Reflections on Relocation: Part 1
This is the first of two articles, written five months to the day since we arrived in Belgium, in which J and I compare the experience of living in Britain with that of Belgium. Having discussed a range of subjects, we divided them between us. In this first part, I cover some of my thoughts: Beverages Two [...] More about Reflections on Relocation: Part 1
Reflections on Relocation: Part 2
In this the second of two articles, written five months after our arrival in Belgium, J compares the experience of living in Britain with that of Belgium: We miss… Source: Jeremy Keith (Wikimedia) Fish and Chips, say no more J will be “forever nostalgic about the many nights I feasted on portions of hot vinegared and salted chips, swathed [...] More about Reflections on Relocation: Part 2
Totally wired for Belgium
We’re both working now and an embryonic daily routine has started. Some kind of normality, albeit a new and fresh one, is creeping into our daily lives. And to function effectively in our daily lives, we need to have a solid grasp of the basics. Supermarkets As an Information Designer, I’m used to working with hierarchies. Hierarchies [...] More about Totally wired for Belgium
Relocating to Brussels: the final haul
Before I begin Some folks have weighed in with the assertion that my coverage of Flemish terms has not been as comprehensive as my coverage of French terms. Whilst I would enjoy an open discussion about the “language crisis” in what some people like to call Belgium and others Flanders-Wallonia-ThatOtherBit, it cannot be denied that Brussels [...] More about Relocating to Brussels: the final haul
Buying soap (and the accretion of experience)
Buying soap in Brussels on a Sunday is difficult. I hadn’t even brought my wallet but J had Visa. In default of one and finding none of the other open on a Sunday, the omens were black. You need to have cash or else a store big enough to accept Visa. This all started because - who’d [...] More about Buying soap (and the accretion of experience)
Maisons de maître (and other buildings)
During my early wanderings around the city, I’ve been taking photos of maisons de maître, trying to capture the definitive style of these rather lovely houses. Many of the most distinctive examples can be found in the district of Schaerbeek, to the north west of Brussels city centre. Schaerbeek’s townhouses exhibit the classic Flemish style, whilst [...] More about Maisons de maître (and other buildings)
Early days in Brussels
Brussels is now our new home. It’s also home to just over a million other folks and the capital of two unions, one of which is barely holding together as a nation these days. The old town is heart-shaped, girded by a ring road that roughly follows the line of the old city walls. Architecture inside the [...] More about Early days in Brussels
Leaving the UK
The things you own end up owning you - Tyler Durden, Fight Club Competition: where did we relocate to? Win a box of chocs When you’re upping sticks, there’s something unsettling about selling off your furniture on eBay. On the one hand, your imperative is to travel light whilst on the other you still catch yourself hoping [...] More about Leaving the UK
