vspb (Feb 12 2009, 02:23 PM) said: > original post
I had to register just to tell you how much I enjoyed your comments! I think they give a pretty good summary of life here, but you must have a sense of humor. You made my day and it made me smile to hear you vent! As a serial expat, I've learned there are good and bad aspects of life everywhere. You just have to try to focus on the good parts and I admit Brussels is one of the places where you really have to look for the good parts. Such as: you can explore Europe from here? For me, its closer to my place of origin thus quicker and cheaper to visit family than when I lived in Asia. Other than the sun is shining at this very moment, those are only the only two good points that come to mind. I must admit that I much prefer living in a place where the extremely occasional glance of the sun is not a major event for rejoicing! But I do have a sense of humor and I've learned to roll with the punches and bloom where I am planted. My personal opinion is that the lack of sunshine is the reason everyone here walks around looking so grumpy and never smiling. From all outward appearances the Belgiums seem as a whole very unhappy people. You may not appreciate this advise, but sometimes volunteer work can actually be very rewarding nd a great way to meet people. I've not done any here yet, but in the past I've worked with street kids, helped in an orphanage, and taught English as a volunteer to S. Korean children in the countryside that have never heard a native English speaker. I always get much more out of whatever I'm involved in than I put into it, so its good therapy for me as well as helping others Best of luck to you and I hope your assignment here is a ahort one.

Thanks for your positive feedback. Here's the thing: I've become obsessed with weather reports here. Who knew there could be 40 shades of gray with cloudy mixes each day. When there is a hint of sun and you go out, it's still freezing cold so it's a bit of shock to the system - heh!

If I ever adopt some cats or dogs, I'm going to name them after the local cuisine - aubergines, corgettes, moules, waffel, et frites. Although I will admit that I prefer diasporatic cuisine (refer to 'ethnic food' in above rant), I still object to their being modified into such strangeness to fit local tastes. Did I mention that I never will eat chocolates again in my lifetime after I leave?

I have integrated here - I am now a socialist and an atheist.

I truly admire the Brussels transit systems, lest you think I'm just too critical. They are so colorful. Why the other day I was walking on the sidewalk, a little too close to the curb, and the sideview mirror on a bus almost took my arm off. It hurt for at least two weeks, but on the bright side, I didn't have to have it amputated. Another exciting experience involved my trying to exit the metro: a brutish male tried to climb over me exiting onto the platform, and I almost landed on my face. Why is everyone so eager to walk through people. Where are they going? Why are they in such a hurry? What am I missing out on? I dragged myself to the escalator, but it wasn't working that day so I trudged around to the stairs (what do disabilitied persons do here, anyway?). Upon leaving the statiion, I started walking down the cobblestone street and managed to step in a hole, seriously twisting and straining my foot. I must not be all bad because karma intervened. When I pitched forward, I narrowly escaped landing in the dog sh** that was splatted in my projectory. See, that's a positive thing.

To fully integrate here, though, I need to buy some of those pointy-toe shoes that curve up at the tip (like a jester's). Now that would be some Belg-chic!

blarfy (Feb 12 2009, 12:36 AM) said: > original post
Well, looks like you have absolutely ZIP to add to this equation, besides a few nasty comments.

Not only that, but you're wrong on several counts.

Here's my take:

1. The weather is horrible almost year round. Rarely see sun, rains constantly, and is cold, dark, and gray all the time, winter and summer.

You got that right.

2. Brussels is totally depressing; it is dirty, has terrible drivers, ultra loud sirens, businesses closed frequently. If you must move here, go to Antwerp.

Bingo. Everything is closed on Sunday and then after 6pm or 8pm any other time. Definitely not there to do business if you won't bend to their will. When I need something, I go to Antwerp. Statistically, Brussels is one of the worst for accidents and driving in Europe. This may have something to do with the utterly incompetent bureaucracy which oversees transport and traffic.

3. If you like ethnic food, it will mostly disappoint as it is not very authentic due to being transposed to French tastes.

100% correct.

4. Brussels is expensive for value received (but, yes, cheaper than the UK or Tokyo, but if you're on Aussie, Canadian, or US dollars, it's expensive).

Yep. Go to Antwerp or Gent. Or maybe the Ardennes. Brussels blows and sucks on this one.

5. Unless you are a miracle worker, you will hardly ever meet any locals. Then again, you might not want to after you have.

Yep. Luckily I had some introductions before I first arrived, but the first crew that I worked with just abouyt poisoned it for me.

6. There are many expats who like it here - but they drink a lot - a whole lot.

Don't worry, you'll never see them because you won't be making many friends. (Unless you're lucky.)

7. The bureaucracy is mind-boggling; can't process visas at all, especially if you're a girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband, etc. Expect to wait about a year plus to get a visa processed, if ever. Meantime, you can't work or have any life at all. Why is it like this? No one knows other than the gov doesn't function almost at all.

Bingo. The govt doesn't function at all, in fact. Even when you do have the right papers and want to get something done, local officials seem often mystified. (They could also be mystified that the sun, when visible, comes up in the same place every morning and that water is wet. Don't tell them the earth is round, though. They think that you fall off the edge if you go too far.) Then again, the locals I know hate them and call them incompetent too.

Thanks for your support, Blarfy. I actually don't dislike Belgium and I really like Antwerp and Ghent, but Brussels really gets under my skin. At least I feel like you get what I'm talking about without splitting hairs and it helps me to vent now and then - if for no other reason than to know that there's someone else on this forum that's alive.

@m. de vol -
"Well, I haven't posted on this forum for a while and those who remember me will know that I'm not a nsaty sh*t, but this is too good to miss":

Actually, I wouldn't agree with your self-assessment at all. Then again, how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you may be miles apart....What is clearly important is that you think you're not "a nsaty sh*t" and good on you. That aside, I have always been supportive of you in your past posts, especially your yammering about the finer points of Mississippi living - no self-righteous comments or condescension there by you, but, hey, why bring that up.

I believe you made quite a few erroneous assumptions about me and my list, but I will chalk that up to your being in a grumpy mood when responding to some of my generalizing and my not identifying specific names/cases. I could have defined every word for your edification, but I didn't know someone like you would feel so defensive and be such a Bru apologist. Based on your response, I have definitely revised my opinion of your being an engaged listener to a rant without being so judgmental (and I did mean 'but' not 'and'). Brussels should hire you to be their tourist propagandist.

This is my tip - If you're considering taking a job here, reconsider.

My reasons why:

1. The weather is horrible almost year round. Rarely see sun, rains constantly, and is cold, dark, and gray all the time, winter and summer.
2. Brussels is totally depressing; it is dirty, has terrible drivers, ultra loud sirens, businesses closed frequently. If you must move here, go to Antwerp.
3. If you like ethnic food, it will mostly disappoint as it is not very authentic due to being transposed to French tastes.
4. Brussels is expensive for value received (but, yes, cheaper than the UK or Tokyo, but if you're on Aussie, Canadian, or US dollars, it's expensive).
5. Unless you are a miracle worker, you will hardly ever meet any locals. Then again, you might not want to after you have.
6. There are many expats who like it here - but they drink a lot - a whole lot.
7. The bureaucracy is mind-boggling; can't process visas at all, especially if you're a girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband, etc. Expect to wait about a year plus to get a visa processed, if ever. Meantime, you can't work or have any life at all. Why is it like this? No one knows other than the gov doesn't function almost at all.

Please give relocating careful consideration - there is a lot that you don't find out until you get here and then it's basically too late.

emilio416 (Jan 31 2009, 11:31 AM) said: > original post
In 2003 I bought the most expensive one I could find at Blokker's, for 39€ if I remember well. It's still going strong! Sometimes it has advantages not buying the cheapest ones around... Now I'm looking for a new Gentleman's shoulder bag (NOT a rucksack). My present one is also from 2003 and was pretty expensive (I don't remember exactly, but more or less 150€). However, they seem to have disappeared from the shops! I can only see the very small ones, those that one carries on the hand...Strange... Any ideas, preferably not Delveaux???

I responded to your inquiry about a shoulder bag a couple of days ago, but for some reason, it apparently didn't post. I think what you seem to be looking for is called a messenger bag and they show lots of these at amazon.com ; also, they come in a variety of prices and fabrics, but can be worn with shoulder strap. They will ship to this location, and the prices are generally cheaper than paying in euros at the shops here - plus, they have a much wider selection to choose from. Hope this helps.

What would it take to get the high-pitched, ambulance/fire truck siren volumes to be reduced in decibels so we don't all suffer hearing loss?

A petition to the Health minister? (Is there one?)
A petition to the EU headquartered in Brussels?
A petition to the King?
A demonstration in the center?
A conference held and attended by medical personnel to recognize problem?

There is more likelihood I will be struck by lightning than anyone in this apathetic, poorly governed country to simply order that the volumes should be TURNED DOWN SOME.

The total irony is that these vehicles used for saving lives are actually damaging the lives of those subjected to unsafe decibel levels.