DO UNTO OTHERS


Suzanne & Peter
Click on any image for a larger version

This is now the Hotel Navarra on Sint-Jakobstraat in Brugge (Bruges) but then, fifty years ago, it was the College of Europe's student residence.

Just recently, I heard the College Rector, at the closure of the current term, praise the studens for, among other things, their charitable voluntary work during the academic year. All very laudable. But I don't remember us visiting the sick and it is good to see that a tradition of such corporal works of mercy has developed since my time. The College badly needed to interact more with the local population.



However, we were not as completely self-centred as the absence of such a tradition might imply.

There was one day when the tables were turned (literally) and instead of the staff serving us, we became responsible for serving the staff.


I'm not saying we all cooked. The dining room had to be set up. Some of us waited on tables, while others washed the dishes and put everything back in its place.



Rudy & Christiane

Every one brought their own skills and knowledge to the table and training was on the job.



Elsa, Martha & Clarice

The main beneficiaries of the evening, and effectively the objects of the exercise, were the kitchen and diningroom staff who had served us throughout the year. And it does look like they enjoyed it.



Daniel, John, Suzanne & Peter

So I do hope the Navarra is living up to the high culinary standards we set then, not to mention the first class service and personal attention delivered in a spirit of cooperation and concern for the well-being of the diners.

Today's Rector, who makes a point of thanking the kitchen staff in his end of term address, must surely be impressed.

I must apologise to the many other students who gave of their best on the night. These are all the photos I've come across and if I find more I'll add them in.

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