We have this area in Montreal called the mile-end. It is a great part of town and is full of artists and interesting people. It is in the plateau, which is a hip place to live, and the mile-end is the hip part of the plateau.

When we just about to meet Sam in Brussels, Aliza said 'what does he look like?' and I said 'like he is from the mile-end.'

Sam lives with three other friends in a beautiful, renovated apartment in Louvain, a small town next to Brussels. We had had a relaxing day before meeting him, strolled across Bruges with our packs, stopped in a park and sang songs, had a mellow and quick train ride, and strong beer at a pub next to the train station.

As we descended into the depths of Brussels Centraal, Sam explained to us that the trains were always late there because there were so many trains passing through the station but there are only six tracks. Our train was not too too late, and we lumbered slowly out of the tunnels and back into the grey humidity on this commuter train.

We had a good talk with Sam on the train, and then a short drive to his house from there. We met all the roommates and enjoyed some interesting conversations about the universities here and some of the language issues that the country is facing. Belgium has been a year without a government now because no one can agree...

We had a great spaghetti and meat-ball dinner. Luckily I was wide awake, but Aliza almost slipped into a pasta-coma on the couch -which was the front row of the concert – expensive seats! ;)

But we got her up in time to get ready to perform. We had a fifteen person audience, and a pro photographer. Sam told us later that each and every person there loved the show. Good news! And we enjoyed playing. The living room was very spacious and had great acoustics. The whole crew that lives there now is moving out, everyone moving in with girlfriends, and we joked that in choosing their next home, the living room is of utmost priority – so that more shows could happen!

The drink of choice at the show was Westmalle, an 8.5% very tasty and very dangerous beer. We enjoyed a few after the show, there was definitely a Westmalle tingle in the air, and everyone was very happy. Good times!