If it's Wednesday this must be Belgium

I will say that the reason I am making to places before dark is because this is very far north, especially compared to the states, so it gets dark later. I always think of Rome, Italy as being in such a tropical location, but when you look at a map it is about level with New York City. One night I looked out the kitchen window at 10:45 and there was still a sliver of light in the west. It is also light at 5am. The nights are a bit shorter here than in Dijon. When I was in Scotland it didn't get dark until after 11 and was light at 4am


I was thrilled to finally arrive at Monique's house. I had never met her before either. I think we have been penpals for about a year. She reminds me of a combination of my best friend, Pat, who died almost 14 years ago and my friend Rhonda (who is alive and well in Virginia). So I immediately felt comfortable. We both have a sarcastic sense of humor and a great love of cheese too. She has the cutest little dog, named Pim. He is 14 and recently had a stroke, so he is still a bit unsteady. Poor little guy. But within a day or so he had me trained as his second personal servant.



Belgium is very green and so far flatter than the region in France that I drove through. I would soon find out why it is so green! Monique warned to me to be sure to bring an umbrella. I noticed straight lines of trees planted here and there, Monique said they were planted on the levees to provide more support. Theh horses grazing in the fields are just beautiful. Monique's village has about 10,000 people. It is very cute. People do bike a lot here. I have seen women who are well into their 60's pedaling down the road. Monique sometimes rides her bike to work and to do her shopping. I only live a little over 3 miles from my office, but would never think of riding a bicycle (never mind that I don't have one) since for at least half of the way there are no sidewalks and I would end up as a hood ornament on someone's car.



I am not a World War 2 history buff, but on the way to Belgium I could not help but think that many battles were fought in this area. It is so calm and peaceful now, it is hard to imagine it was the scene of so much bloodshed. I do think that one reason Europeans are much more reluctant to go to war now is because so many wars have been fought in their countries. It is horrible that we have to send our young men and women off to fight, but I can't help but think that if battles had been fought in our own backyards we would be much more reluctant too. We are very fortunate that way.