May we make May Merry

Dearling Read-a-roo,

Oh come on. Where's Barry Manilow when you need him? I could really go for a huge crescendo and him crooning, "LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT!" I guess the caps lock will have to suffice in conveying my excitement. That's right, my friend, we're in the home stretch for real. Really real. This time next week I'll be in my own bed, waking up to Oradell sunlight streaming through the window, hopefully smelling yummy breakfast food from the kitchen, stretching, and taking in the beautiful pulse of familiarity.

I guess there's just enough time for one last recap of the week's events before I head out with Ashley to enjoy Car-Free Sunday! That's right. No cars on no roads today. Just bicycles bicycles you are my bicycle. It's really lovely. I wrote to Brandon earlier how strange the city feels - in a nice way... Casper the friendly ghost-city kind of way. Families on bikes everywhere, kids doing stunts in the street, pulling off to the side for the occasional cab to pass through.

Okay. two lengthy, rambling paragraphs in... you know what that means, kids! Finally on to the point of the post! Which is the... recap... I suppose.

Set the scene: two Thursday's ago, May 1st, May Day, Brussels, Belgium, Universe. In three words: jolly good fun. Amanda and I wandered down to Saint Katherine's where an impressive stage was set up a few feet in front of the black streaked busted up cathedral. Sort of blasphemous? Naw. Music is divine! Well, provided it's good music... like Barry Manilow. Auuh right. Anyway, needless to say, it was a pretty incredible environment - the courtyard was positively packed with a plethora of hippies and old folks and young kids, swaying dancers clutching beers and mojitos and me somewhere in the middle of them.

Rock Star Groupies in the MakingI smile and continue to enjoy the clash of old and new.

Not a whole lot in the world funnier than wasted middle aged men trying to dance.

This bongo man had the most intense jam sessions.

In America, when a drunken fool runs up on stage, he's escorted off the premises. Here, the bongo man embraces the drunken fool. Talk amongst yourselves.

Refer to previous caption of middle aged drunken men trying to dance. His chicken flappy arms made me laugh every time he waddled past me.

I just adore rolled out plots of sod. Don't you? A real natural feeling.

Again, refer to middle aged drunken men dancing...

Last but not least... finally, a musical instrument which doubles as a breathalyzer.

I'll now take questions from the audience. Yes you, you in the back with the cowlick and the Cheap Trick t-shirt. What's that? "What's on the agenda for my last Sunday in Europe," you ask? Excellent question. More or less avoiding studying at all costs. More specifically, wandering around with friends, basking in the sun flooded Grand Place, ambling uptown to the Palace of Justice for round two of "Free Huge Gnarly Concert And Cool Carnival Concession Stands Set Up In The Middle Of The Enormous Courtyard Outside The Belgian Royal Palace."

Okay, you caught me. I made up that event title. But it's pretty concise. Encompasses all the details. Maybe doesn't roll off the tongue quite easily, but there you have it. Anyway, round one was last night, and it was a splendid time. The band was pretty okay, high energy, but the vocalist sounded too much like Bono, and, don't have me drawn and quartered, I'm just not the biggest U2 fan. I'm excited to see what the bands will be like today... I'm told there will be one which covers Beatles songs and one which covers Abba songs. I don't know about you, but I'm stoked for the Abba.

Expect some photos of abandoned streets and coverage from "Free Huge Gnarly Concert And Cool Carnival Concession Stands Set Up In The Middle Of The Enormous Courtyard Outside The Belgian Royal Palace" round two. Okay, maybe you're right. I'll look into an abbreviated version.

Well reader, it's been real. Enjoy your sunny Sunday, and don't forget to grab your hat off the rack before you leave. Mints at the door. Thank you, thank you, good day to you indeed.

With love and bikes and ladybugs,
Lauren