A slightly overdue post about my trip to Flanders in July/August. I spent a week of nights sleeping on a mattress on the floor of a school classroom in Oostende, and days filled with music making, socialising, discussing and getting to know some of the best people I've ever met.
Ethno is a worldwide organisation dedicated to bringing young musicians together from dozens of countries, in order to share, teach and learn each others' musical and cultural traditions.
I participated in Ethno Sweden three summers ago and was so keen to get back to another in my summer holiday this year. It was slightly daunting heading to Ethno Flanders alone, not really knowing if I would know any of the people there (it turned out I did know a couple already), but also really refreshing. I got there completely by train which was slightly lengthy but really fun, and I found it a lot less stressful than flying.
I intended to document my trip as fully as possible in photos, but turns out I was having too much fun as I didn't end up taking many at all. Sometimes that's the best way.
Pianos available for public performances in St Pancras Station
Hundreds of bikes lined up outside a station
Our playground/workshop space
The church outside my classroom/bedroom window
A windy evening on the beach
Violins
Afternoon sun and beers and Dranouter Festival
Dancing in Ghent after our concert
