A LARGE AREA OF BROCA?
[Voor Nederlands: https://tribes.world/nl/blog/large-area-of-broca]
The day of the opening is the time for my famous tour through the new location… I have to admit that I’ve already had my tour last night. After another photoshoot in Etten-Leur yesterday (indeed, for another tribe, but which one remains a secret), it was better to travel directly to Brussels. And since I was already in the neighborhood…
The wow-feeling starts on the outside, because what a beautiful building it is! As soon as you enter Tribes Brussels Central Station, a 'blanket' of water falls around you, because the Bajau, the hero-tribe of this location lives on, in, and of the water. They have been doing so for years, and their bodies have now been adapted to this. Last week it was still in the news: the sea nomads have a considerably larger spleen than other people (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43823885). They dive without equipment, they only use diving goggles and a harpoon to hunt, and nature has done its work. The spleen contracts during diving, spreading red blood cells with oxygen throughout the body. Because the spleen of the Bajau is larger, more red blood cells are spread to keep enough oxygen in the bloodstream during a deeper dive. The adjustment of the spleen is passed on in the DNA, and the diving itself is taught to Bajau children by their father.
It is customary for a father to go out to sea with his son to teach him everything he needs to know. It is a special form of mentoring, in which the son receives all the skills of his father in order to survive. Having such a mentor, either at a young age in the form of a teacher, or at a later age, when someone teaches you all you need to know about your job, is worth a lot. For me it was my father, who taught me everything about speaking in public. I have written before about his important role in my life, and how grateful I am that I have learned the core of my profession from him. Now I'm continuing that trend with my own children.
While a Bajau man gets into the boat with his son, I take the microphone with my children tonight. Speaking is also in the DNA of all three (who knows, maybe you'll find an enlarged (language) area of Broca among the Schaepmen). And frankly, we reversed the situation today; after Véronique, Valentine and Charlie had all rehearsed their speeches once more, I asked them to coach me a little bit. Because we get no less than six delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines on the floor, and try to pronounce these names fluently while you're on stage...
In any case, we are very much looking forward to the grand opening of Tribes Brussels Central Station, and we hope to welcome you tonight at Rue des Colonies 56 in Brussels!
PS: you can off course also book a tour for another moment, just call 0800 22 55 874 or mail [email protected]!