I knew that Belgium was going to be different than Canada, but I didn't expect so many differences. This post is all about the differences I have noticed so far and my first of being in the country.
When I was in Canada I never thought twice about flushing the toilet, I just pushed the handle down, and forgot about it, well in Belgium I wish it was that easy. Above the toilet is a large white thing. You have to push down on it to add water to the toilet and I think (or atleast I) push the top of the thing to stop the water. But sometimes you forgot to push the top and it looks like the toilet is going to flood, so I quietly freak out and push the top as fast as I can.
Also door handles, are just something you hold and twist in Canada, well I have never been locked in or out of so many rooms before. I don't know if it is because the handles are old, or what but they turn the opposite direction of the handles in Canada and often take both my handles to turn and open the door.
When I was at both the grocery store and the movie store, I was so surprised when I saw that they sell alcohol at both.
More differences:
-my host family eats dinner late, like at 8pm which was strange for me
-I don't think I'm allowed to wear tank tops out in public without a blazer, cardigan or jacket over, even though it was 21 degress today
-the shower has to handles, one for water pressure,and the other for temperature, and I have yet to washed my hair in water that was not cold, or rinse in water that was not boiling hot...
-my house does not have WiFi, which is bad for me and my facebook addiction, but good for getting rid of my facebook addiction
More First! I tried real Belgian chocolate for the first time yesterday and it was delicious. Note to my parents, that stuff we were buying at Walmart and the Bargain Shop has nothing on the real stuff!
I got my first ever cell phone today! When I was choosing what phone to buy, I was temped to get a blackberry, but I figured that it wont work in Canada so instead I bought one of the cheapest phones there because I only need it for a year. I have no idea how to work the darn thing or how I am supposed to pay for it because it is mostly all in French, but well see how that goes, and I don't know anything about my plan so I don't know if I am able to text and call Canada or not|?
Last night we had some family friends over for dinner, and I became a true Belgian. Yes it is true, I had my first Belgian beer. It was really good! It was cherry flavored and my host sister told me that it is considered a 'girls drink' I think it was kinda like a cooler, but really I have no idea?
After dinner, we went to the video store to rent a movie. Seeing the translations for some of the movies from Canada, I was LOLing hard. Like House Bunny was called, La femme du la masion, which translates into The women of the house. We ended up getting Holes, and I don't know if it was just because I was there or what but we watched it in English with French subtitles!
Yesterday me my host mom Lawerence, and my host sister Louise went to the grocery store. I was more excited when I saw that they had Heniz ketchup, then I was when I met my host family! They also sold strawberry kiwi pop! and the same make up I use in Canada, but at almost double the price.
I don't know if this falls under a first or a difference, but last night there was a thunderstorm and I was ready to scream at the tin roof above my bed!
I'm sure there are a lot more first but I can't think of anymore right now. So until next time, au revoir <3
