
from left to right - K.K. (or Kyle Kyle - as I've decided to call him), T.K. (Tall Kyle) and Nick - my boys!
No they are not literally my boys, but it just so happened that yesterday when I was returning from Bruges, which I will post about next, I was sitting on the train in a tabled four seated section with just a girl beside me, my legs outstretched. I was sort of tired, and I see these three guys come through the train. I am thinking to myself, please don’t sit here, I don’t want to have to move my legs and I like not having anyone infront of me. Well lo’ and behold, this one tall dude decides to sit in one of the seats opposite. “Damn”, I’m thinking, “just let it be one then.” Then I see him looking off towards someone, and another guy joins him. “Well so much for my space” I think. They mumble something to each other but I can’t hear them. The second guy has a t-shirt on that has a drawing, well if I can say drawing, of Wrigley Field. I’m guessing they are from the States.
I keep thinking I should at least say hi. It is just one of those things that you like to do with other English speakers, I like to make them feel welcome overseas. But well the first guy keeps falling asleep. I wonder what they have been up to to make such spry young gentlemen so tired. The second guy looks tired but stays awake. Anyway, as we get nearer to Brussels I decide to ask them, “Are you guys from the States?”. “Yes” is the reply. So we get talking and I find out a little bit about what they have been doing and where they are going. They are going to Brussels but don’t know where to stay yet. So after a bit of chatting I realize that I have a Brussels book and we can look at hostels. So the train arrives, we get off and a third guy, their friend, joins us.
So as we head out of the train station I tell them that today – that day – is the last day of the beer festival and if they hurry they can make the last bit. To help them along and not to waste time finding a hostel first, I told them that they could just drop off their bags with me and then hit the beer festival and worry about the rest later. And well, what fun that turned out to be. We managed to get into the beer festival with about 3 hours to go. And that was about enough. I also introduced them to Celtica, my favourite local pub and we all had gyros for dinner late at night. Finally after watching numerous episodes of Eddie Izzard and having some frank and not so frank discussions about politics and world economics, the night, or early morning, did draw to a close.
But I was quite pleased to have shown them some fun in Brussels since they were only here for the night. They were really amazingly kind and considerate guys and I really can’t say too much about them. It is amazing how when you offer kindness, kindness is offered in return. I hope we will all meet up again some day, if not, then the memories will suffice. Nick is supposed to be sending me pictures so please stay tuned for updates on this post. Thanks guys for such great company and such great fun. You are all stars.
Thanks so much T.K. for introducing me to Eddie Izzard – I have never laughed so much in a long time. And being my fellow lover of Louis C.K. I hope you enjoy the introduction to Dylan Moran that you got to experience. He will make you laugh till you cry. Cheers.
Glad to hear you met such nice guys and had a good time showing them around.
Yup – and once again – parting is such sweet sorrow.
Hi Sara, glad you are having fun in Brussels! Are you still ok for the meat for Missy? If not Carmelo can come by with some Wednesday evening before you head off. Otherwise you can get it in Delhaize supermarket using emergency fund!
Absolutely loving Brussels Donal, even looked at an apartment today. Missy is doing great and the food is holding out fine. She and I have been enjoying each other’s company. She’s just hilarious. Has quite the vocabulary too. I hope you are enjoying Spain. I’m sorry we will not get a chance to share stories upon your return. But Brussels is rating high in the places for relocation…???
Yes she is quite a character and a talker to boot… You know full well she’s telling you to get a move on when you’re not cutting her dinner up quick enough for her liking! I do enjoy living in Brussels so I’m not surprised it has grown on you too, but it does have its downside – like anywhere I suppose. Spain has been enjoyable but the mosquitos this year are terrible! I’ve been bitten to bits! New Asian species has settled in Catalonia – small, quick biers and active by day! Have you had lunch yet at Oyster stall or at Mer du Nord in the square around the corner? Seen the fruit and veg marjet on same square? Wednesdays it’s organic – nice wines, charcuterie and cheeses! Bliss where i live.
Yes I have had lunch at the Mer du Nord – a very popular place. You know a place is good when all the locals go there. It is absolutely amazing where you live. If I could find the same thing I would be in heaven. Yes – some downsides to Brussels, certainly some of the grittiness related to homeless people and such but it is also so International and full of life. I have been loving being able to speak French and it has been improving. It’s so central for Europe. It’s biggest downfall is lack of an ocean, lake or river. And no mosquitos for the most part. The most amazing thunderstorm the other night. I will miss it.
Hi again. Theres a pretty non-descript canal and a river called the Senne but it is covered over because it was so polluted in the 19th century it used to cause outbreaks of plague. You can just see a tiny stream of it around the corner behind the Halles St Gery. Go through the gate beside the Lion d’Or brasserie and theres a little stream of the river visible in the courtyard. Not much but it’s there. Some nice lakes on outskirts, but you are right, Brussels is missing water. Other than the stuff that falls from the sky!
Well thanks – that answers my question as I have been wondering why they would have covered over their only river. I did see that little bit at the Halles St. Gery – I came across it by chance – it was pretty cool actually. Lots has been falling from the sky though.
Just an observation:
In both pictures of the Three Musketeers, Nick looks somewhat like Woody Harrelson, don’t you think?
Must be the picture because he didn’t strike me as that in person.