belgium grand prix
The Belgium GP was everything I was informed of and more! More people, more mud, more expense, more amazement, and more strange transportation logistics than I thought possible. The day started like any other, a trip to the local train station, confused looking locals perplexed at my ramblings, and the ever present 1 or 2 english speaking people who were on my wavelength. For the trip to the Francorchamps circuit in southern Belgium I came across a British father and son team, (with a Mercedes banner in hand) at a train platform and I tailed them from train to train like a shadowy sponge until I reached the circuit. Once at the circuit it all looked like it was going to shit. The Brazilian supporters had just gotten off the top of the train station to circuit bus (apparently being inside the bus wasnt 'Brazillian enough' for them), and it was foggy and raining. The 2km, 4€ bus ride to the circuit and the 4 person Brazillian boombox took its toll, and now I had no cash for a ticket and no money exchange was open, typical. As everyone trudged off in the rain towards the gates I did what any sane person would do, I entered the pub on the main street of Francorchamps and voiced my pains. 5 minutes later I was being shuttled to the circuit gate (which was a few km's off), with cash in hand and the pub hotel owners umbrella. Apparently the chap has a thing for Australians, and when he saw my passport it was like I was a mysterious god, a god from a land of kangaroos and gum leaves. The young chap driving the minivan weaved his way through the whordes of race goers, Lamborghini's and mud and dropped me off right at the gate. After that it was back to fending for ones self. I stood out in the rain, paid 3€ (5.50AU$) for tiny cans of coke or fosters (who the hell drinks that stuff) and did my best not to strangle 10yr olds with airhorns. The circuit was great, the cars looked great on a purpose built circuit and the local supporters, oh how they loved to urinate on the fences surrounding the circuit.
On the way back I dropped off the brolly at the pub, caught the bus to the train station and then came across a Sydney couple living in London who had come over for the race and tailed them back to Liege. It was nice having a bit of Australiana for a change, and it was hard to keep up with the conversation through lack of practice.. ugh.