In Belgium 2006 Journal Part Two

Out the front doors of the Deinze train station and straight ahead about 50 feet lies Clues. As we entered we were greeted with a warm Flemish "hello" and a refreshing cold Belgian beer. Bart was there along with Chris Klooz, Tim, Alan, and several others I had spent a good deal of time with last year while I was in Deinze. After much hand shaking and hugging we settled into bar stools at the cozy local pub and began to talk politics. One of the greatest things about being based out of Belgium is that the general population is conscious, intelligent, and speaks English. Most usually Belgian youth speak at least three languages some of which are English, Flemish, French, and or German. They also have a worldly knowledge that far exceeds what most of the American general population does know or may ever even know in a lifetime. This includes people from tiny villages such as Deinze. I am always especially proud to be an American during the time I spend in political conversation with my Belgian friends. I love to be able to represent that massive side of America that does not agree with the President, does not agree with American foreign policy, and is not afraid to admit that America has its fair share of shortcomings.

Bart had to leave to get to Decadance for a performance so we agreed after a couple more beers and a little more conversation we would meet him there to watch. A few more Belgian beers and topics ranging from President Bush, Iraq, and the human race in general, we hopped into a car to make the 20 minute traveling time to Club Decadance in Ghent. Marvin rode shotgun and Mr. Klooz and I held down the two back seats. When we arrived we met up with a few more of the Clues Bar patrons outside and smoked a bit of marijuana before making our way inside the already full club. Lady Linn's beautiful voice could be heard from the entrance. Later in the night she asked Marvin to come up and do a song with her. The two astonishing singer's fed off each other's energy improvising lyrics and hypnotizing the eager and fascinated crowd. (lay it on thick scotty) At 5:30 am Bart and Lady Linn had finished their performance and it was time for Marvin and I to head back to Bart's house where warm beds awaited are very exhausted bodies and slightly spinning heads. Bart decided to stay for more drinks and good cheer and here lies within problem seven. We piled back in the car and took the now familiar roads back towards the small town we would be calling home for the next 26 days.

Bart's house was our final destination that evening. Bart's father spent every day of one year from 1979 to 1980 building the home. The exterior of the house is of mostly brick and wood with many windows ranging in size from very small to very large. The biggest window which lies in the front of the living room, is about 10 to 12 feet in length and around 5 feet in height. Because of the direction the room faces and the way the windows were placed it absorbs the suns light from noon till night. Every inch of the lower level floor is covered with ceramic tile and the ceilings are made of oak that is stained a very deep and welcoming mahogany. A lot of ceilings in Deinze look very much like the wood floors we are familiar with in the states. The only two ways of entering the house is the front door and the back door, both of which do not have a door handle but more less spring open when the key is placed in the lock. Problem six involves our lack of the key that springs the door into action. No key, no entering. I felt very much like a small child who does not have the password to the neighborhood hideout. He stands outside in the cold feeling left out while listening to the laughter and warmth radiating from inside the secret fort.

We sat for a long time on the porch contemplating our next move. Like a chess game we had to weigh our options carefully and with much detail. A good move could mean the grand prize of warmth and shelter. A bad move could mean dreadful cold and impoverished sleep. To sleep or to pass into the dream world was growing more and more important by the minute. (Now the short version)

We made the wrong move and ended up sitting on a porch outside in the cold for 3 hours. (Benny Hill music, roll the credits)

This saga will continue in the near future. Next up...Clues night, Decadance night, and other oddities and mishaps...