Life and career prospects begin with a collection of more or less coherent thoughts. From an early age, I dreamed of becoming a train conductor, a pilot, or a roving reporter. None of those led to anything. My interest changed when I discovered a fascinating book on archaeological discoveries in Biblical lands. So, I chose to study archaeology and art history at Ghent University, continued my studies abroad at Ankara University, and participated in the first Belgian excavation campaign in Turkey (Pessinus), which was interrupted by my compulsory one-year military service in Belgium.

I joined the diplomatic corps and spent four decades representing Belgium on five continents and twelve countries either at peace, undermined at various degrees by political tensions or uprooted by war.

The stories related in this book are singular to each country but also universal. Many French, Japanese, or American colleagues will recognise their involvement in similar or comparable situations elsewhere.

I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I did writing it.