DAY 10

Thursday 21 July 2011

Brussels

We bid adieu to the Smalhout-Gorin family and their beautiful home and set out for Belgium and Dian’s dad’s cousin Jerry Smolar, San Pedro born and bred but now five decades in Brussels. The drive across Holland and Belgium was very pretty, some small forests and lots of open farm country.

Jerry's home

Upon hitting the the city limits of Brussels we began to look for his street. Armed with Jerry's complete directions, we erred by getting off at the wrong basilica. How many basilicas does one town need?? THREE HOURS LATER we managed to crawl to Jerry's doorstep and the warm, welcoming arms of him and his enchanting 1960s apartment. Every room was decorated with beautiful antiques and books, books and more books. Jerry is a European historian, and his late wife was a museum director in Brussels, and we had the pleasure of seeing her work there.

Jerry's bountiful Brussels back yard

After a fabulous multi-course veal roast meal - who knew we were staying with a gourmet cook?! - we retired for the evening.

Jerry has more books per square foot in a home than we've ever seen!