A tiny little post today, just to say - Soup Festivals - Amazing!
We had no idea where to take our oldest friends this weekend when in true Belgian style the blazing heat suddenly turned to torrential rain. So after a fruitless search for local events, we headed an hour north to the normally touristy, but picturesque, La Roche-en-Ardennes, where they where holding none other than a soup festival! I know, I too thought we were clutching at straws heading to this one, but just goes to show you should never judge a festival by it's poster. It was so much fun!
On arrival at the tiny square taken over by soup sellers and lovers, we queued to pay our six Euro, not only for the entry, but also for a real porcelain bowl on string to wear round our necks and taste all the soups with. Now what more could you ask for on a rainy day than endless supplies of soup, plopped into the bowl around your neck. They even had a washer women, who kindly rinsed your bowl between servings, should you so desire. Of course being a Belgian fete, all this was accompanied by live music and alcohol, this time in the form of peckets (potent little shots in various rather tasty flavours). In my experience any event over here, however tame or even serious, is an excuse for the locals to consume copious amounts of booze. This occasion was no exception, every stall that wasn't serving soup was plying us with free shots in the hope that we'd buy an entire bottle, or just speak to them in English. We naturally opted for the latter and by the closing of the event we overloaded on invites as to where to head next. Still, having spent the day in the rain continuously supping soup and booze, we knew (being nearly thirty) we aught to give our swollen stomachs a rest and call it a day, so headed back to our awaiting beds in a local car park.
People say the Belgians can be a little unapproachable, but this event certainly proved that statement wrong, punters and staff alike were so friendly and welcoming they really made us feel part of this intimate little festival.
It was a surprisingly brilliant event, and definitely worth a visit next year, there is something for everyone - music, food, drinks and traditional wooden games for children, well adults in our case - they are pretty challenging. So if you get the chance, go, smile, chat, eat soup and, above all, make some new Belgian buddies.
The Soup Dance
UPDATE: I have just been informed by my French teacher that she saw us on the local news soup tasting - amazing! If anyone can find that one on line I shall send you lots of lovely internet love - anyone?!
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