So...Seattle held an unexpected surprise that ties in nicely with my plans for Leuven. The REI flagship store is there! The Columbia store is not bad either. So I managed to score a really big, sturdy duffel bag at REI for $93 USD including tax. I already tried it out...I can fit all of my clothes in it! REI sells its own duffel bags for half the price, but they don't have a flat bottom, which I feel can make packing a lot easier.
I also found the perfect jacket for Belgium. It is super light but completely waterproof, and I can wear three layers under it. And I learned outdoor goods stores make a distinction between water repellent and waterproof. Water repellent is actually more expensive....go figure.
I just forgot one thing: gloves! It totally slipped my mind...I've got a couple pairs already, but none that I'm completely happy with. And I couldn't find any waterproof boots, since they are only displaying their summer line at the moment. However, the jacket and duffel are awesome!
On to more boring but important things. I finally got my degree from UDEM. Almost a year later. And they'd had it sitting there since February! But this is really good, I was afraid I wouldn't get it in time, as KULeuven requires one show original high school and university diplomas upon registration as a Master student.
Next up, documents I need to get here in Monterrey before having them translated, legalized, and sent to the Embassy in Mexico City (I know writing this might be useless, but if only 1 person stumbles upon this info when they need it, I know their work will be a lot lighter and less scary):
- A letter stating I don't have a criminal record. This can only be obtained at:
- Calle Profesor J. Cantú García, esq. c/ 4a. Avenida
Colonia Garza Cantú, San Nicolás de los Garza, N.L. C.P. 66480 Tel. 2020 7650 - For that letter, I need a copy of my birth certificate issued this year. There a lot of places where you can get this document. I have chosen this San Pedro location:
- Vasconcelos No. 1561-B, Colonia Mira Sierra
- The Belgian Embassy requires that some of these documents be certified as true, original, and valid for all member countries of the Hauge Convention through an "Apostille". In Monterrey, this service is offered at:
- Washington 539 Ote. Edificio Elizondo Gza., PB, L-3, frente a Tesoreria General del Edo. Col. Centro C.P. 64000
- More locations and services for the state of Nuevo León can be found at:
- http://sg.nl.gob.mx/Cetys/Modules/WebDPI/busqueda.aspx
- Laboratory exams and a general check-up by an Embassy approved doctor.
Dr. Herman Flores García
Montes Rocallosos #417, esq. c/ VasconcelosRes. San Agustín, San Pedro Garza GarcíaTel: (81) 83 56 33 18Cel: (044 81) 83 62 93 06Mail: drhermanf@hotmail.com- Translators approved by the Embassy. The first time around, I worked with Oliveto Vicenzo and everything was perfect. I will definitely be contacting him again.
- http://www.diplomatie.be/mexico/default.asp?id=50&mnu=50
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