Malmedy
We've had a wonderful six days in Malmedy. The kids don’t want to leave. Malmedy strangely feels like home, though I can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it's the comforting familiarity of this place or the connection I sense to Gaston (and the rest of the Georis family), given their childhood ties here. Maybe it's the wonderful people we've come to know. Whatever it is, it just feels right.
After a month of rain, we arrived during the last downpour. Luckily, we enjoyed two sunny days before the rain returned. Thursday was all about picking blueberries up in the Fagne (Walloon for swampy ground). We picked up Lisa Quirin and headed to Sourbrodt. We were all so happy to see Lisa again. We ate sandwiches on the trail and then hiked to THE SPOT. Charlie kept saying, "Oh my God, there are so many. This is so fun!” After, we enjoyed a beer at Peak Beer, chilling on the terrace at Belgium's summit. The view was a scene of rolling hills, expansive moorlands, and dense forests. It's a serene spot that truly captures the natural beauty of the Ardennes.
The evening brought a meal at the Mignons' house, thanks to Geraldine's culinary skills. Christian and Geraldine invited a few of their friends, we drank wine, laughed, and had an all around good time until 1 am! Sitting at the table, I attempted to follow the conversations. I relied on Google Translate with Geraldine and Maryam, but it's not quite the same as expressing yourself directly. Nevertheless, I had a good time and managed to catch bits and pieces of the conversations. I can't emphasize enough how exhausted I was from translating all night.
The next day, the boys made a trip back to the Mairie to collect their Belgian ID cards. When they returned, Gabe was positively beaming with joy. The Belgian ID card is a vital document that verifies identity, grants access to government services, and facilitates travel within the EU. It's a symbol of citizenship and a key to essential rights and privileges for Belgians. When they returned, they brought along Tarte au Riz. With my first bite, the pastry crust crumbled, revealing a creamy, slightly sweet rice custard inside. The combination of rice with hints of vanilla tastes like Malmedy! Haha. This marked the boys' debut with the tart, and their faces lit up as they took their first bites. They exchanged looks of approval.
In the afternoon, the boys hung out with the Mignons. Luke went on an electric mountain biking adventure with Marius and Arsene, which he can't stop talking about – a ride with a few souvenirs in the form of scratches and bruises.
Friday night dinner with Jehan and Dominic Herbrand, and their daughter Clemence, was accompanied by a breathtaking view. While on the terrace, taking in the view, sunshine, and good company, the wind suddenly intensified. In under a minute, rain poured down. Everyone scurried indoors, and the servers hurriedly relocated everything inside. Fortunately, our dinner hadn't been served yet. We enjoyed the rest of the night inside.
The anticipation of coming to Malmedy is something the boys truly cherish. They eagerly count down the days until they can reunite with the Mignon boys. Despite language barriers, the five of them share an incredible bond and have an absolute blast together. Arsene and Luke were practically begging for sleepovers, and Charlie would wake up, ready to be with them. It's safe to say that if we stayed here for weeks, neither Georis boy would have a single complaint. I'm so happy that the kids have formed such a strong connection, one that we'll continue to nurture in the years to come and the feelings are mutual with Christian and Geraldine. Building such meaningful connections enriches everyone’s experiences even more. Now, let's start planning our return – how about Carnival in February? Peut être.
Reluctantly, we are leaving Malmedy today as it turns out our hotel room is no longer available. Time to move forward. Our agenda for today involves a visit to Gabe's longtime friend Jerome and his family near Liege. We'll be spending the night in Liege. We're now heading south and the halfway point. From the northern point at Malmedy, we're starting our descent to complete our road trip loop.
A few observations:
A handful of distinctive things have caught my attention. I keep notes in Google Keep so these observations are random. The phrase "Eh hop" sounds funny to me, but it's a French thing. Meaning ‘there you go”. Now, I must grasp the perfect timing for using this phrase effectively. Environmental awareness shines through with emissions zones that promote cleaner air. Cars from other countries need to have a Le certificat Crit'Air - clean air sticker or they will receive a fine in several French cities. Grocery shopping brings its own surprises – loading your purchases into your bag as the cashiers stay seated, a laid-back approach. You either bring your own bag or buy a reusable bag. No plastic or paper is available. Need a cart at the store? That's a Euro, but you get it back when you return it to its designated spot. And as for water, in Belgium, they're a bit stingy when serving, but I guess it's like a salad – something you're expected to consume back at home. Our new diesel Audi's gas mileage is mind-blowing! I'm pretty sure we're hitting around 50 miles per gallon. I keep bugging Gabe about refueling, but the gas gauge hasn't budged below half, even though we've driven all the way from Southwestern France to Eastern Belgium!
“Eh Hop.”
