Our first program trip outside of Brussels was to the north to visit the historic city of Bruges, Belgium. No, I have not seen the movie “In Bruges,” but from what I hear about the movie, the city was not quite the same. Nonetheless we did have enjoy the trip. Winding canals, incredibly old buildings, tiny cafes and chocolate shops… We saw Michaelangelo’s Madonna and Child which was his only statue to leave Italy during his lifetime. Bruges also has a tabernacle with what is claimed to be Christ’s blood.
Of all the sights Bruges had to offer, the group spent the most time at the Halve Maan brewery (my vote was for the Convent, but I guess we can’t always win). We took a tour through the aged brewery and learned all about how beer is made. The incredibly narrow steps eventually took us to the top for an amazing view over the city. Best of all, the tour ended with a free sample for all of our hard work climbing the stairs.
This week we had our interviews for our European Union related internships in Brussels. While the 17 of us were competing against each other to some extent, everyone seems pretty pleased with where they ended up. I am going to be working for a non-profit think tank right near the European Commission on EU budgetary policy and economic integration. First day is on Tuesday!
It feels like just a few days since I arrived, and I am amazed at how great everything has been so far - the orientation, the internship process, the travel, the homestay, and of course, the people on the program. They have made it a very fun few weeks here and it is great to really get to know some new people.
More Brussels Bits:
(I apologize in advance for those who don’t like reading snippets of random thoughts – this is apparently what Facebook has done to my mind!)
While my French is still horribly non-existent, my Franglish is rapidly improving.
Just as I was getting a grip on French basics, I ran into some Dutch speakers (Julia, teach me your language!).
The other day a gentleman offered to hang my coat on a "hook**". Makes me wonder what types of things I am accidentally saying in French.
Cherry beer is amazing.
Putting fruit in beer actually has a historical basis. Centuries ago, Belgians needed ways to preserve the extra fruit harvest, so they put it in their beers to keep it fresh throughout the year.
However, bananas beer has no historical basis, as Belgium has never grown bananas. Banana beer is a recently invented tourist trap for suckers like me who will have anything banana flavored.
Cookie beer is a similar tourist trap, and does not taste as good as it may sound.
Cookie beer is a similar tourist trap, and does not taste as good as it may sound.
Each type of beer has to be served in a uniquely shaped glass.
There is more dog doo-doo on the streets here. I can’t tell whether it’s because there’s more dogs or whether less people pick it up (Warning to anyone who comes to visit).
By the end of the semester, I will be happy if I have figured out the difference between the European Council, the Council of the European Union, and the Council of Europe.
Private government meetings will be leaked only if there are two interpreters in the room. The officials blame one of the interpreters, that interpreter blames the other interpreter, and nobody knows who leaked.
I can walk to the European Parliament from my house (unfortunately, this does not make me an expert on the European Parliament).
Maybe it's just me but I like snippets of random thought (or lists). Sometimes it's easier to read than just big blocks of text. I'm glad that you're having a blast over there - not to mention that much of your list is about beer. :)
ReplyDeleteYou and the banana flavoring, srsly.
ReplyDelete