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.