Yesterday (Friday, 5/1) I hoped on the train that runs straight from the west-end of Belgium (Oostend, on the North Sea) to the east-end (Eupen, by the German border). I was on my way to visit the Henkens family for a nice little celebration of my host brother Michael's 25th birthday. It was so exciting to be back on the train, seeing the same countryside that I had passed so frequently back in 2000/2001 as an exchange student.

Liege is the halfway point between Brussels and Welkenraedt, where they live.