My friend Arlene is a force of nature.  She’s in a brand new world for three weeks … and she wants to poke her nose into all the life that’s here.

Arlene came to the open mic session on Friday evening to hear me sing.  We got talking to a young woman who’s a museum curator(?)  Some word like that.  Arlene wanted to know all about it, and she looked thrilled that the woman and her boyfriend were curious about her.  And so the conversation flowed.

Yesterday Arlene was out and about in Gent.  She not only figured out the transportation system but also found a magnificent church to worship in – one that I’ve never been in.  My friend is a major explorer.

Today Arlene is off to Bruges (Brugge in Dutch), another ancient Belgian city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  I asked her yesterday if she wanted my company today and she delightfully said “No”.  Yes to telling the truth!

She’s taken the tram this morning to Gent Sint-Pieters, our train station.  It’s full of murals and remarkable ceilings.  I’m sure Arlene will be looking up a lot, and lingering in the view.  And who knows what will beckon her in Bruges?  I told her “The world is your oyster” … but she doesn’t like oysters.

Tonight I’ll get the full meal deal of Arlene stories.  Lucky me.