Belgium...Chocolate, Freedom, and Sustainability
My experiences touring Belgium as a freedom activist and tourist
If you’re unaware of who I am or why the heck I’m writing a substack about Belgium, scroll down to the bottom and you’ll see an ‘about me’ section.
Shortcut to helpful links/resources in this article;
100% organic fresh produce found in Aarschot - email Ward guldentop23veldwinkel@gmail.com
‘Good vibes’ community group events - Click here
't Hof bySONder - a freedom-loving community facility in Mechelen.
Childrens Health Defense - Europe Chapter
It was Friday 16th June 2023 when I embarked on a 6-hour drive from Western France to Aarschot, Belgium. Yes, it’s funny to sound that word out in English :-)
This was the first drive in my newly purpose-built sleeping minivan. You can see photos of my setup in my first Substack ‘Don’t mess with the French’.
And here’s a video proving I did something to help make my van a ‘sleeping van’ :-)
The first 2 hours in the blistering sun were fine because the air conditioning was working like a charm. I stopped at what I thought was a ‘service center’ and was shocked to see unmanned coffee and pizza machines. I thought…’oh no, don’t tell me this is what I have to look forward to all over Europe’.
After this disappointing stop, I turned my car back on and the air conditioner mysteriously stopped working. I spent ages trying to figure it out with no success. It was over 30°C and I had a 4-hour drive left. Luckily, I have a sunroof to help with airflow. I sighed and thought…’ Oh well, that’s life’.
When road-tripping, you need plenty of extra time for toilet and rest breaks. I stupidly thought a 6-hour drive would take me 6 hours, of course, it doesn’t. I arrived at the event 1 hour late :-( A few people had to leave but most of them patiently waited and were understanding.
This is what I arrived to see; a group of happy, smiling, kind, and warm freedom lovers. It really doesn’t get better than this…for me anyway! Aarschot was only my third event. The first 2 were in France. I had to pinch myself that I could arrive in a town in Belgium and be welcomed by this many people who took time out of their evening to meet me. Honestly, I literally do pinch myself sometimes. I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
We had a lovely evening inspiring and empowering each other. The fun continued when I followed Ward home to what he calls a ‘micro-farm’. I slept in my van outside his house. This was my first night sleeping in the newly constructed bed and using the homemade curtains my last host in France helped me make. I noticed a few things that needed changing, but that’s all part of the journey.
Ward has a micro-farm is in Aarschot and lives almost entirely from his own produce. He is an example of someone walking the walk not just talking the talk. He is almost entirely OUT OF THE SYSTEM and hasn’t been grocery shopping for 6 months…he’s very inspirational!
His only source of income is selling the weekly harvest every Saturday morning. ALL ORGANIC and made with LOVE.
If you live close enough to buy from him, I urge you to. Not just for Ward, but for your own health! Bring the kids, see the farm, and buy amazing produce…it’s a win/win/win.
From Ward…
On Monica's mission to strenghten communities of freedom fighters, we were honored to have her presence in our 'good vibes' movement.
We, as small scale vegetable farmers, sent her back on the road trough Europe with some healthy organic food.
When living in the area of Leuven/Aarschot, you might want to come and get here your weekly basket straight from the field.
We are ready!
Mechelen, Belgium
My next event was in Mechelen on Sunday 18th June. On my way was the first time I’d seen this notification come up on Apple Maps.
What the heck! My map voice told me…’make sure you have the necessary requirements to be able to travel in this area’. I scoffed and laughed…”yeah good luck finding me to send me the fine…I’ll drive where I want”.
Anyway, that aside, I attended the event on Sunday morning. There were about 20 people there, but I forgot to take a picture of the group. Amber, who I did remember to get a picture with, had organized other speakers as well. The venue itself was incredible. If every freedom community had a center like this available to them, we would be kicking more goals.
From Amber
't Hof bySONder is a 'bysondere' aka special garden (Hof) in the center of the city of Mechelen. We started building our community nurturing a new way of living in 2019 - long before COVID.
We currently have;
A Boutique Bysonder - sharing & experiencing store - where tastings are organised to get acquainted with our #local, #artisanal, #circular, #culinar and #fairtrade products.
A nursery for food forest crops; held together by volunteers who water, plant, seed, feed, and love our different food crops.
A multi-functional space; where we organize readings, presentations, movie nights, workshops, and training on different topics. We mostly focus on a healthy and nourishing way of life in connection with other like-minded people.
As part of the holistic health network NGO, SAMENZORG, we are upgrading 't Hof bySONder towards a healthy house for healthy people (gezondheidshouse) as compared to the sickhouses currently known ;-)
Interested, please contact us, we are ready to expand!
Children’s Health Defense Europe - Sign up for newsletter / Telegram
They have dedicated telegram channels in French and Dutch.
So that was the freedom family aspect of my trip to Belgium, but I can’t finish this substack without sharing my other experiences.
I don’t usually indulge in chocolate, or waffles, or fries for that matter, but when in Belgium, one must try them! This was in Antwerp. Check out the several containers with liquid chocolate…there was double that! You could go for the seconds and thirds. Needless to say, I had my fair share of chocolate that day :-)
I stayed one night in Amsterdam with a friend and then went to stay with Catherine Austin Fitts for three days. One of the best experiences of my life. I will write about that in my next substack…so be sure to subscribe. I learned so much from her.
Until then, enjoy this ‘blond moment video’ where I wasted 4 hours driving in the wrong direction :-(
This video explains my story quickly and clearly
In short…I have been on the front line of Australia’s freedom movement since August 2020 when I founded ‘Reignite Democracy Australia’.
I hit the international stage after spending 22 days in prison for refusing to sign draconian bail conditions after being charged with incitement. My ‘crime’ was publishing an anti-lockdown protest poster on social media. Yes, you read that correctly.
I recently toured Europe for five months, meeting with as many freedom lovers, groups, and organizations as possible. I will now write a Substack for every country I visit. The mission is to showcase links and explanations so locals can connect too.
I run global campaigns and projects See projects here.
I still have a large database and I'm here to help. Contact me to plan an event, have a meeting, or interview. contact@monicasmit.com
Great stack of surprises.!
... also got my book in the mail yesterday, whooppee...!
Go for it bonnie lassie..! <3
Ha ha, the driving in the wrong direction, cracked me up! Oops, but also, you're 100% correct, there was NOTHING that could change that, so might as well laugh!