Later that Night...

LATER THAT NIGHT:

Kathy and the other few au pairs we met up with and the obnoxious American group all had to go home around midnight, but I stayed out and met up with another new au pair that I had never met before—Vero (short for Veronica). She is from Austria and turned out to be very nice. We started walking down the street to Bourse, the popular bar/nightclub street for younger people, talking about our experiences so far when suddenly a tall, quite tan and good looking guy came up to asked and asked is we knew where Madame Mustache is. Of course, we had no idea what he was talking about and said no. But as he was walking away, I suddenly had an idea. I called after him, asking if he new of a good place to get a drink or a good nightclub. He told us he was on his way to a good club (Madame Mustache) to meet some friends and told us we are welcome to come along. So, we walked together, looking for the club and talking. He introduced himself as Bahlill, and told us about how he is a film producer living in Antwerp and making independent films. One of his films was actually just selected for the International Student Film & Video Festival of Beijing Film Academy. He was born in Brussels to a Finnish mom and an Arabic dad, so he speaks French fluently, as well as well as Finnish and English! His friends who we were on our way to meet up with are actors in his films and actually went to school with this famous Belgian producer who now runs this show on HBO! SO crazy. He also told us that Antwerp is like the “Hollywood” of Belgian, and that's why he moved there. He hopes to one day actually make it in the real Hollywood. He is trying to change the European (and American) view of Arabs as stupid and bad people by being successful in the film industry. I say go him.

So, we made it finally to Madame Mustache, which was exactly what the same sounds like..a tarrow card, hipster club with mirrors all over the walls, orange glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and black and white pictures of an old fashioned women with a curled mustache (like it was drawn on to her upper lip) smoking a long cigarette with the some curls taking the shape of skulls. I received this matchbox when I gave my coat to the closet man:

We met his friends there, who introduced themselves as “Now-fell” and “You-ness” (spelled as Nawfel and Junes I believe). Nawfel was shorter but had a very attractive, angular, square face and thick-rimmed black Ray-Bands and one of those short top hats that are in style right now (not sure of the exact name for them), and Junes was taller with dark hair and also an attractive but longer face. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures (which is really surprising, because I always take pictures.. but that must mean I was just having too good of a time).

So, we talked for a while about what they do and where they live. Nawfel lives in Brussels and Junes lives in Antwerp. Nawfel and Junes are not only actors, but also professional dances and teach classes a couple times a week! And boy were they good dances. We got onto the crowded dance floor, which was quite big, but it was still difficult to move with all the people there. The music was kind of old school stuff, like Michael Jackson, which was actually kind of refreshing for once after attending numerous high school dances and house parties with the regular pop/hip hop grinding kind of music. This kind of old- school music was the kind the guys could actually dance to. It's hard to describe their dancing technique, but all I can say is the music really moved them. They new what they were doing... Just think about Channing Tatum in Magic Mike dancing, then you kinda get the picture (except, not so sexily and on the floor, more reserved hehe). We danced for a while and then went over to the bar. Bahlill bought me a drink, which was very nice of him because they can be really expensive. And it was the first time a guy has ever bought me a drink at the bar!! And this was a 25 year old guy:)

Of course, all three of them smoke because that’s what every young person in France/Belgium does to pass the time. I guess they don't care about dying 30 years younger from lung cancer.. Anyway, while we were sitting in the room and I was trying not to breathe too deeply, Nawfel and Junes started to beat-box. And quite well, I might add. One started a beat and the other just started coming up with rhyming lines on the spot. And not only in English, but also Flemish and French. He could easily switch between the languages when he couldn't find a rhyme in one. That is talent right there. Beat-boxing in one language is already extremely difficult, and beat-boxing in three??

At this point in the night (well, I guess I should say morning, it was around 3:30 am), I was just tired from dancing and that strong Belgian beer. I felt like I had been out forever, but the funny thing was, the club was just starting to get even more packed! Later on I learned that here in Brussels, most "night-owls" don't really go out to the clubs until 3am or so..  Then they stay out until 8! It's just crazy.. Anyway, Vero and I found our way home and all was fine.

Well, more exciting things to talk about, including the “eat! Brussels” festival on Saturday and “Dimanche sans voiture” (Sunday without cars!). Can you imagine, an entire big city with no cars in sight? Well, it was pretty awesome.