NATO, Brussels, and Trilingual Bums

I don't think the phrase "Melting Pot" does this place justice. This week has been a wild exploration of so many new thing. I was sitting on the subway when a homeless man of 35 years old boarded and began to approach each person asking what language they spoke. Then he proceeded to ask for money in the appropriate language (Dutch French English or whatever). I never thought I'd see that.

I awake each morning at 7:30, dress up like a "professional" and head to the corner where the white NATO shuttle passes. Upon arriving at the head quarters I pass through a first gate of security where I flash the badge that hangs around my neck to a group of guards. then upon entering the building, another gate asks me to slide a security card to access the innards of the building. The chic entrance of NATO looks more like a hotel lobby. Glass sliding doors and high-teck plasma screens create a very "international" ambiance. I then walk down the long main hall to where the US delegation is. I flash yet another badge (this time a state department one). Everyone has to empty their pockets of cells phone or any electronic device for such items are not allowed within the delegation. The US wing of NATO is the biggest and "best" at NATO (would our government let it be any other way?). I work in what is called Civil Emergency Planning (CEP). This branch of NATO is a body that coordinates efforts from the different ally nations to respond to man-made or natural hazards. I cannot even begin to explain how extensive the processes are that are involved in CEP's planning. It is a HUGE political game that is very SLOW and often contentious. Every nation has their idea of how it should work and the ideals clash. There is no soveriegn power in the internaional system, and therefore the decision making procedure is long and arduous. Within CEP there are 10 or so committees that take on various roles and responsibilities. My boss belongs to several of these including SCEPC (the senior council of CEP) so I sit in on a lot of these meeting. I wish I could snap a photo of how it works (though I would be shot if I did..I'm almost not kidding) It's so interesting! All the nations represented around giant oval table formation. Translators in the booth. There are so many aspects to this whole NATO thing that I would have never imagined. It is fascinating.

I've been exploring the city of Brussels. So full of old culture mixed into a modern concoction of Government buildings and businesses.

So much chocolate.
What a beautiful city



I got lucky and ran into a Musical Instrument Museum. 5 stories of the history of musical instruments. I loved that.




this is a double necked guitar. I had thought that Jimmy Page invented that idea. I guess not.



So it's been so good being here. Overwhelming and a bit lonely at times but I am happy overall. I am going to Italy in 10 days and I'll surely have photos and stories to share.

Until then,


Johnny

Accross the Sea--San Diego to Brussels

I flew out of LAX Thursday afternoon. With a mechanical delay of about an hour, and a 10 hour flight ahead of me I found myself very happy to be seated next to a very nice, outgoing, sarcastic lady from Pennsylvania. We talked as if we had been friends for 13 years. Then after an hour on the ground, ten more in the air and a crummy meal on the plane she slipped me some NyQuil, assuring me that is was way worth it...so I gave in, popped a pill and was out! I woke up at 11am London time just as the plane was landing. I thought I had it made having slept all that time. I had no idea what I was getting into.

After walking across Heathrow international airport (no less than 2 miles I swear) with literally 150 lbs of luggage I was beat. I got onto a tube only to find that the line on which I was traveling had "severe delays" so when it stopped



I got off on pulled a classic Johnny and stepped on to some random subway, the first one I saw..luckily this one led me directly to Parliament Square, exactly where I was planning on going to meet my friend Ruby. I had planned on leaving my luggage first at the house of where I was staying, but since I was on this train I decided to just take it with me.


So there I am lugging a bunch of bags in front of parliament. Then I arrived at the rendezvous point which was Westminster's Abby.

It was quite a day.
And those are some serious bags under my eyes.

This morning (Sunday) I got on a train and arrived here...finally, to Brussels Belgium. I am here with an American family that is hosting me for the next three months. They are very kind and I think these next few months will be great. Tomorrow morning I will be picked up to go to work at NATO headquarters.
I have to go to the embassy for State Department orientation on Tuesday. I really have now idea what its all going to be like.

I'll keep everyone updated.

Johnny

Week One--Wedding and Mexico

After two months of waiting for a US Government security clearance from NATO, I finally embarked on the adventure. I flew down to LAX on Friday the 12th of February. My plan was to take a shuttle to Laguna Hills, CA where I was to participate in the wedding of a friend from the mission. As the plane descended in to LA I over heard the man next to me saying that he would be renting a car and driving to San Diego. I swiftly used the skills I developed during my hitch-hiking experiences and asked the man for a ride south. He agreed and before I knew it I was in the rental car of 60 year-old Terry Potter (Great Name!), a Native of Grants Pass Oregon who had been on a plane only once in his life before this experience. He had a very funny vocabulary and was very kind.

Listen to the video to get a slice of the conversation.:




The wedding was in the San Diego Temple.

It was beautiful indeed.They asked me to play their wedding song on the guitar for their first dance.

It was a wondrous day. Between the wedding and the reception we all went to Laguna beach for a swim.



The next Day (Sunday) Some mission buddies and I slipped across the boarder for church in Tijuana. I then proceeded to visit old friends and converts form my time there.


















I hitch-hiked up to a far away area in the Hills in Rosarito to see a couple that I became very attached to, Juan and Laura. They are happy and progressing so much in life and in the church.














That evening I went to the beach where I used to baptize people. this time I swam.
























The Next day I took a bus to Mexicali and had a more fun visiting people I knew a long time ago. The Wong family lent me their car for the time I was there (as well as their food and their house).
After some time there I came here to San Diego with my Aunt and Uncle. Tomorrow (the 18th of Feb) I fly out of LAX straight to London where I will be for a day and then take a train to Brussels. It's been good so far and I am very excited to see what adventures come in Europe.

Until Next time,

Johnny