mussels

I got a message on Skype this morning. "We might go to Blaarmeersen [that's the really nice park near our house], do you want to join us?" That simple question culminated in a traditional Belgian dinner of mussels (and frieten). This was perhaps our most spontaneous day since moving to Belgium. What we thought might just be a morning at the park became a whole day with friends (isn't Flemish culture nice). Here is the evolution of our day.
-We realize that we probably need to take a simple picnic lunch.
...we realize we don't have bread.
...I bike to the bakery.
-We walk to the park and enjoy conversation while the kids play (OK, I played almost as much as I conversed).
-It rains.
...we take shelter, some of us under playground equipment, some of us in the restaurant at the park (where we all eventually found ourselves).
-We treat the kids to ice cream and have a soda as we continue to talk, and the rain quits (and starts and quits).
...the wasps (who already showed interest in our picnic) now set their minds on our ice cream and sodas, so we decide to move.
-We start to walk around the lake.
-It rains again.
...we take shelter under trees.
...the trees try their best, but we realize this rain is going to last a while and the trees are not helping much.
...we continue our walk in the rain (with the girls on the stroller under a towel and the rest of us getting wet).
-We make it home and have tea and hot chocolate to warm up.
-We get into a conversation about traditional Belgian food.
-Our friend, Tom, says, "I could make mussels for us if you like."
...we walk to the grocery store and get the needed supplies.
-We hang out at home until it's nearly supper time.
-I bike to a frituur while Tom makes the final preparations on the mussels.
-We have a pleasant dinner.
-We talk some more after dinner before our friends leave.

I had intended to work on a fundraising project today. Instead of hours in front of the computer I got a relaxing day with friends. I say relaxing because the rain and wasps and extra trips to get food didn't deter us even slightly from enjoying ourselves. And while I still need to do some fundraising I also remembered we're here in Belgium to be with people.

Funny thing is when the evening settled down I sat in front of the computer to get a little start on my project. What did I find but an email from some new friends saying they'll be in town tomorrow and could they visit. And I replied, "We would be delighted."

Life lesson: You are what you eat. And we not only ate a traditional Flemish dish, but perhaps we tasted the Flemish way of life.