We’re in Brussels.

Here we are killing time backstage, testing out different looks and waiting to be led to the Traditional Belgian feast that had been promised to us.

Photo credit: Kenny.

Brussels street scene…

Finally, our feast! The first of quite a-many quiche.

The darkest time of day.

In the following episodes, we will present an anthology of our escapades, nation by nation, in our attempts to sop up every bit of these vibrant peoples, our forays into the cozier places, the darker hidden corners. There will be lots of sleeping; strange animals; strange women; weeping teenage boys; uncomfortable seats; breath; travel by air, water, and land; ancient history; I’m Lovin’ It; anarchists; alternative lifestyles; bridges; pagan symbolism; döner kebab; ferry-oke; jazz cigarettes & bubble baths, and more.

Arriving at Heathrow, H.G. hops a flight to Belfast, Ireland…

…but not before napping on a bench.

Belfast was a bit moist, but we slept well.

Our first meal: saag paneer and tikka masala in Dublin.

View from the bedroom window at Peter’s grandparents home.

Mancunian urban fashion displayed by these chicks.

Tongue comparison with other ex-pats.

A Belgian journalist mistakes us for the other Times New Viking from Columbus, OH.

The weather was unbelievably decent.

Back to London, third time in five days. Here we are seen transporting a female photographer from Texas.

We had begun to stock up on a bizarre assortment of foreign goods, similar in look and feel to things we have in the USA.

Cryogenic sights on the road…

En route to some reggae bar in Bristol.

I believe this happened there, too.

Up bright and early the following morning, looking crisp.

It was very colorful at this tropical beach paradise in Newcastle.

Anglo-style breakfast and then we’re off––straight back down to the country’s southern end.

Even Dale is tired today.

Brighton was quite delightful.

Things got a bit wonky that night after we began cavorting with an Americaner and all his London cohorts. This guy:

Cole, in man-heaven.

View from a window in Brighton.

Dale declares, “A success!”

The Bats prepare for the final battle in what has amounted to your garden-variety war between good and evil. But for tonight they will rest.

However, on the second day, there was scarcely a moment’s rest. In this series, the pressure these fine men feel is nearly palpable.

Aaron Sperkse.

Cole Marsden Greif-Neill.

Tim Koh.

Ariel Pink.

Genny Kilmore.

A few moments later, after a visit from the doc, the group loosens up a bit.

One thing is clear: it’s time to get nice, my friend.

Before they embark, one last session of the Kitchen Club will be held, on these very grounds, with what amounts to an harem of female guests—Taylor, Candice, Janet and Kathy.

The time is nigh. Now the real work begins.

The crowd awaits…

By the third day, the compatriots had arrived.

Jah Diamond & Reverend Green.,

Brian DeGraw.,

Ali K.,

Tennessee T. & Jennifer J.,

Kickball K.,

Farmer Dave Scher,

Trip & Geneva Jacuzzi,

and Genesis P-Orridge.