I feel so blessed in so many ways that gratitude leaves me most of the time un-wanting and un-needing, except for an occasional Belgian chocolate craving. And this morning, I particularly felt so lucky to be living in this beautiful city and to have the sunshine on my face while sitting on a bench across the canal, as boats with a few passengers pass by equally enjoying the rarity of sunny days in this side of the earth. What flows with the soft wind - leaves, birds, branches of trees, grass, little ducks by the water, all write a silent poetry in motion. Calm describes the city's rhythm best.
If, like me, you've watched The Dog of Flanders when you were a kid, you would automatically feel a connection with Ghent, being the capital city of East Flanders. Partrash, Nilo and his grandfather were from here! Well, from Ardennes exactly but at least from this side of Belgium. Nilo and Partrash were my friends back in gradeschool and early highschool days when I'd go home for lunch and watch them and their adventures everyday before noon.
Not that I needed a remote connection to Ghent. I don't know anybody here just the same but since moving here November last year, I felt good. People are generally very nice. And they smile at strangers, too. Ghent is Europe's coziest city for a reason, it makes everyone feel at home. And that truly is my kind of city.
Thank you, Ghent. Thank you for a life that is down-to-earth and beautiful and free. And happy birthday, indeed, to me.
P.S. Happy, happy birthday to my fellow July babies: Rowena, Karisha, Michelle, Sangya, Yoyo. I love you all! :)
