Yesterday, I took the family out to to see the steam engines. I don’t take them out much, but when I do…

We had a great time. And my son — a major Thomas & Friends fan — didn’t stop smiling all day. That was well worth the 10 euro price of admission.

The event was in Maldegem. We drove from Drongen up the E40 toward Brugges. The ride was about 30 minutes and both kids were fast asleep the entire time. Ahh… zen.

On to the steam engines: These things are much louder and smellier and dirtier than I imagined. And yes, I have spent time imagining what it would have been like taking a steam train into work very day. Now, I take the electric trains, which are reasonably quiet and clean.

At one point, my wife pointed out all the little black particles (not really sure what they were, maybe bits of coal or some byproduct from the steam) scattered on her and our daughter — sort of like steam engine dandruff you could say. I felt like a real bad dad for a bit. My poor daughter is only a few months old and here we are! Sprinkling her with coal jimmies.

For the love of all things Holy. Gas prices here in Belgium would make any SUV owner in the US jump off a bridge. Or at least buy a bike.

I just filled my tank last night for the first time since moving to Belgium. 70 Euro.  S-e-v-e-n-t-y! In USD, we’re talking $110.00. Imagine the riots in LA. The extreme-commuters would disappear. People would be forced to take the bus! *gasp*

You might be wondering why last night was the first fill-up here in Belgium (I’ve been living here now since December 22, and my car has been here since February). The fact is, with the company car, I haven’t used the Rabbit so much. Just to get me to the train station (just a few km away) on rainy and super-cold days. So, after a few months of that, I finally needed to re-fuel.

As a matter of fact, the last time I filled my tank, it cost me about $30.00. And I did it back in December!

The moral is to keep using the company car and park the Rabbit. A lot.