welfare in Switzerland.  

                                              
                                    Fascinating architecture and roof lines, and not a bad looking diplomat!

This scene was taken just a few doors down from the College of Europe where David attended his meetings.  On a return trip we look forward to a boat ride amidst the swimming swans,  and also a carriage

ride...who wants to join us? 

 

                        The old city of Bruge is charming, but not as charming as my companion says David!

                       Just happened to catch this shot as these cyclists stopped to regroup. Bicycles are        everywhere in Belgium and the preferred mode of transportation for many.

On the Belgium coast looking out on the North Sea



                                  To all our future visitors we promise a visit to "Bruges the Magnificent"!

EVERYDAY LIVING IN BRUSSELS

Hello Again!

   It amazes us how quickly one adapts to new surroundings.  Each day that goes by we become more accustomed to the area and our environment.  Tasks that I thought were almost impossible before, are now becoming a little easier.  It took me several weeks before I would even dare drive in this crazy road system. 

      My first solo at the wheel in Europe was on our last trip to Dusseldorf.  I figured what the heck...no wagon wheel roads of Brussels, no round abouts.....just keep going straight!!!  (More on that later).  I have progressed now to where I actually was able to drive to and from Cora, Brussel's version of Super Walmart.  Only once did I almost take the freeway in the wrong direction!  But thanks to my trustee sidekick, I was able to avoid that fiasco!!

    Our first trip to the Cora grocery store lasted three hours!  It's an adventure trying to get there...then you have to navigate the underground parking garage.......make sure you have your bags to put the groceries in when you are finished....  figure out that the grocery cart is not going to unlock no matter how hard you pull on it... until you put a coin in the slot!! 

     Once you have the cart and go inside, you are tantilized with the smell of freshly baked Belgian waffles for sale, with every topping imaginable!  These delectable morsels are truly a staple here in Brussels, and they sell them everywhere, even in the subway!!  Once passing that temptation, you look left....and zounds!!....in order to get to the upper level where the store is located, you have to navigate one escalator going up and one coming down!!!!  The thought immediately crosses your mind of how on earth  are you going to hold onto that cart while going up the escalators!!!!  We had no idea!  Well, "when in Rome".....so we just took a leap of faith and pushed our cart on like everybody else was doing!  Much to our amazement, as soon as the back wheels hit the stairs, they immediately locked in place and the stairs remained flat, making it a hands free effort!!!!  Amazing!

Look!  No hands!!

                          It took all that time to fill these three cute bags that we always keep in the car!

This is actually the car key, about the size of a credit card.  Weird!

                  One of the stalls at our local market each Friday, this one specializing in African fruits

   If I had to say what Europeans specialize in......it would have to be bread!!!  They literaly believe that bread IS the staff of life!!!  The section of bread shown in the photo, is only one of several.  Once you make your selection you can either put it under your armpit unwrapped and walk away, or the more dignified method is to..... remove your desired loaf from the bin.... find the bag whose number matches the bread bin from which you took it... put the loaf into the slicer.... figure out how to start the slicer...then by holding the sliced bread together with your two hands, hoping that it won't fall apart in the process....lift the bread carefully so it doesn't fall apart, up to a metal plate and then slide the cut bread into the bag!!!

                                                                   So many choices!!!

My first attempt to slice my bread in this machine!!

Spent a wonderful afternoon touring the antique markets of Brussels and ended up buying a much needed table to put in our kitchen!  The one we use now is actually a table from the church, I'm sure, that a teacher would use for her lesson.  Since we have a long and narrow galley kitchen, it was hard to find something that would fit.  Who knew that I would find the perfect marble top black iron base table here.  I love it!!  I also picked up some great old baskets that were used to put hoed potatoes from the field, and picked fruits in.  They were absolutely filthy, but a few minutes of hosing them down in the shower did the trick!  They now adorn the tops of my kitchen cabinets and look great! 

While walking the streets of the antique district, we ran into this charming fellow who was only too happy to have his picture snapped as he cleaned the oysters for consumption!

                                                     
         Our ward meets just one street behind this castle looking building, which used to be one of the old gates through which people would enter into the city.  On this particular beautiful day we were beginning our visit to the antique district of Brussels.  We always wondered where it was...and all the time it was a stone's throw from the old building that houses our chapel.

        Soon after our arrival in Brussels, we made two back to back trips to Frankfurt to meet with the Office of General Counsel and the Area Presidency,  where we discussed our vision and plans for an "Ambassador Outreach Program" in Brussels.   They were collectively astounded and excited about the fresh ideas that we presented, and which we will be implementing  during our service here, with their approval.  We were told that the First Presidency desires that we reach out to the highest levels of the diplomatic community, and seek to bring the Church out of obscurity, and further the cause of religious freedom and human rights, in every appropriate way in government, academic and social settings.  It sounds exciting!!

    The week following our last Frankfurt trip, we were invited to travel to Dusseldorf, Germany, to meet with Elder Frerich Goerts, a recently released Area Seventy, with whom we will be working on EU matters.   This was a special pleasure for us, because David had been an exchange student to Dusseldorf while in High School with the American Field Service Program (AFS). 

     The timing for this trip was perfect since Hella, David's "German sister", was visiting Dusseldorf from her home in the Canary Islands.  Also, another sister Monica, whose daughter Ursula stayed with us in Virginia many years ago, was also there.  David had literally not seen these girls for over fifty years!  What a reunion!!  Joining us, was Barbara, the daughter of Ernst Petzold, the brother in the family.  The first thing that Barbara exclaimed when we met, was how well she remembered the visits in Heidelberg with Paige and Heather and their dad when they were young girls!  She especially remembered that Paige wore American blue jeans....and that she could play "Heart and Soul" on the piano with one finger!!  She was so impressed!

     Our first stop in Dusseldorf was to visit the "Koenigsalle", which is the "Champs-Elysees" of Germany, and exhibits the most concentrated wealth and designer shops that we have ever seen along this grand boulevard.   It was a beautiful summer day, and after weeks of rain, the Germans were out in mass! 
Upon the recommendation from a very smart looking woman sitting at a street cafe,  we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at "Cafe Heinamann", which seemed to be a very popular place judging from the autographed photos on the wall.     In order to find this cafe, David was not bashful in getting the Cartier door guard inside the store, to unlock the door for him so that he could ask him for directions to this restaurant.  So funny!  He didn't realize until after I told him, what door he had knocked on! 

    (Please forgive my being a computer novice....the "Cartier" photo was here at one time, but somehow it got moved to the end...and I can't get it to go back where it belongs!!!  Wo is Me!!)           

Cafe Heinamann

Pictured below is the restaurant where we had dinner with the Petzolds

This is what we saw from our hotel window.  Evidently the Germans buy a tiny plot of land

and build these cottages and plant gardens.  They don't sleep there, they just pretend that they live in the country for a day, but it is right downtown!     

With Hella and Monica

I have to explain this photo.  We had taken the bus (our favorite mode of transportation here because you can see where you are going, unlike the metro), and when we return it drops us off literally at our front door!!!!  Anyway, we had just bought bags full of the most beautiful white mums for our apartment.   The bus was packed, but we found a seat facing this rather "large" elderly woman who filled the two seats facing us.  Her stoic facial expressions left no doubt that she didn't think we were very cool with all this stuff!  Well, in trying to manage these bags, we started giggleing because we were like sardines in a can with all these bags!  And all be darned, little by little our seat mate's face started to "crack" a little...and then finally a tiny smile as she scooted over just a little and gestured that I could rest one of my bags at her side. And then the rest of the ride you could tell that she was trying her best not to laugh!! Isn't it wonderful to think you have brought a little ray of sunshine and fun into someone's life!!

     Well that's it for tonight!  We send our love to our family and all of our dear friends from around the world, and want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers each day.  May we all never hesitate to share the glad news of the gospel, and bring this joy into another's life!!!!!

 Blessings,

The Petersons in Brussels

August Adventures in Belgium, Germany and......

                  Part of the "Rocky Mountain Strings" group from Salt Lake City touring in Brussels


          This photo was taken after a concert given by the "Rocky Mountain Strings" group from Salt Lake City, who were on tour in Belgium, and then were joining with a simular group in Brussels for workshops and exchanges.  The group consisted of about 25 young musicians playing either the viola or the violin.  Their ages ranged from about eight to sixteen.  Earlier that morning in our sacrament meeting, this group was seated at the front of the chapel throughout the meeting, and then  played the closing song, "Be Still My Soul".

      Having played the violin myself as a youth for several years I was nervous, that with so many young musicians, as to how they would sound.  I know that the violin can produce either painful or pleasurable sounds! When they began the closing song, I held my breath and waited for the screeching to begin.  However, the sound that came forth from their instruments was truly celestial, and touched my soul!!

      When Dad bore his testimony that morning and introduced us on our first fast Sunday, he referred to the young musicians seated before him, and commented that they were about the same number and size of our grandchildren that we had just left behind in Florida.

      That evening this group gave a musical fireside in the Brussels 2nd ward, and the chapel was packed with members and investigators.    At this performance the group was very animated as they played songs from "West Side Story", "Sound of Music" etc., with some country thrown into the mix, and with actions to match!
It was a very delightful evening, and as they boarded their bus, they agreed to pose for this photo.

 
                          
                     

                           Our visit to the Bruxelles Royal Palace with our ward Relief Society Sisters
                                                         

Our Distinguished Escort

       Last week we enjoyed a wonderful tour of the Royal Palace with our Relief Society sisters.  We were escorted by a very dashing and distinguished gentleman in a dark blue suit and purple tie.  Evidently the Palace is opened for free tours to the public for just two weeks in August.  Otherwise you pay!

       Although our group was small, (last week we had 30 in Relief Society, and for the lesson they split for english and french speaking) they represented members from USA, Russia, France, Belgium and the Philipines.  The sister on the right is our relief society president Robin Keesling, whose husband is in Iraq for a year.  Robin assisted with picking us up at the airport along with Elder and Sister Hall.  The cars here are so small, that two cars are needed (or was it because they had heard that the Petersons would have five large suitcases)!!  My guess is that my reputation preceded us!   

      As you can see from the beautiful photos that follow, the palace decor is typical of the grandeur in which the Royalty lived in those days.  I have never seen so many huge chandeliers in one ballroom!  Having a beautiful one of my own in Virginia, my first thought was the hours and weeks it must take to clean them!!!  




                                 
                        Countries represented here are USA, Russia, France, Belgium and the Philipines

Can't you just imagine the grand balls they must have had, and the women in beautiful gowns, with skirts    swirling to the music!  It must have been magical!!!



Our EU Diplomat



                                       Dr. Peterson arrives at the European Union in Bruxelles




                          Europe Area Presidency and Legal Counsel Offices in Frankfurt Germany

 
        Our next adventure took us to Frankfurt, Germany, about a four and a half hour drive from Bruxelles, that is unless you take the wrong exit, and then you can add another hour and a half!  We finally gave up on "Gypsy", our GPS, as the directions she gave us were taking us in circles!!!  She put us back on the freeway three times, when we knew that was not right!  Although we WERE in Frankfurt, it took us that much extra time to find our hotel!!  Talk about frustrating and confusing!!!  We'll see if we can do better as we go to Frankfurt again tomorrow, the 16th of August, 2011.

        Our trip last week was to meet with the European Area Legal Counsel, to go over the agenda for meetings this week with the European Area Presidency.  You kids may remember that Elders Tobler, Rasband and Jensen were in the Area Presidency when we were in Hungary.  Kind of interesting to see where they all used to hang out!!

        As we visited the offices there, we met several folks that we knew previously only through email and phone calls.  I was able to meet our area doctor, who turned out to be the brother of our long time friend Swen Swenson, whom we knew in the singles ward in D.C. so many years ago when we were all at GW.  I believe that John dated or knew Swen's daughter in Hawaii.  Before even knowing the doctor's name...I knew that he had to be Swen's brother, because they looked so much alike!!   As a former mission president's wife whose job it was to oversee the health and well being of all our missionaries, I became very well acquainted with our doctor in the area office.

      As I was visiting with Dr. Swenson, someone came in to tell me that there was a sister from Hungary in the foyer with your father, who needed to leave, but wanted to see me!     I couldn't imagine who that might be.  So I hurried out, and there stood a sister missionary with her companion, doing an exchange with another companionship.  I was not sure who she was, until she told me her name was Sister Bognar, and that she was from the Kecskemet Branch.  She said that when we presided in Hungary, that she was only eleven years old, but that she had never forgotten us!!!  And then she paid us the nicest complement by saying that "all of the members in Hungary still remember and talk about you".  Ohhhh, be still my heart.  Those sweet Hungarian saints.

                                                                Our cute Sister Bognar


       Following a group luncheon at an Indian Restaurant, we left for our return to Bruxelles.  Everything was going just fine, until we came to a fork in the road at Liege, Belgium.  We went right, when we should have gone left!  We knew we were on the wrong road when we passed a sign saying........."Welcome to Nederland"!!!  OOPS!!!!  Well, we enjoyed a late afternoon drive through the beautiful and pristine Dutch countryside, looking for a way to return to the freeway and Bruxelles!!  We asked one Dutch family out for a walk, if they could help us find the road to Bruxelles.   They had a good laugh... which did not make us feel any better, and then sent us on our way to ask again.  The countryside was so peaceful and beautiful, and we soon came upon a lovely country road that was lined with tall trees.  It was so beautiful that we stopped for a photo, and all be darned, the police pulled right in front of us..... to offer their assistance, thank goodness!   They laughed too when we told them we were trying to get to Bruxelles!!!!  Well, the happy ending is, that we finally arrived home safe and sound, although exhausted!

                                                                  
 
                             We send our love to our wonderful family and all our dear friends

                                            Mom and Dad ........Darelyn and David