Sights and Sounds of Belgium...

Life in a different country can be the ultimate challenge in many ways. Scholars have coined the term "culture shock" to describe the feeling. Needless to say that the experience is shocking but also interesting. Its all a matter of perspective.

For me, the relocation to Belgium was a combination of both these emotions. I was happy to see a new country and experience new cultures & traditions. At the same time, it was a personal blow to be away from family and friends and the society I belonged to. I still miss the warmth of old friends, my work, familiar destinations and the country that I call 'my own'.

For those coming from hot and sunny countries such as India, Belgian weather is a dampner. The skies are mostly grey and rainy. The howling winds keeps you trapped inside your home. It takes great effort to ward off the depressing emotions associated with this climate. I am now waiting for the sunny summer respite.

The architechture and sights of Belgium more than makes up for the unpleasant weather. I have seen some of the most magnificient structures in the world right here in Belgium. Many of the buildings are grand and magnificient. I am captivated by the renaissance-style statues and carvings. The cobble stone roads and narrow streets transport me to an ancient period. The entire place feels like a leaf out of a history text-book detailing the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Art History. There is an over-abundance of museums in the country specialising in subjects ranging from the most obvious to the definitely obscure.

The Grand Place is one such monument in Brussels and is the town hall building of Brussels. I was fortunate enough to see the decorated building during christmas festivities. There was an immense crowd of visitors thronging the enclosed space at that time giving the entire light-show the feel of a carnival. The sight was spectacular and one of the best christmas decorations I have seen in my life-time.

The public transport in Belgium offers efficient and cheap travel options . The cities are well-connected. The buses, trams and the metro are integrated to provide a comfortable travel experience. I found the transport a little strange at first since transport from one place to another sometimes required using all the modes available. A short distance might need travel on the bus, tram, train and/or the metro. I am not known for my ability to figure out road directions. So, I a beginner in terms of deciphering Belgian public transport.

I did visit some of the cities in Belgium including Brugges and Antwerp. Antwerp has the trade-mark, old-world charm of Belgium. I was impressed by the distinct architecture, grand cathedrals and public squares. The city is the second largest in Belgium and lies strategically on the banks of the River Scheldt. This port city is a centre of commerce and economically significant as the seat of the Belgian diamond industry. The various museums include the Diamond Museum, National Maritime Museum, Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Fashion Museum.

Brugges is another famous Belgian tourist spot known for its canals, gabled houses and winding streets. This city is aptly called the 'Venice of the North' due to it's canal system. The city is preserved in all its beauty for all those who wish to take a peek into the past. This is one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/996) famed for medieval architechture and historic settlement.

Belgium is not all immersed in the past despite the old structures and architecture. Even the ancient buildings are conveniently restored and have all the modern ammenities. I am amazed to see that some of the most powerful organizations of present day are based out of Belgium. The most famous of is the European Union and associated agencies in Brussels. This definitely marks Brussels as the power-house of Europe since many important decisions are made here. Similarly, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also operates out of Brussels. I am always stunned to read the NATO placards on buses and to look at the modern NATO complex in Brussels. I secretly wonder if it really refers to the same NATO I hear about in the newspapers, internet and in TV news reports.

The difference in language is what makes the country difficult to live in. Belgium is officially bilingual with French & Dutch as the official languages. The same place or street in Belgium can be referred to by two or more names. This makes life miserable especially for the foreigner in Belgium. Some parts of the country rely on French more and the other on Flemish/Dutch. The confused english-speaking people are somewhere in the middle trying to make sense of any of these languages.

For those living in Belgium, at least a slight understanding of either French or Dutch is mandatory. The supermarkets are lined with products labelled only in French or Dutch. The official communication and billing (house rent, electicity, gas, telecom) are all done in either of these two languages. I have successfully managed to grasp enough of French to understand what I read. However, I have miles to go before I can start conversing to the native speakers here.

Sometimes, the words become clearer to me a few minutes after it is spoken. By that time, the speaker would have disappeared after figuring out that I am either dumb or deaf. I had a very nice lady telling me about choosing pine-apples in the super-market the other day. As usual, I understood the conversation late. I did manage to give a wide grin to prove my friendliness but she must have come to any of the deaf or dumb conclusions by then.

Another time, I tried in vain to ask a super-market employee for green chillies because I couldn't locate it anywhere in the vegetalbe shelves. He consulted all his colleagues and still could not figure out what I wanted. Then I realized that I should pick up useful French vocabulary. That is still continuing and it is a relief to be able to know the French equivalents of common items. I can now understand bits and pieces of conversations. I am sure that my language will just improve over time. Hopefully, I will be one more language richer when I leave this country.

Undoubtedly, there are difficulties in leaving home and living in a distant land. But there are overwhelming positives as well. I believe that I can understand cultures and view-points better after this experience. I also hope that this will enrich my life and improve my personality. Life is definitely challenging with all the liguistic and cultural barriers here in Belgium. Yet, the novelty of it is enticing and opens a new window to the world.