Ducasse d'Ath

Yesterday, the whole family headed south to the "propre" city of Ath for la fête de Ducasse. Here, there were giants, goliaths as Monsieur Rossi would have me say, who danced down the street in a parade surrounded by a troop of would-be French soldiers. Taking place at three in the afternoon, the giants processed from the Grande Place to the church to get married, bells ringing all the while. Following the parade, we took a brief respite from the heat and had cold drinks in the shade. Madame Spiri has a pharmacist friend who lives in Ath who graciously invited us to a party above a restaurant overlooking Ath's Grande Place while we waited for the second round of festivities beginning at six. Here, we had a view of the goliaths while a little boy (David) was chosen from the crowd to throw a ball at a hole in Goliath's garb. If he were to have succeed, then festivities would have continued, but as it turns out, he missed, and the festival ended. For Ducasse, Ath city-dwellers embark in making a special once-a-year almond pie to be eaten along with a glass of Bourgogne. Delighting in the chance to try this unique dish, we went to a pâtisserie-boulangerie to get one for ourselves. We have been enjoying it all day today. After the festivities, we went with some of Spiri's pharmacy friends to Viande etc. for dinner, where I tried a French beef shish-kebab, very good. Find below pictures of Ath and of the festival.
Today I woke up early to be taken to a local Catholic church service by one kind Madame Devausse in Masières. The service was fine, and best of all, brief. I didn't understand all of the service, and I admit I hardly tried to listen to the sermon, but I was glad I went. Ensuing church, I took a cat-nap to catch up on  some sleep. This evening I went to a party in Quartier Salazar for the welcoming of an Argentinian who just arrived Saturday, named Facundo Ortiz. I then went with Bruno to see a local soccer match of Nimy vs. Masières. Back at the house, Yaya, the Greek grandmother was present for dinner. Speaking not a word of French, and solely Greek, Spiri helped translate. The night came to a close after a quick visit from Spiri's nearby sister and family.
Today, I learned the patois (Belgian dialect) word for money - daiyar (I have no idea of the real spelling, but that's how it's pronouced).

Flag of Ath

La commune d'Ath

French soldiers in parade

Surf soldiers

Géants d'Ath

Me with Belgian police hat