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Of course!

I'm booking a space at a piano shop nearby, but I have to go there in person to do that, which will happen this Saturday, probably. After that, I will let you all know.

I booked a train ticket today. It's just a two hour ride to Brussel from Amsterdam, so I come to Brussel in the morning and I leave in the evening.

The train ticket becomes more expensive the longer I wait, so I didn't wait for the organisation details. I arrive in Brussel at 10 o'clock in the morning. Then I relax a bit from the journey and see you at lunch time.

10 o'clock sounds about right, Chris.

For anyone else wanting to book travel arrangements, I'll say this:

The closest Belgian train station to where we are going for the piano party is actually Etterbeek station -- it's at like 300 meters from the Kaufmann store. You can take the train to Louvain-la-Neuve Université from Bruxelles Midi, which is where those of you coming by train will most likely be arriving. It leaves on platform 15 at 10:40, and it will get you to Etterbeek in 22 minutes, with 4 stops in-between (Bruxelles Centrale, Bruxelles Nord, Bruxelles Schuman, and Bruxelles Luxembourg). For those of you coming on a train that also stops at Bruxelles Nord: the same train to Louvain-la-Neuve leaves from Bruxelles Nord at 10:49 on platform 7.

If you miss this train for any reason, don't wait for the next one. Only one train an hour stops at Etterbeek during the summer. Instead, hop any train that stops in Bruxelles Nord (that's basically all of them, as long as you make sure to take it in the right direction -- ask at the info kiosk). From Bruxelles Nord, take tram 25 (direction Boondaal) and get off at Etterbeek station. It's the 19th stop after Bruxelles Nord, which means it will take you about 45 minutes by tram. Moral of the story: try not to miss that train.

To pay for this, your best option is probably to get a 24-hour 'Discover Brussels' pass from MIVB/STIB. It goes for €6,50, and it will provide you with a ticket that's valid for 24 hours on NMBS/SNCB train rides within Brussels, and all STIB/MIVB trams, subways and buses. Those of you who might be coming the day before or leaving the day after can also get a 48- or 72-hour version of the pass, for €11 or €14, respectively. Look for a booth marked 'BOOTIK' or 'KIOSK' in the vicinity of the subway/tram/bus stop closest to you.

If all of this seems a bit daunting, I am willing to make arrangements to meet you guys at Bruxelles Midi or Bruxelles Nord. But I can't go to Etterbeek by train, because there are no accommodations for wheelchair users there. So then we'd have to take the tram, which, as I said above, takes significantly longer.

After the piano party, those of us going to Brosella will be leaving on tram 7, direction Heysel.

Thanks for all that info Saranoya! Very helpful.

Hubby has confirmed he'll come with me
We're flying in on the Friday and leaving Sunday evening, so we plan to do some sightseeing before and after the piano event.

Anyone else planning to be there on the Friday? Apart from Sara obviously!

Wow sounds like fun. I am not sure if I can time my business trip to UK. I am going into a massive prayer mode to make this happen.

That would be marvellous!!!

Thanks Saranoya for the organization!

I just booked a hotel room for two nights, close to the railway station Bruxelles Midi.
I plan to arrive on Friday 12th and leave on Sunday 14th. This way, I can go to Brosella, and do a little bit of tourism.

Dear friends,
I was looking for a space in Lisbon to organize the 2nd European Piano Party next year.

Then, I received this e-mail from Yahama Iberia:
"Puedes ampliarme informacion de en que consiste la Europe Piano Party? igual podriamos hacer algo juntos."

Free translation: "Can you send more information about European Piano Party? We can do something together."

I explained what is the concept of PW, the number of members (~70.0000), and what is a Piano Party. I attached several links to PW.

So, I can't promise, but with a little bit of luck we can have the sponsorship of Yamaha in 2014, in Lisbon.
What do you think about it?

just give plenty of notice so I can plan my escape from Australia

Sounds great if Yamaha would help us to find a space for the piano party.

I think that is amazing!
Wonderful!

Ha! I'll be in Madrid all summer! Too bad it can't be there. On the other hand, I do know where the major Yamama dealer is located! I helped a friend pick out a piano there

Hi Saranoya,

Thanks a lot for the great travel info. I've booked my train now as well, non-refundable, so there's no way back now!

I will arrive 9:47 at Brussels and leave late in the evening. With only 1:30 of travel time it is not worthwhile for me to stay for the night.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

It is fun to see the news of people getting transport booked.

I'm looking at accommodations now

Aargh, my work vacantion in France is until 15 juli and not as I've assumed until 8 juli. I'm in minor mood, because the train ticket is non refundable and worse I miss the 1st european party! I feel VERY stupid and sad!!

Is your name on the ticket or could you resell it? I haven't booked my trip yet (though I kinda want to stay until Sunday afternoon).

No, the ticket is on name and not resellable.

Brussels, July 13/14! Oh, no!!! What a pity that I cannot join!!! I am leaving for summer holidays on the 9th of July. Really, really pity. I would like to meet all of you. Perhaps, next time...

That's such a pity Chris! Can you at least exchange it for a different ticket on a different day? I know we can do that here in Italy with most train tickets.

I'm sorry you won't be able to join us.

Maybe I can change date. However the ticket is not a big problem. That's the risk of buying a non refundable one.

But I looked out so much for the piano party. :-(

Maybe I could come back two days earlier from France, but I'm not sure.