Yesterday I was invited on dinner by family of my boyfriend's friend in Bruxelles. The dinner was soon for me, we were supose to be at his house about 13 o'clock. Usually I eat my dinner between 16-17 o'clock, because I go to sleep rather late. My boyfriend had told me that it's only friend visit so I shouldn't be nervous, even if they know only French. That day I ate small breakfast to have enough space for the meal.
When we arrived, we were very warm welcomed. Then the head of the family invited us to the living room where were the rest of the family. Our friend's mother told us that the dinner would be in hour. I was very surprised because I didn't know what we would be doing till that time. I was wondering why they had invited us so early. And then the mother brought all tray with some starters. The father offered us different drinks and we sat and started talking. Later my boyfriend explained me that they treated me like real guest so it was some kind of "tradicional" dinner. First was aperitif and later the meal.
The starters were small snack with some sea food, I recognised fish and pasta with crab and something more. My drink contained an orange juice with fruit and alcohol called Safari. It was quite sweet but good in taste. I tried to follow the conversation but unfortunately my french isn't so good to understand everything. But with my boyfriend's help we communicate somehow. And they didn't make me feel uncomfortable because of lack knowledge of french. After an hour, there was time for a meal. On dinner was some meat (I don't know how it's called), puree and three kind of salad. One of them was greek salad. And to drink was juice or red wine. Then was second meal what surprised me even more. On the second course were shrmps in special souce. I'm not a fan of sea food but it was really delicious. And later was time for dessert - apple pie with coffee or tea. It was so much food that I was really full. We were talking about 30 minutes and then our friend's family left us alone to spend some time together. Summing up all dinner lasted about 3-4 hours!!
It was nice experience althought I had thought that only in France is that kind of order during meals (first aperitif, then main course, second course, dessert). My boyfriend told me that they usually don't do this, that they eat theirs meal like others people. But when there is an important event, holiday or guest they prepare special dinner. I think that this custom of dinning can be affected by France. Firstly, France is one of the neighbours of Belgium. Secondly, there was period in history when France had an impact on Belgium (1794-1815).
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