I ate last night at an Italian restaurant called Osteria.  I’d really enjoyed the Gent version.

Since my favourite flavour is pesto, I was drawn to Maccheroncini Pesto Genovese on the menu, complete with pine nuts.  Surely my esophagus could handle foods I love.

So careful … this recent version of Bruce.  “No beer.  Just have water.”  I’m a wise old guy.

Still water or sparkling?  Since coming to Europe I’ve discovered the joys of sparkling, so I went with that.  Two small bottles.

An amazing meal, chewed slowly, washed down with plenty of water.  I was following Dr. Lagae’s instructions to a T.

(Sigh)

Two hours later, in bed, I had trouble swallowing.  I wanted to belch but I couldn’t.  Carbonation – the unseen enemy!

I started walking around the apartment.  Little burps occasionally appeared.  More walking … two hours more.  More frequent belches.  Throughout the night, I’d guess a hundred of them.

Finally I thought I could sleep … and I did, on and off, till the early morning light.

If I’d been at home in my squeaky-floored apartment, my neighbour Dirk downstairs would have heard every footfall.  But I was in a modern building in Wuppertal – silent toes.

Today I’m trying to be even more careful about what goes in my mouth.  So far so good.

***

I haven’t written about the wonders of  Wuppertal.  Here’s one:

A monorail curving above the river!  What could be better?  I stared and stared.

I’m heading back to my Airbnb home for a … nap.  Why not?  My body is saying yes to the lie-down.  I need to be in peak form for Chris de Burgh’s concert tonight.

***

Here is the Historiche Stadthalle before the concert.  Afterwards I’ll come back to this bench for a photo with lights glowing. 

Between now and then, I’ll revel in Chris’ music.  He’s been a hero of mine for decades.  Finally I get to see him live.

Good for me