Saturday was gorgeous. Eva and I headed for some Drie Koningstraat small-time shampoo Kruitvat shopping and some small-scale Aldi shopping. The day was gorgeous. Antwerp in springtime is second to none. (non-nature, city-speaking)

We ate at a breakfast-place there, and turned in our winning lottery card for 4 more that weren't.

Eva and I came home and started working on the state of the house. She took over the bathroom and I took over the kitchen. We fixed all of our drains (removed excess hair and gunk) and sorted various piles. (we tend to be pile-people, as living in such a small space doesn't allow for individual places)

In the afternoon Eva and I decided we should go to IKEA. Not for anything in particular, but for some space-saving tidbits. (we're always on the lookout!) We insist that our apartment is IKEA-friendly. It's certainly not showroom-ready, as nothing, save the bed, is IKEA furniture. Nonetheless, it's the sort of space that IKEA room-designers would salivate over. Every time I go to IKEA I look at their spaces (such as their "showroom" in which our bed does exist) is so stuff-less. Of course one would want their space-saving rooms if you have an apartment is as small as ours. But once you add "stuff" into the picture, it's not so "quaint" anymore.

We decided to take our bikes to IKEA (any scooter-opportunity makes us a little heavy-hearted) Eva's bike is still a mountain-bike and is geared for taking fallen logs and speed on dirt-trails. My bike, however, has been transformed into a city-scenery I'll-get-there-sometime-and-while-I'm-at-it-I'm-going-to-enjoy-it ride. I'm still a girthy-girl on bicycle and Eva's a slim-girl on a speed-demon. I kept up with her only because I was trying to ride consistently; at a nice pace. I was dead tired after fighting the wind, and by the time we got there, I was ready for the hotdog and drink we purchased/split! :)

We bought things we needed and a couple of things we didn't. All in all it was only around 30 Euro--including two plants. Eva and I are going to see which one of us can keep a plant alive the longest. (she chose a cactus-relation and I chose an ivy) The way home saw me struggling just as much as I had on the way there, though it seemed that no matter which direction I went, the wind was always at my face. (except in very narrow streets)

We came home and went out to eat with Eva's father. He loves a restaurant just up our street, with a big Flemish cook and his French-speaking wife (we think)--in their living-room turned dining-room. Before we left Nichole called to let us know that due to nerves (her own) her and Jennifer would be coming a day late. The nerves led us to over-dinner-conversation, and we came up with the concept that this cafe and it's personable French-speaking server, it'd be a fine Parisian-replacement. (and it's just up our street!) It's cozy, everything is fresh with delicious sauces, and you even get gratis appetizers and gratis "after dinner alcohol."

I don't know why Eva and I continually overlook it, but it's always a treat when we go.

After stuffing ourselves senseless, we came home, set up the DVD and speakers and watched The Man Who Wasn't There. It's worth seeing. The three of us found it a bit depressing and I tried to see the somewhat-innocent-man and death-penalty commentary in it.

IN THE NEWS:
The faltering economy, rising gasoline prices and a looming war appear to have done little to stem the annual spring break migration by thousands of college students intent on partying--much of which started this weekend and will continue through Easter weekend.