November 30, 2009
OFFSIDE REMARKS
Getting your priorities straight on the road

By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- When you travel as much as I do, especially internationally, the first thing you look for is an electrical source to plug in your computer and other devices that need DC power.

I have an eight-hour layover here in the Belgian capital -- the plane got in at 7:21 a.m. Central Europe time -- so getting on line and communicating home is vital, even if it costs some $30 to do it. Like the punch line in that MasterCard commercial, it is priceless. Heck, you wouldn't be reading this story if I hadn't paid the king's ransom.

No complaining here. It had to be done.

I walked into the transfer area, which had shops trying to sell Belgian chocolate (what a surprise!), electronics, perfume, liquor, books and newspapers and ties. While there was plenty of seating, trying to find an electrical socket became an adventure. I finally found one in the upper level.

My wife Joy wanted to know if I was going to have some Belgian waffles at the airport. Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen. After looking at the restaurants in the transfer area, the selection is slim and there are a lot super-high carb and junk food, for the most part. But there is a Pizza Hut Express. Not exactly breakfast or luncheon of champions, but it should fill one's stomach.

Fortunately, I have packed some fruit and vegetables that will get me through part of the day, although I will have to succumb to the restaurant and find some quality food from the garbage they are selling.

I've had a lot of friends and family wanting to know if they could be my assistant on trips. Just remember I am here in the Brussels Airport, stuck in the transfer area. I can leave, but I would have to lug by carry-on bags through customs and immigration both ways (coming and going). I just don't have the energy or patience to do it, especially with that eight-hour layover.

Some glamorous life, indeed.

Next stop: Heathrow Airport just outside of London, as the Michael Lewis World Cup draw marathon to Cape Town continues. From there I go straight to South Africa.

I can't predict the condition my brain or body will be in when we land Tuesday morning, but I will be an extremely happy person knowing I will have a hotel room to call my own for several days.

Michael Lewis would like to hear from you. If you have a comment, drop him a line at email.