February 2024

Winter did not relinquish it’s grasp on Lille this month. Although the temperatures were beginning to climb, the wind gusts and rain storms kept us in our heavy coats. On the last day of January we took a train to Ghent for their annual light festival (Lichtfestival Gent). The Ghent train station is one of the prettiest we’ve enjoyed in Belgium.

After checking into our hotel, we walked over to have a meal before the festivities were due to begin. When darkness fell, we had a map of the various light attractions but it was unnecessary because we only needed to follow the crowd. The light show was timed to keep the people on the move so after the first spot on the map lit up and completed its show, the next stage began its attraction.

As we walked through winding streets, we passed each show, stopping to view the entire session before moving onward. There were long periods where no light attraction was held but it was necessary to keep moving with the crowd as they had blocked off all other paths, complete with a uniformed presence to police the traffic. It was understandable given the huge number of people who needed to be moved on a schedule and in a specific direction. There were individual light shows and entire blocks with lights on buildings. There were no drink or food stops, other than bars and restaurants, which was probably aimed at keeping down trash concerns. In the photo gallery below, included is a shot of a furniture craft shop and when we took a photo through the closed front door, the craftsman was still inside and waved.

By the time we finished, we had been walking steadily for three hours and we finished at the same point we had started. We stopped in the hotel bar for a drink and relax a bit before turning in. It was an interesting event but not one that we would make a point of seeing annually.

The next day at the train station to return home, we had time to stop for a cup of coffee. Spying a small cafe inside, on one side, we ended up enjoying the best Belgium waffle and after seeing the owner had three carafes of different hot cocoas; milk, hazelnut and dark, I ordered a dark chocolate instead of having coffee. He winked and said, “That’s the best one.” and by golly it was. What else should you do in Belgium which is known for their chocolate?

The rest of the month was admittedly rather mundane. We got in a couple of visits to our very eccentric dentist and are slated for a few more. She is nothing if not thorough. We got in a few doctor appointments as well and of course, continued our tutor sessions. And yes, there were some protests!

Taking our tutoring is less demanding than taking the classes and for that reason we are not advancing as well as we could. The upside is that it is less stressful and since we are in this project for the long run, we don’t mind not having it shoved down our throats as fast as a chemistry exam in college. It is like learning a sport, a long curve with much repetition. Yes we could chose an intense path but since we have the time, it makes sense to keep it enjoyable.

In the middle of the month we enjoyed Valentine’s day, along with everyone else. The flowers from G were my favorites. I agree with Georgia O’Keefe when she said that no one really sees flowers. I personally adore white flowers because I can truly enjoy their form and nuances. G received a cardigan from me (I think he got the poorer end of the stick, as they say) mostly because his favorite one had been patched a multitude of times. We also decided on eating out at a restaurant in the neighborhood which we hadn’t tried, called The Melting Pot. Their food was excellent, as was their service – we chose to shared a lamb dish and a duck dish, both fabulous. Evening was comfort food (yep, G got his share of his favorite fried chicken wings) and a good movie called ‘Tuscana’ about a Danish chef who inherits his late father’s restaurant in the countryside of Italy. He grows to love the area and despite himself, grows as a person as well. Anyway, nice film, apropos of the day.

The rest of the month had more blah, blah, blah; putting up under counter lighting in the kitchen, an annual boiler inspection, paying bills, doing laundry, picking up prescriptions but also better things like video calls with family and friends and a dinner out with friends as well. You know – life.

Not everything can have ‘Kodak moments’. So what? We’re still having a great time. And, just because he can and he likes to, G has included two photos below of the same rue du Sec Arambault, right around the corner from us. The photo on the left is from the 1970’s; on the right from 2023. Still as busy as all get-out.