Weekend Life

So many of the experiences that we had are not while we are traveling but while we are just living our life in Antwerp.  Some examples of that are in this post which covers multiple weekends this fall.  

This weekend, we were invited to my colleague Mieke's home for brunch.  They put out a wonderful spread for us.  I feel like everyone in Belgium is a gourmet!  I will be very uneasy returning this favor in the US.  

The children enjoyed the yard and its inhabitants.   It is common to have a chicken or two in Belgium.  The eggs are one obvious benefit but they are also seen as a way to reduce the amount of food that is thrown away.   

Besides the delicious food, our hosts treated us to a very special beer.  There are 7 Trappist beers  in Belgium and the Netherlands, which means that the beer is produced by Monks.    Some of these beers are easy to get at the bar or supermarket, but one of them is famously hard to come by.  You have to get an appointment at the Abbey and pick it up there.  The only problem is the phone is always busy and if you are lucky enough to get someone your appointment might be on Tuesday at 2 p.m. - take it or leave it!  Here is the famous beer West Vlateren and Hugh having his first taste.  It has a 12% alcohol content.  The only marking on the bottle is the cap.

We spent another Sunday on the "Pancake" boat in Antwerp.  The boat just went up and down the River Schelde as all its guests helped themselves to what we would call crepes.  

Brenna went for syrup and sprinkles on hers

Superstar

We have had many American visitors while we have been here, but this particular weekend we had a very famous Belgian visitor.  His name is Jules and it is common for a Kindergarten classroom to have him live with them.  He then needs to go home every weekend with someone.  He comes with a set of clothes and work for the parents.  You have to document in his book how he spent his weekend.

Liam dressed Jules in a Halloween Costume

Bed time

Jules came with us to our New Zealand friends house
to watch the World Cup Rugby game.

This picture did not make it in the book for School 

This particular weekend, we attended a halloween party with the English speaking parents group.  Brenna wanted to be a "Pink Princess".  Liam was Captain America which we thought was a fitting choice for this little American living in Europe!