Highs and Lows of Expatriate Life in Brussels, Belgium

Expatriate life is full of ups and downs. It is like a pendulum of emotions oscillating between towering mountains and abysmal pits.

I am desperate to find a middle ground. I am yearning for a place of comfort. At times, I find it for a short moment but that solace never lasts very long.

Here is a list of the highs and lows of living among strangers in a very curious place:

What I like the most about Life in Brussels...

• Living with my husband - I like the small joys and pains of family life. I delight in our companionship. I despair at our slight disagreements. After all, life is this mixture of experiences.
• Quiet Surroundings - Belgium is a very quiet country where people value silence. It is quality living at its best.
• Random Wanderings - I like moving around in Belgium. It can be just a walk around the neighbourhood or trip to a friend's house. It can be visits to a shopping mall. It may even be hopping to tourist destinations. I enjoy all the outings just the same.
• Cleanliness - There is greenery all around. The roads are neat. The neighbourhoods are well planned and carefully laid out. Best of all, the country is littered with parks loaded with fresh air.
• Environmentally Conscious - Garbage is meticulously sorted to ensure recycling and reusing. Shops generally do not give out plastic or paper bags. Customers are expected to bring their own carts and bags. No where else have I seen such a level of concern for the environment.
• Integrated Transport System - The buses, trams, metros, trains, flights all operate in a coordinated manner within Belgium and also with respect to the rest of Europe. You will never get stranded in Belgium without any mode of transport. The credit goes to the efficient public transport system of this country.
• Everything is Online - You can chart your journey on the public transport system websites, check your flight status, book your tickets and even do your shopping online in Belgium. Most of the forms and notices can be downloaded from the internet. The list is endless. Technology is exploited very well in Belgium.
• Healthcare - Public health infrastructure is excellant and dependable. That itself is a major relief for those living abroad.
• The Royal Touch - The Belgian royal family plays an important part in the country's history. There are palaces, churches, gardens, pavilions, parks and other monuments all around the country dedicated to the family that still rules the Kingdom of Belgium (Le Royaume de Belgique).

What I Dislike about Belgium...

• Confusion - The country is slightly schizophrenic. The roads signs are confusing and in different languages (mainly French and Dutch). All the landmarks, buildings and streets have names in the two official languages. The people speak either of these languages or a combination. English is not very widely used. Public notices, bills, offices etc. use either of the languages. It is all very confusing to an outsider.
• Bureaucracy - There is a huge amount of paper work and procedures for anything and everything. Foreigners are subjected to this systematic torture due to the elaborate functioning of bureaucracy. It feels like the commune (town administrative unit) keeps a tab on all your movements.
• Weather - The climate is a major dampner. The days are cold and morose. The skies are grey and depressing on most days. It rains sporadically every now and then. The weather makes one want to stay indoors all the time.

What I Miss about India...

• I miss the feeling of being home. I search my mind for memories of the colourful imagery and variety of people of India.
• I miss my family. I wish I could spend time with them more often especially for family occasions. Everyone just about becomes a voice at the other end of the telephone when you are living overseas.
• I always wish I could have continued working. I know this would have been possible if I was home.
• I would have heard from my friends more often if I was in India. It is easy to maintain contacts over the internet...but I am sure I would have been part of a closer-knit community in India.

Expat life is not challenging without these hurdles. Neither is it amusing without the many simple pleasures. That is why I say it is a blend of highs and lows.