27 Feb 2015

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

1. My friend's daughter from the South of France should stay in Brussels for her studies at University for 6 months. The University didn't have the classes she wanted to attend, there were far too many other students. On top it was January cold and rainy and she was there all alone. I couldn't help her I had the flew. So after 2 weeks she left her room in Brussels at a slapping pace and returned home. She wanted to come back later and pick up what she had left behind in her rented room. Finally I did it and drove to the landlord's house in a little city nearby from where I live.

2. The little town is rather cute and I thought I could take some pictures of the center when I come back, but of course it started to rain and I had to drive home



The street was outside of town and the area looked rather nice.



I met a young cleaning woman who loaded all the stuff into my trunk (booth) it was full !
The young woman told me that she came from Chili and we chatted for at least an hour. She didn't want me to go. Now I know everything about her family in Chili and her life in Belgium.

3. Waterloo is under shock ! Our beloved mayor since 1983 and alderman in Waterloo since 1977 was constantly re-elected. And then I read early morning that he was placed under arrest and detained at the prison of Saint Gilles for a corruption case in the Congo. Nobody could believe it. I have met him personally several times and I can't believe it either, there must be something else behind. It is normal in the Congo that if you want to make business that you have to give some money "under the table" it is the use (sadly) and we all think that this has nothing to do with corruption. People were interviewed in the streets of Waterloo and I saw Ilona's mother being interviewed by a TV channel ! I was so surprised to see her on the TV screen. They all stand behind our mayor. Now we will see what happens.

4. I had a phone call from my oldest friend in Germany, we know each other since 1951 ! Her husband will be on ski holidays and she invited me for this week. She lives near Cologne. I will take the Bus from Brussels and she will pick me up. It will be the first time after 20 years that I had been in her home.


In 1953 and 2 years ago

We usually meet in Holland where they have a little holiday house. I think I haven't been in Germany since 2008 !

5. After my painting class I was asked to go to the administration office of the city where three secretaries with a beautiful flower bouquet were waiting for me. Some of you may remember that I had made the Christmas card for the city. The alderman wasn't there, as everything is upside down with the arrest of the mayor.



They excused him and we talked a bit about this scandal, and then I took the flowers and returned home. I had thought I wouldn't even get a thank you as I had done this card in December, but administrations work like snails so I got my "thank you" end of February ! At least it wasn't Easter yet.



more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

15 comments:

  1. What a lovely bunch of flowers! And very nice that they remembered to do so even though the whole office is in uproar now. I hope they sort it out soon.

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  2. Such a scandal for Waterloo, the Mayor in prison!! He will miss all the Battle of Waterloo celebrations. He chose the wrong year to be arrested.

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  3. 3. For the second time in Australia charges are pending against corrupt activity overseas by an Australian. While you are correct in that is the way things work in foreign countries, that is not the way western countries should behave. To do so only encourages corruption and the it is always the poorest people who lose when their is corruption. Money under the table is very wrong.

    4. So near Cologne! You can go and party in Cologne. Haha, I just had a mental image of Gattina in gay bar in Cologne, charming all the men.

    5. So nice that you were recognised for your efforts.

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  4. You should live in Italy...you fast gets used to this kind of scandals!...too sad, but true!

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  5. What a busy week you have had. That's such a pity about your friend's daughter giving up on the university course but at least you were there to pick up the pieces.

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  6. Thank you for your visit. The flower bouquet is lovely. I'm sorry about the mayor scandal in your city. I hope it gets straightened out soon. Have a good weekend.

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  7. How neat to have the visit with your friend to look forward to! And the flowers are lovely - very nice of them to get them for you.

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  8. I love the pictures of you and your friend! What a blessing to have a friendship that has been there your whole life even if you don't see each other often.

    That town does look quite cute and picturesque. Too bad it started to rain when you wanted to take pictures.

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  9. You've had a rather an adventurous week, Gattina! And a beautiful bouquet like that is welcome any time.

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  10. nice shot of kitty and flowers.

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  11. I've been to Cologne (many years ago in 1985). It's very pretty and I thought the cathedral was awesome. It was the first Gothic structure I had ever seen.

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  12. Pretty flowers (at last).... LOL, I think they will want you to do their Easter Card, so they had to thank you first. Weird news about your mayor, how very odd.

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  13. Enjoy your visit with your friend. And congratulations again on your award--and the flowers.

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  14. Adventure just finds you, doesn't it? How nice to get to visit with your long-time friend. The flowers are a nice thank-you gift. I hope the truth is determined in this sad case about your mayor.

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  15. Hope the things will get better for your major! Someone wants his skin!!!!
    Lovely flowers! When I come in Brussels I take a big bag to put all Mélissa things inside! HiHi!!! Thanks for catching all the bags by the owner!

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