My radar in Izy Coffee is always on for the spoken word in English. And this morning a couple were talking to Arjen, the barista.

“Where are you from?” I intruded (nicely).

“Las Vegas”.

So I learned about a place I’ve been curious about but with no interest in visiting. It would have been cool to see Celine Dion perform in one of those spectacular hotels on “The Strip” but my life has turned out fine without such adornment.

When Ryan and Amanda consider a move to Europe, the answer is “yes and no” – her yes, him no. Among my conversational meanderings as a Ghent welcome agent was this:

Just past that building [Nationale Loterij] there’s a counselling service. They specialize in helping Nevada men overcome their resistance to moving to Europe

Three smiles.

I told two lovely US citizens about three of my favourite spots in Ghent: Shazanna (an Italian restaurant full of flavours), Rococo (a candlelit cocktail bar tucked away on a cobblestone street) and the Carmelite Church on the Burgstraat (a sanctuary of quiet). Maybe they’ll visit one of them before the family leaves the city tomorrow.

Amanda told me about a concert they attended under the Stadshal a few days ago. It’s a marvel of modern architecture among the encircling history:

Free beer was on offer. And we’re talking magnificent Belgian beers, not the coloured water that lives in America.

“And,” Amanda said, “people brought ironing boards!” They stood under the Stadshal, listening to the music. Beer and yummies resided on the boards.

Allrighty then. Totally new to me.

***

We waved goodbye with accompanying smiles

And I said what I love saying:

Have a good life