Salut from sunny Brussels–noteworthy because a) Belgium is known for rain, rain, beer, chocolate, rain and a peeing boy and b) it is 9pm and the sun will be out for at least another 1 1/2 hours. The sun rises here around 5:30 am and sets around 10:30 pm, awesome for evening bike rides for Dan, not so awesome for the whole sleeping thing. We are getting used to it being light past 11 pm, but haven’t adjusted yet, so getting to sleep before midnight is a challenge for us (which means we have to take lots of walks to the local gelato stand for dessert. It’s a rough life.)
It has been a hot week in Lake Wobegone, sorry, in Brussels. It’s been around 90, which is not hot at all compared to the places we’ve lived in the U.S. (Kansas–I’m looking at you and your 100 degrees) but, it is hot here since anything above 80 constitutes panicked heat advisory warnings and there is no air conditioning anywhere. (And I mean anywhere–like, no air conditioning in the hospital, anywhere.) So, you go from your hot apartment to your stuffy office or your stinky gym or the stifling store and you take the sweltering tram to get there (have I mentioned that a lot of people don’t wear deodorant here?) We bought a fan and have the windows wide open all the time but, since window screens also don’t really exist here we now have a bee convention in our kitchen. It’s awesome. But seriously, enough complaining, it really is great to have summer weather and no rain and drink iced coffees and eat popsicles in the park.
It’s July and in the States that means fireworks and beer on the 4th, which we will be sad to miss. But, in Belgium July means fireworks and beer on the 21st (Belgium National Day, i.e. our 4th) AND it means Sale time! In much of Western Europe, stores do not put things on sale whenever they want, items only go on sale two times a year–January and July. So, twice a year, if you’re willing to brave the crowds, you can actually afford to shop in Brussels. Who’s coming to visit next January?
We have been making some new friends over the past few months, which has been wonderful. However, the actual act of meeting someone and greeting them is fairly stressful here. Why? The kissing. Europeans kiss each other on the cheek when they say hello and goodbye. Great, lovely, très sophistiqué. BUT! Depending on where someone is from you have to decide how many kisses to give and which cheek you start kissing first the left or the right? I thought Belgians kissed once, on the right cheek, but a Flemish Belgian (i.e. Dutch speaking) recently told me that they kiss 3 times (don’t ask me which cheek they start on) so now I’m confused. Maybe Belgians from Wallonia (i.e. French speaking) kiss once and the Flemish Belgians (Flander-ites? Flander-oise? Flemonians?) kiss three times? And that’s just Belgium. I think the French kiss once, and I think it’s the right cheek. I believe the Italians kiss twice, but I think they start on the left cheek? I’m pretty sure the Austrians kiss three times but hell if I know which cheek they start on aaaaand, now I need a drink. If anyone has a how-to guide for cheek kissing please let me know. Or, maybe I need to write one.
Stay tuned…
Happy Early 4th, light a sparkler for me!
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
I know! Some Serbs (and general Balkan peeps) kiss either once, or three times, except when they kiss twice. It is confusing! And to be honest, I never thought about which side to start on so now I wonder if I have been kissing like an ignorant, culturally-insensitive fool, or if we play it fast and loose here….
July 5th, 2009
Hooray for July sales! It’s too bad the Belgium stores can’t provide a cool oasis to the heat but then again, it sounds like some retail therapy will be a good distraction from the high temps!
We just returned from our east coast vacation. Let’s skype soon! xo.
July 6th, 2009
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