I got up really tired this morning but very happy to have done the shoot yesterday. My anxiety is finally gone. Which places are we going to visit now? Peter convinced us that Amsterdam is a must. Hmmmmm… Why not? But before leaving Germany, Martin would like to do another photo shoot… It's barely 10 am!!

The location that he proposes is a small area near the backyard of a house. What's interesting is that it holds a big yellow crane. The yellow is flamboyant and will contrast well with the black latex. We ask the people living in the house if we can take a few pictures in their yard. They accept with a smile. I'm a bit shy. What will they think when they'll see me head to toe in latex?

I'm leaning against the car. The air is warm. We both decide to start with the first latex dress I ever owned: the one I bought at 18 years old. I get undressed in the small, rented hatchback. The people on the street throw a few glances. Oops… Hihi…I slip on a pair of purple underwear, then the black dress, followed by long, black, opera-style latex gloves with cut off fingers, and then a pair of black stockings. As for the shoes… I figured that the red and transparent stiletto boots would look really great against the yellow background of the crane. OK, a bit of Wet on the latex and I'm ready…

I walk slowly towards the crane. The whole family is outside on the porch to watch the shoot. It's funny seeing them staring and smiling. The people here seem more open- minded than I first thought. The sun is scorching! The smell of hot rubber fills my nostrils… a small inconvenience when doing shoots on a warm, sunny day. The shoot is very interesting. From the top of the shovel, I feel like a tough girl playing on a construction site. I'm like a little boy playing with his toy truck only mine is bigger!! Haha!

Once the photo shoot finished, we drive to Amsterdam, the craziest city I've seen up to now. The traffic is incredible in the Red Light district. It's about 3pm and we don't have any reservations! AARRRGG!! We're a bit impatient but at the same time fascinated by this city divided but canals where a few boats linger. Very quaint indeed.

It now 7pm and after and exhausted search we finally found a hotel… if we can call it that! We'll be sleeping on a boat. You should see the room! It's just a bit bigger than my closet! I'm very serious. Describing it is very simple: 2 bunk beds with a sink. That's it! A real 2X4 but at least it doesn't cost $300 like the other hotels were asking! Martin and I laughed so hard when we saw how small the room was. It's really a closet! ;-) We then had dinner in the Red Light district and started looking around for possible photo shoot areas. We also saw boutiques like Absolute Danny and Demask but they were closed so we would have to visit them in the next few days. We stayed up very very very late or should I say very early! The coffee shops are very interesting! Hummm…

August 4

It seems like the night went by very quickly. It's a bit gray outside but we still decide to do a shoot. What to wear this time? I go for the completely red look: hot pants and a sleeveless shirt that Kate lent me. I also have on a pair of stockings and long gloves. The whole outfit is bright red. I complete it all with a pair of red platform shoes. A bit of Wet and we're ready!

We didn't decide on a specific location. The Red Light district streets are intriguing. Martin took a few shots here and there. I have eyes on me all the time but the people aren't unpleasant. It seems that it's normal to see someone dressed like this here in Amsterdam. We also visited the sex museum. There were many floors and one of them was on fetishism. We saw a few slave-master pictures and mannequins dressed in leather, PVC and latex. It was really funny seeing the people look at the mannequins then stare at me. Since I was still dressed in latex, people must of thought that I was working here… or that I was a freak. One or the other. Hihi…

Once we got out of the museum, we continued taking pictures but unfortunately, one of the stockings ripped when I tried pulling it up. Opps. Strangely enough, the other stocking started ripping as well so I ended up throwing both of them in the garbage. We had a good laugh… I'll just have to buy a new pair once we're back in Montreal…

August 5

Waking up is again a brutal experience since we went to bed late. We didn't go to any fetish parties since Martin forgot his leather attire. Instead we strolled down the streets of the Red Light district. It was wonderful!

Today, we're planning a photo shoot near the train station and one at the Demask boutique. This time I'm wearing a pair of black bell-bottoms and a long-sleeved shirt that Martin made for me before leaving. I slip on my pair of black platform shoes, sliding nicely under the pants. The outfit actually looks a bit like a shiny catsuit.

We arrive close to the train station. The place is cluttered with artists playing music or imitating statues, moving only when given money. There's even one of them covered form head to toe in bronze. Even his skin is bronze. He really does look like a statue. When I got close to him he winked at me seeming to appreciate what I was wearing. Hehe! So I took 3 pictures with him. It was very moving, also considering that the crowd around us was both smiling and surprised. I then decided to play a little bit with the public by smiling back and making faces. A few tourists took my picture. I can imagine that they'll have a nice little story to tell when they get back home. I can see them now saying things like: "In Amsterdam, we saw a bronze statue accompanied by a Rubber Girl! Only in Amsterdam!"

We're now at the Demask boutique where we're greeted kindly. The store is very interesting. Almost all the clothes they sell are latex. I want to buy everything! Both floors of the boutique offer very original and high quality clothing. This is the second store, with Il Bolero in Montreal, which offers so many choices in fetish garments. Incredible!

We took a few pictures in the store then we headed back slowly to the boat. On our way, we saw children throwing seeds to the pigeons. Me too! Me too! Still dressed from head to toe in latex, I ask the children for a few seeds and they gladly give some to me. They don't even seem to notice my attire, which really surprises me. I take the seeds, raise my hand up high and the pigeons start flying around my head, landing on my arm to feed. OK, I know that pigeons aren't the cleanest birds in the world but I had to do this at least once in my life! And is was fun…

August 6

We're ready to leave Amsterdam. The tiny room on the boat is making us feel claustrophobic! Our next destination on our agenda… Brussels, Belgium. There are a few visitors from our website that live there and would like to meet us. Thank goodness I checked my emails during the trip or I wouldn't have known. We leave at around 11 am with a few hours on the road to look forward to…

We arrive in Brussels at around 4 pm. We're extremely tired since we didn't get much sleep in Amsterdam, not to mention our super tiny bedroom. Again, we're here without reservations since we had no clue we were going to come here. It took us many hours to find an affordable hotel. Oofff!!… The cost of living is high in Europe! Without a doubt, we'll be in bed very early!!

I slept well last night but I'm still exhausted. I guess that's what traveling is all about! ;-) Today, Martin and I will go explore the city to find nice spots for our next photo shoots. I'm sure we'll find interesting sites around. The city is full of beautiful statues and golden monuments! The downtown area is magnificent. Some of the buildings date back over a century and are decorated with flamboyant colors and ancient statues. There's also a cultural mix in this city. There are four different languages but everyone seems to understand each other. Tonight we'll be meeting Bruno and his girlfriend for dinner. They're the visitors on my website who sent me the email. I'm looking forward to meeting them. I hope I'll be able to recognize them…

It's time to go downtown and meet them. It's a shame that I have such a strong headache. I think it's due to fatigue. But at least I'm hungry! I put on the black latex bell-bottoms that I wore in Amsterdam (they're so comfortable!) and a little cotton shirt I bought in Germany. Here we go.

Martin and I are a bit nervous to meet these people. We'll be a few minutes late and I hate that but… It's so easy to get lost in this city. All the streets look the same! We arrive at our meeting place, the stock exchange. We don't really have to look long since they recognized us right away. I have to admit that there aren't that many women with hair as red as mine in Brussels. Both Bruno and his girlfriend Marijke are friendly and pleasant. We ate mussels and fries washed down with a few beers. Or should I say Martin and our new friends did since I drank hot chocolate. I really enjoyed meeting them because I like putting a face to the names of the people that visit and appreciate our website. I hope to see them next year if we decide to go back… I told them that I'd be writing a journal of my European holiday for my site and they agreed to participate by sending me their impressions:

Roadmap and impressions on Bianca in Brussels

« Are you Bianca? » were the few words I had prepared to get started. I was thinking of something better when driving towards Brussels, uncertain who and where to meet. My girlfriend and I were waiting at the Brussels Exchange building in the city centre, when they arrived, Bianca and Martin. A magnificent latex trouser immediately took away all uncertainties: no doubt, this was Bianca! We decided to go for an exploring walk in the city enjoying the cosy atmosphere in the city.

It turned out to be a short walk. Bianca's extreme hunger forced us to look for a cosy restaurant. Our eye fell on a small, typical Brussels restaurant in the 'Rue des Bouchés', probably the best known street in our capital. Seafood got our full attention, enjoying mussels and a very nice white wine. After a chocolate dessert, we continued our trip passing one of the oldest pubs in Belgium, the Mort Subite. Of course we could not just pass, we had to have one of those well-known Belgian beers: a Liefmans Kriek and a Westmalle for a start. We had a cosy chat, accompanied by the local cat gently caressed by Bianca. Our tour ended too early at the Saint Goedele cathedral, a romantic place to end a perfect evening.

The evening was way too short. I enjoyed any minute of it; that typical Canadian accent, the difference in lifestyle, the interesting stories of Montreal, the jealous looks of the people and the tips for a better (latex) life. Thank you both, till we meet again.

Friends forever.

Bruno
Little Ghost
(all comments / emails welcome)

---

As you have read in the part written by my boyfriend, we had a nice evening in Brussels with Bianca and Martin. I did not know anything from them, with only one exception: I participated at a Saturday night chat session.

I hoped they would not turn out to be freaks, because I only wear latex at home. I don't like if people are starring at me. We didn't have any problem recognising Bianca. Oh no! Latex pants, red hair... A special look but nice. Martin was a very good-looking guy, with his long dark hair and a special look in his eyes. Waaaauw, I got a crush on him. So needless to tell you that I enjoyed really their company ;-)

It's always nice to meet new people, especially if they come from another continent. Bianca and Martin are really nice people (no freaks but normal persons) who enjoy their work and their life. We would like to meet them again, perhaps in Canada?

Marijke

August 8

Ahhhhh… It's time to take more pictures! After breakfast I slip on a long, black latex dress with a red beetle printed on the front. I then put on a really thick, black corset covering my breasts, my long black gloves and the red platform shoes. My makeup is very dark and gothic-looking since I feel a bit sad today due to the gray sky. We found a very beautiful cathedral and 2 huge lion statues where an eternal flame burns in memory of the fallen soldiers of the war. It is majestic and very intimidating. I actually climbed on the tail of one of the lions and it supported my weight without problem. I then made my way to the lion's mouth where I sensed a cold and ferocious energy. There weren't many people around. It was both intimate and peaceful…

August 10

We left Brussels and headed to Versailles near Paris. I can't wait to see Louis XIV's world famous castle! I'm very passionate about that era with its costumes and literature. Only a few more hours to go!

The castle is truly amazing with its marble columns and kilometers upon kilometers of stupendous gardens. I've never seen so much beauty condensed in one area like that. I feel ecstasy inside me. We have to come back tomorrow!

August 11

It's 7 am when we're already in line waiting to see Louis XIV's apartments. Today I'll play the real tourist. No pictures, only sightseeing. ?

August 12

It's 7 am and I'm ready to do our next photo shoot in front of the castle. I'm wearing my purple dress with the black corset. I lowered the straps so that my dress could look more like a skirt. I'm wearing my Cinderella-transparent platform shoes. My hairdo looks great and my makeup is very soft. I want to bring out the bourgeoise (or the courtisane) of the era. ;-)

At this hour, the sun hitting the castle looks fantastic. Everything seems illuminated and delicious. Not a lot of people are around. Unfortunately, almost right away, a guard comes over and asks us if we have authorization to shoot pictures. We have trouble convincing him that we're only doing this for fun, Martin and I. He thinks that we're professionals from the fashion industry. Very flattering! Clic, clic, clic, and we're gone!

We then drove all the way to Paris. It's around 11 am and we're eating pastries. It's probably the best thing I've eaten on this whole trip! I have to admit that I can't find them this good in Montreal.

Since we're flying out tomorrow we decide to do another shoot. Yep! An early morning shoot in Versailles and an afternoon one at the Eiffel tower. I slither in my red hot pants, the long-sleeved black shirt, the long platform boots and we leave for our big adventure… in the metro. Hehehehe!

The metro is very interesting. A little bit dirty but very big! I still prefer the one in Montreal. OK, we're now under the Eiffel tower. It's FULL of people! They take my picture like I was a superstar. I never thought that the Eiffel tower would be so beautiful. It has a finesse that no picture and capture. Now I understand why they call her "La Grande Dame". The name fits her well. The sun is a boiling today. Sweat is just streaming down my legs. A few people ask me if they could have a picture with me. Why not! I stretch my arms, arch my back and another line of sweat rolls down my thigh. A little smile here, a wink there, I feel really mischievous ready to do a prank on someone. The crown looks on. The weather is perfect. Clic… another photo shoot finished. This time, the last one of our trip.

August 13

Bye, bye… it's 2 pm. We're on the plane ready to head back home. At least this time the plane is on time. The only problem is that the audio system on our seats doesn't work and all the seats are taken! So we're stuck staring at a screen with hearing anything. AARRRRR! We play cards, chat about the trip and laugh. Europe was fantastic! We had a great time during our 18-day stay. We clocked more than 2000 kilometers by car! Who would've thought! 4 countries, more than 7 towns; many stories to tell and 25 rolls of film filled with wonderful pictures! The trip was well worth it! I feel the fatigue burning our bodies and faces. I'm looking forward to being back home though. Being inn my things, my flat, my friends, my cats. To really understand how important our home is we must travel. ;-) Home sweet home! Au revoir Europe et à bientôt!