Few Things About Belgium-- Good and Bad

Well, I have no other major complaints about living in Belgium except for the crap weather... you see, when it's cold,it's very cold and snow is rare...I seldom see snow during winter... and when it snows, there's traffic jam everywhere! And the snow only last for a couple of days and then back to dry cold temperature that breaks my lips and gives me electric shocks everytime I touch the car door.Now let's talk about summmer... my favorite season... well more or less. I think I prefer the end of spring and start of summer...when bald trees start to have green leaves again and flowers bloom everywhere.But hey, careful, you might go out then boom-- hales of ice as big as pingpong balls if not like corn grains would suddenly fall from the sky! And yes,in summer it's hot... really hot but dryyyy... and when it rains, it really pours " comme une vache qui pisse" ( like a cow that pees) ! lol
Blogging about Belgium weather,I think is just typical for someone who has not encountered such a crap weather before in his entire existence...like many said, only in Belgium... name them--- hundreds of kinds of beer yet many Belgians still drink in moderation, and aahh-- the heavenly Belgian chocolates many tourists claim to be the finest in the world... then added to these records are the best tennis players in the world.What else?... yes! Belgium is the country with the most divorce rate! Then as I said,it has the crappest weather.... but the funniest thing I know about Belgium is- it's known for its popular "Mannekin Pis", a small statue (fountain)of a little boy who pees!From time to time it wears some costume during special holidays.

But seriously, Belgians are also serious with regards to government and politics.Maybe the reason why the UN headquarter is put here. They are serious when it comes to invention. The man who invented the Saxophone is a Belgian.And the actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Belgian for those who don't know.And I said serious because if in Paris they have the Eiffel tower, in Brussels they have the Atomium, a giant replica of an atom.
Ah,all these flowery words about Belgium... but still I would'nt like to stay here all my life. Living in this country of many opportunities is still a sad place of refuge for me. You see, getting along with the Belgians is my other issue aside from the weather.Belgians, you see, do not really consider themselves foremost as Europeans like the Americans feel they are ( even if they are originally Europeans as well hehehe ) Belgians, if compared to a Filipino Scenario are like the Tagalogs and the Bisayas. The Tagalogs feel they are superior than the Bisayas but the Bisayas don't give a shit. They go to Luzon anyway and look for a job-- either they end up as maids or nannies or they become famous singers and actors. Anyway, whatever they do to get a decent job they still don't gain respect from fellow Filipinos because the Tagalogs have this "inferiority complex" ( not all Tagalogs though ) Once they learn you are a Bisaya, they will look down on you like they see their housemaid character in you.And they mock you with your accent when you try to speak their language.Anyway, I'll blog about that when I have time.I'll focus first on Belgian scenario.

In Belgium there are 3 major divisions of their citizens namely, Flamands and Wallon.The 3rd one,Germanophone are not very aggressive with regards to dominance. And so, 2 major language play a role in Belgian government.They both fight for their own rights and for their territories. In Belgian products, it is obligatory to put both Flemish and French translation of their marketing labels and other inscriptions as well as the ingrediesnts.

If you are just a tourist, it's okay if you don't speak their language.They too can speak English... well mostly the Flemish can speak English.But if you want to become a permanent resident, you have to study their language.And knowing that there are 2 languages to learn, well, all I can say is good luck to your Belgian adaptation and welcome to Belgium!