I was sitting yesterday in Café Come Back, my favourite pub in Gent.  I nestled close to my friend Westmalle Tripel – my favourite Belgian beer so far.  Two euros gave me seven songs in the jukebox … and I was a happy hummer.

To my right were four locals, talking brightly in Dutch.  One of them gave me a little smile, another tilted his head and looked sharply into the eyes of this stranger, and the other two didn’t seem to notice my existence.

On the left, three more regulars talked quietly in Dutch, less intense than the others but no doubt just as lovely a conversation.

I was alone … and yet not.  As Adele told me about Someone Like You, I sang along softly.  Later, as Lady Gaga blasted out Poker Face, I played inspired table piano, never missing a note. I felt enquiring eyes on me, but who cares?

I love the taste of Westmalle. Even one was leaving me with a sweet buzz. But here comes the server with a message: “That fellow over there is buying everyone another drink.” I looked over at a gentleman sitting alone and smiled. He returned it, along with a thumbs up.

I knew in my head that two beers are one too many. I also knew that Westmalle was more expensive than some, so I chose a cheap Belgian beer. If my mind had been clear, I would have opted for Coke Zero, but it was not. So I ventured down a path sadly taken before …

Eventually I decided to leave, wobbly in the mind and body. I walked over to my generous friend, bowed and said “Thank you” again. He said a few words in Flemish, which the server translated:

Until you return

Indeed. I’ll be back.

My feet were especially careful on the cobblestones as I meandered homeward. It was 5:25 when my bed found me. I was looking forward to being on the Evolutionary Collective Zoom call at 6:00. I love doing the Mutual Awakening Practice (MAP) with another person.

I sent my alarm for 5:50. “Twenty minutes will be enough.” My wrist vibrated at the appointed time. And every part of me said “No.” Clearly having two beers was a connection killer. I awoke again at 6:36.

Oh well

Life is a miracle … with or without alcohol

I’m leaning towards “without”