Cycling to Belgium

Each of us tell stories and often we forget them until a memory gets sparked.

I told this story recently and thought it worthy of capturing.

When I was in my early twenties I was living in Germany. I had a nice job and nice life. I was sharing a flat with 3 others and I was living close to my boyfriend (now husband), so we saw each other daily. We had a super bunch of friends, many of whom we are stil very close with, yet somehow I wanted more.

My job was not what I had hoped and I needed new pastures. After taking a few months of French lessons, I decided I wanted to lived in France. Paris was my first thought, but after discussing with my boyfriend, we decided Brussels would be a better choice, as they still speak French there and it was much closer so we could still see each other regulary.

So without much planning, I decided to move. I had very few things, so after handing in my notice on the flat and my job, it was just a case of packing a few bags. I was ready to go.

It seemed so easy.

I remember getting on the train with my bike and heading two hours to Brussels. Looking back how terrible my planning was. I had no job, no where to stay and actually no information on Brussels at all. So little information that I did not know which train stop to get out at - Brussels North Central or South. I had no idea. Yet none of this phased me, I am a born adventurer and this ambuiguity was exciting and not scary. I knew I could work it all out.

That night and the next I stayed in a youth hostel, and then I found a room with a woman and a few cats. It was cheap, nice enough and central. After trailing round a few job agencies within a week I had a temp job as a receptionist and two weeks later I landed another temp job in an office where I ended up staying for 7 years.

I never went back to Germany and my boyfriend moved to Belgium. The rest is history, however this story reminded me of the spirit of adventure that drove me and the courage to leave amazing things behind on the pursuit of more. It was a wonderful life decision.

So what stories do you have that remind you of your strengths, what adventures have you been on that tell the listener about choices you have made. Do tell.......