Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 19: Welcome to Belgium

Tuesday, 2010.

I checked the time on my watch, the time showed at 10 past 20 p.m.

“Traveling is difficult.” I let out a breath.

I was with Ryandi and the Belgian Grandpa Grandparents Couple on a morning flight from Jakarta to Doha, Qatar. After a four-hour break at the airport for 4 hours, we joined the boarding queue of a Qatari airline flight to Frankfrut. Since our documents are well organized, we do not face customs issues.  We then boarded an airport bus that transported us to a plane that would fly us to Frankfrut all night.

I turned my attention to the plane I could see passing through the window. Men and women in reflector jackets moved around them, pulling loads of cargo or shouting instructions. Some of the airport vehicles that I could not identify were also parked beside the plane.

“Are you two nervous?” Mr. Royce on my left checked. On his back was also a gigantic backpack that should not be carried by a man his age. I had offered to help her carry her luggage, but the old man refused.

“No.” Ryandi who was standing in front of us replied. He wore clothes and shoes that made him look like a singer rather than a football player. His white shoes were especially eye-catching on the dimly lit bus.

“Traveling by plane is much more convenient than taking a bus. I enjoyed the flight from Jakarta to Doha. The food is good.” Said adding.

“Do you often travel by plane before.” Sage asked.

“Yeah, only once a year. My dad takes us on vacation every new year. Last year we were in England. But this is my first time to Belgium.” Ryandi replied with a smile.

I chose not to engage in that conversation. I was a little embarrassed to express my fear to the group. Especially with Miss Sage's presence. The truth is I'm afraid to get on a plane. No matter how fancy the furniture is on the plane. It was never more than a giant metal tube flying in my opinion. The fact that this was my first trip out of the country also frightened me. I was afraid to think of being more than 30,000 feet off the ground. There are so many things that can go wrong at that height.

Even so, I really wanted to reach Brussels City. There I will finally begin my journey to become a professional soccer player in Europe. That was the only thing I dreamed of in my previous life. And now everything finally came true. That was the only thought that made me brave enough to endure the Long air journey.

“How about you, Ner?” Mr. Royce asked turning towards me.

“You nervous?”

“Well I don't like planes.” Answer me honestly.

“I just want this trip to end as soon as possible.”

“We'll get there. Don't worry.” Entertain Miss Sage while smiling sweetly at me. I just nodded and turned my eyes back to the window.

We spent the rest of our short trip on the bus in silence before boarding the plane. At 23:00 the plane took off and we finally began our journey to German Frankfrut.

I sat next to Ryandi in the seat closest to the window. Miss Sage and Mr.Thorgan are behind us. We boarded an economy class plane.

I feel better knowing that we're going to get on the plane. B-747, a jumbo jet. I've never heard a single word that this plane crashed en route to Europe in 2010 in its past. I ignored Ryandi who was watching a movie and forced himself to sleep. I woke up the next morning when the plane went down in Frankfrut.

We didn't spend much time at Frankfrut airport. With Mr. Thorgan's help, the two of us quickly passed through customs and immigration procedures at the airport. Within a short period of time, we were allowed to board another plane to Brussels, Belgium.

After a few hours we reached the Brussels airport in Belgium. I breathed a sigh of relief as the plane landed on the runway at Belgium's Brussels Airport after several hours of flight.

“How was the flight,” He asked

“Oke.” My answer.

“Exciting.” Ryandi laughs.

“It was great.” Mr. Thorgan smiled

“We have to get you guys settled in during the day. Let's go to customs soon.

We both followed Mr. Thorgan and Miss Sage and got off the plane immediately.

“Wah it's really cold.” I said as soon as we got out into the open air.

“Don't mind the weather.” Said Mr. Thorgan.

“You will get used to it soon.” He led the way down the stairs.

“I heard in winter, the temperature can drop to a minimum - 4 Degrees Celsius.” Ryandi said as she stuffed her scarf tightly against her neck.

“We will not hold a football match in such weather. Our season usually ends in early December.” Sage cut in as we continued to hitch our way across the airport runway.

It was 9am, one of the worst times for Indonesians to arrive in Northern Europe during the fall. I was attacked by a cold wind that cut my heavy jacket. I began to shiver a little before reaching the bottom of the flight ladder.

‘Come from Indonesia and step into Europe like coming down from warm Oven into Freezer.” I'm musing.

On this morning, the Brussels airport lounges were very quiet. People moved easily, rivers of quiet humanity just awoke from their slumber. The floor is clean and white reflects early light and artificial light.

Since our entourage had already gone through European immigration procedures in Frankfrut, we did not spend much time at the airport. We showed our travel documents and left the airport in just forty minutes.

A car picked us up from the airport and took us to the city. The city was not what I expected. I wish I could see skyscrapers like those in Hollywood movies around Brussels. Medieval buildings cover most of the city. Brussels itself is beautiful and charming with neat streets and unique urban architecture. The pavement is made of fine gray stone, held together with such precision that the joint is almost invisible. The buildings are nothing short of historical, the pride fortress of the city, branding its status as one of the eco-friendly cities on the planet. I noticed that there was no trash or dirt on the streets as we traveled through the city. The city is very clean compared to Jakarta or more especially Kembangan.

“We are in Parvis Street Gudule, Central Brussels. Look over there. It is the Cathedral of Saint-Michel. There is a football field around there where you can train in the future.” Miss Sage pointed to the medieval church building that stood firmly with its twin Towers. He appointed himself as the guide of the two boys.

“Nona Sage.” Call me

“Where will we stay?” that's my main concern right now.

“Lue Re student village Lorrain Brussels.” Sage replied with a smile.

“We're almost there. You will love this place.” He said smile at me.