Local woman who lived in Brussels for 3 years shocked by attacks

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• published: 23 Mar 2016
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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - When Megan Hook awoke Tuesday morning, March 22, she saw a text on her phone from a friend offering condolences for what had happened in Brussels. She immediately logged onto her computer and saw the news about the terrorist attacks at the airport and subway. "I was concerned about my friends who are still there, people who work there or go there for business," Hook said. Hook and her family lived in a suburb of Brussels from 2010 to 2013. Her husband worked for P&G; and was transferred. In between shuttling her kids from guitar lessons to cub scouts, she kept a close eye on her phone. One of hook's friends, former Belgian basketball player Sebastien Bellin, was injured in the blast at the airport. He currently lives in the U.S. and was in Brussels on business. He suffered a serious leg injury and broken hip. "He said he was the lucky one, though because there are a lot more severe cases than his," Hook said. Hook finds it hard to believe that such a terrible attack could happen in the city she called home. She loved the people she described as warm and the diversity. "You have all religions, people from all over all coming together and while you might have differing viewpoints everyone wants to engage in conversation in a very respectful way," Hook said. Meanwhile, at Taste of Belgium in Over-the-Rhine, owner Jean Francois-Flechet was watching what's going on in his native country closely. His parents were supposed to be traveling on vacation but their flight will likely be canceled. His parents are safe. "I just didn't think it would happen in Brussels. Obviously it happened in Paris, it happened in London, it happened in Spain. It's just shocking that people are dying for no reason," Flechet said. Megan Hook is also trying to make sense of the senseless. Thankfully her friends are safe. But she said what happened in Brussels is not part of the city that she knows. "Hoping that it obviously never happens again and that Belgium recovers quickly because they're really the last country that deserves it. It's a wonderful place," Hook said. Hook said she has flown into the airport between 50 and 100 times and never felt unsafe. She said she was just thinking recently about how she misses the city and would like to return. She shared some other thoughts about Belgians: "They work to live they don't live to work; they totally encapsulate the joie de vivre-- the joy in life. They spend their time with family and friends enjoying their lives, and all that life has to offer - The bounty that the Earth provides for us. This is seen through the fresh open air markets that happen year round, people riding their bicycles instead of driving cars even in the middle of winter, taking time to cook real meals and spending time at the lunch as well as dinner table. All small examples that add up to a beautiful life."