Summer is here

The Old China Hands Lunch 3 July had 25 attendants, with several last-minute cancellations. Not too bad!
We had three July birthday boys, see Quentin (aka Monsieur Confiture) and Hans, Matthew skipped the waffle.

The menu, see the pictures:

• Monaco eggs salad OR Morel’s chef salad (ham, blue cheese and pan-fried chicken, beef on lettuce) OR fresh daily soup
• Liège white sausage (boudin blanc) with onion sauce served with red cabbage and mashed potatoes OR sliced cold roast beef served with potatoes and mixed salad OR pan-fried snapper with mustard sauce served with daily vegetables and mashed potatoes
• daily desert

The following lunch is planned for Friday 7 August 2026. I wonder how many will be around!

Xi’an trip

Gilbert was in Xi’an attending the World Internet Conference where he delivered a talk:
“Beyond the Image: Building a Living Digital Ecosystem for China’s Millennia-Old Legacy” by Gilbert Van Kerckhove, Rotating Chairman UWEE Group.

Xian

Besides the Conference also an opportunity to visit Xi’an by night, impressive!
Xi’an has a total population of about 13.17 million people, featuring an urban population of 10.59 million (more people than in Belgium!). Most residents belong to the Han majority, alongside a historic and vibrant minority Muslim Hui community centered around the city’s Xi’an Muslim Quarter.
Sights: Bell Tower and Drum Tower: Centrally located towers that glow brightly against the night sky, surrounded by vibrant city traffic circle. Datang Everbright City: A massive pedestrian street designed with grand Tang-style architecture, glowing LED art installations, street performances, and people dressed in traditional hanfu.
The city also has a vast subway network.