It has to be said, I have the loveliest friends ...
Today, Judy was coming to town. We had plans, that changed, and were all the better for changing I’m thinking.
We immediately wandered from the train station to Caffenation, for some really good coffee. Much talking later, we left, heading for my most favourite bookshop in Belgium ... De Slegte, in Antwerpen. We both love books.
Lunch, and Judy introduced me to a cafe she knew once. It was lovely and I recommend it so highly ... Moments, on the Meir at number 47. Second floor, for those like me who have never noticed it before.
We walked on, finding delicious boots at Torfs (that were not purchased), my new favourite shoe brand, also found on the Meir at number 14-16. Then to the Grand Bazaar ... which is nothing like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul but still, place of some favourite stores of mine.
There, she bought me a birthday gift that made me smile. I have never known anyone quite so convincing in the ... ‘well-it’s-better-if-you-choose-what-you-would-like-rather-than-me-guessing’ line of gift giving. I do adore her. And so, after quite some sweating, I chose a favourite author’s latest book. I have all of Joe Simpson’s non-fiction and I have to confess, his work of fiction had me totally in its grip by the time I reached the supermarket, via the tram home.
Then, I took her to Lojola. This youtube takes you to the cafe ... it’s the cutest little cupcake and coffee or tea place in the city.
From there, after much laughter, we wandered back to the train station where ... after running for the wrong train, she decided to walk me to my tram, as she had time to spare. The most commonly used sentence during the long walk to my tram was variations on ‘Yes Di, I can find my way back to my train, as I did Cuba alone’. But there was so much more humour that doesn’t quite come through in that sentence. Both Judy and I are terribly amusing. Modest though.
So yes ... it was a magical day. Unexpected really but all the more lovely for it. As I write this, I’m listening to the Chan Chan Compay Segundo cd that she slipped into that birthday package for me.
Dank u wel, Judy. Today was truly delicious.