a sunny Sunday in April

On a sunny Sunday morning after a sunny Saturday afternoon and hot night, Haya and me were having lunch near the station in Ghent. We decided to open some sets. After having let run a clasyy red-haired woman in a green dress that seemed to come straight from the silver screen, we decided to do some chatting around.

It started with a group of giggly girls, about twenty of them. Something was obviously going on, so we passed by and asked what was going on (can’t remember what I said). Turns out they were fans of Natalia, a local pop singer, and were on their way to record a tribute for her fifth anniversary as an artist (she started her career in the first Belgian version of Idols in 2003). I found the text but none of them apparently could sing – I wondered for a moment if I should lead, but decided against it. This was all fun but not really soul-lifting, so we wandered off. In passing, a couple containing a beautiful blonde grungy girl with a Swedish complexion and strikingly grey-blue eyes (as I was to find out later), and commented on the matter.

Next, we entered the station hall. Three alternative-looking girls with instruments were looking at the departure board. We passed, and I asked them if they were part of the Natalia fan group (as if). The nicest of them, a cute blond curly-haired skinny girl with bright orange top and shin warmers, explained they were a band of five and that they were off to do their thing on the streets of Bruges. I promptly offered them five euros to play me a song, and went to fetch my camera. We stationed ourselves at the end of the last platform, and they unpacked. My favourite had a slim cello, then there was a guitar and two kazoos. They set off, two dancing, one singing, and my girl and another playing the instruments. One of those magical moments… They turned out to be really good (don’t you think?) – after their song I got the number of the singer so I could send them the video. Tbc…

In coming out of the station, we showed the clip to the couple with the Swedish girl. When we walked off, she said something that struck me as Haya and I had been discussing goals in the Game earlier. It made me realise that this is one of my main goals in the Game: to meet interesting people, to lead an interesting life. What is interesting? Whatever makes my heart throb, my mind buzz, my heart sing. And to have that, every day, that for me, is to have an interesting life. Note to self: keep on thinking about those goals…