Comments | solaniisrex: Been a While

solaniisrex

Been a While

Jun 05, 2013 13:24

It looks like I haven't posted in over a year now. A lot of things have changed since then. First off, I've moved. Not very far, but still a move to a new city and a new job. When last I posted I was working at a little radar station in Glons, Belgium (right where Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands all meet). A few months ago I moved up to ( Read more... )

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rhyska June 9 2013, 04:45:54 UTC

Hey Rex :) Welcome back to LJ! Dude, I'm super jealous that you live in Belgium!!!! I always liked living off base better than on. Made life interesting. You lovin' Brussels?

solaniisrex June 13 2013, 08:30:08 UTC

Brussels is great! I've been learning the ins and outs of the metro system so I don't have to drive through the downtown. There's plenty to do, and it's very international. Just going to the grocery store I get to listen to at least four or five different languages.

rhyska June 14 2013, 07:33:11 UTC

That sounds awesome! Is the primary language in Belgium French? You've been in Europe awhile now. What languages are the most helpful to know?

solaniisrex June 14 2013, 09:02:19 UTC

Belgium has three official languages. Dutch, French, and German. It's split up with 56% Dutch-speaking (in the North), 38% French (in the South), and the rest German (a few cities in the East). This causes some problems, too. The French and Dutch speakers don't like speaking the other language. Of course, Brussels isn't only the capital of Belgium, it's also the capital of the European Union, so between that and the large NATO presence, you've got a city that's pretty much a healthy mix of everyone with every language. I even overhear people speaking Japanese often times in the subways.

As for which languages are most helpful. I've found that German has been pretty useful. Not just for Germany itself, but that Dutch is close enough (I've often thought of it as poorly spelled German) that I'm usually able to read the signs, bills, menus, etc. Of course, English is also spoken by about two out of every three people, you just have to be careful 'cos they learn British English, so there's still plenty of room for confusion.

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