Something is missing

Well I am in Brussels, but I can't say the same for my luggage. Before I dive in there, let me share some more details on Monaco.

I have to say, it was really something to wake up every morning to dozens of yachts on the Mediterranean. It was absolutely beautiful. Every day, when I walked to the conference location, I walked along the water. It was really quite a view.

On Wednesday night, my work duties were over and the conference treated us to a 007 themed event, with an open air concert, lots of food, and a little 007 show. My colleague and I also had the opportunity to super-impose our faces and live out our 007 dreams.

This morning I hopped a helicopter...yes, a helicopter to Nice from Monaco. Oddly enough, the helicopter was cheaper, faster, and generally more efficient than a cab. That is, not where my luggage was concerned. I checked my bag when I arrived at the Heli Airport and it was supposed to go all the way to Brussels. However, when I arrived in Brussels, my bag was no where to be found. Honestly, I wasn't really surprised, because it wouldn't be a trip if something didn't go wrong.

I went to the Brussels Airways desk and made my complaint. Oddly enough, even though my bag was tagged and marked, they couldn't tell me where my bag was. All they could say was that it wasn't scanned in Brussels...huh, really? No kidding.

I'm not confident I'll see my bag any time soon. The attendant said he thinks it will arrive in Brussels tomorrow morning, but how can he really know when he doesn't even know where my bag is? Thankfully, since I lost my bag in Orlando, I've learned my lesson and I keep all my essentials in my carry-on: makeup, contact solution, underwear, and my toothbrush. Although I should remind myself next time to include an actual hairbrush - I won't be looking so pretty tomorrow morning.

So after realizing I had no bag, I did manage to find the train station in the airport and get myself to the Brussels Central station. And then I sort of struggled finding my hotel. I had saved directions on my cell phone, but without internet access, it was hard to tell where I was really. The streets aren't marked as nicely as they are in other countries. So I just started following signs to the Grand Place, which I knew was close to my hotel. I managed to find it, although I will be honest, I wasn't sure if it was REALLY the Grand Place. But it was very big...very place like...and lots of people were there, so I assume I found it. Yet, I didn't know where my hotel was in relation to the Place, just that it was close by.

I eventually asked a waiter who was at an outside cafe and he directed me perfectly to my hotel - which is quite nice by the way.

I had planned to go for a run tonight, but without my bag, I'm stuck. Although I probably should go tour Brurssels, I have to admit, I'm plain exhausted. I plan to take a shower and hang out in my hotel room tonight. Tomorrow I head to Bruges and Ghent on a tour. Saturday I spend here in the city and I'm off to Luxembourg on Sunday.

Until next time, please pray for my bag's safe and quick return!