DISCOVERING THE BRUSSELS BUBBLE

“Let me give you an intelligence test”, he playfully posed several times in the London Café by the European Parliament when we met.  I failed, the majority of times, but was regaled with fascinating facts and insights ranging from the only territory to have had Esperanto as its national language, the history of the second-oldest railway station in the world (repurposed in front of the Parliament), to how he had instigated a recurrent Thursday evening party in the adjacent place du Luxembourg ten years prior.  I learnt much more – particularly given his vast geographic and linguistic knowledge and desire for precision that gently exposed the limits of my English(ness). 

I found we shared many things, including a studied passion for cycling as well as having been married to a Brazilian, but he appears to rapidly find common points of humanity with anyone.  He mentioned how he sought always to connect with dignity with people of any political persuasion, living actively a commitment to equality and equity – which resonates for me as a Quaker.

Attesting to the depth and breadth of Brussels, I was able to share with him a couple of discoveries I had made in the city that he hadn’t been aware of, such as the book The Owned Continent by journalist Dave Keating (who I had met earlier that week) and the English satirical theatre group The Schuman Show (I had enjoyed their performance the day before).

Before I knew it, three hours had gone by with Frank.  He had asked detailed questions about my life and towards the end asked if I would be happy for my profile to appear in a book he was writing on people in the Brussels Bubble.

I am still arriving, but I am loving Brussels for its cosmopolitan nature, surprises and grittiness, and even – betraying my British roots and proclivities – its cooler, greyer and damper climate.  Thank you Frank, and also to all the other people who have been welcoming and inspiring me in this vibrant, historic and propitious city.