Belgium "a strange Country?"

Perhaps the word "different “ is more appropriate. Although it is the home of Tin Tin (Dutch = Kuifje), this little man never spoke a word of Belgian because a Belgian language does not exist.

In the north they speak Flemish which is better Dutch than the Dutch speak in Holland and the same rule applies here as in Western Scandinavia, where a Dutch person can decipher the local language fairly easily.

The written Flemish language is perfect Dutch - until a “Flem" starts to talk to you - when the first word may be "Allez!" which is French, and the rest sounds like a totally foreign language. So it is much easier to frown and communicate in English.

While on the subject of English, I think, almost without exception, everyone in Holland speaks English or at least some English. Even my old Mum (when she was still alive) could speak some English because all movies and foreign programs on TV are subtitled - which is learning in automatic mode.

In Australia we call sprouts “Brussels Sprouts”. In Holland they just call a sprout a sprout, and probably would wonder what Brussels had to do with it. Naming products almost never reflects its true identity. The slogan “Edamse kaas is beter “(Edam cheese is better) was used in Holland for many years. Slogans like that make me think “Better than what?” - and what is Edam cheese anyway? I have seen locally made “Edam” cheese in China, Russia and many other countries. Only the name on the pack says Edam, for the rest there is no relation to the Dutch made Edam cheese at all. So in this case, “Edam cheese is better” may mean better than all the other Edam cheeses around the world.

Allez! (Ok) back to the Belgians.

In Australia, the country of “Belgium” is synonymous with Chocolate and Waffles, in Holland with Belgian Jokes and Flemish Chips. In Holland the Flemish Hot Chips are well liked as is evident by the many signs advertising “Vlaamse Frieten” which, incidentally, are almost twice the size of normal chips. However back in Belgium if you go the a snackbar and ask for “Vlaamse Frieten” they look at you a bit bewildered and serve you normal chips.

A long time ago French soldiers saw French speaking Belgians eating chips and called them French Fries - that is where that came from and has nothing to do with hot chips the French way.

In Australia we enjoy Irish jokes, In Holland they have Belgian jokes - usually about how easy Belgians are fooled.
Some examples:
1/ How do you drive a Belgian nuts? Put them in a circular room and tell them they will find a bag of hot chips in every corner!
2/ Why does a Belgian remove his glasses at a Police breath testing check point? Two glasses less to declare!
3/ How does a Belgian insulate a chicken coop? He uses a double row of chicken wire.
4/ Look at a milk carton, near the top is states; "Open Here". In Belgium is says; "Open at Home"

Of course the Belgians have a comeback with Dutch jokes about how the Dutch try to save money.

1/ A Dutchman goes with a friend to a cafe and orders: 1 Coca cola and two straws please.
2/ Heading in a newspaper: "Accident in Holland between 2 taxis: 22 persons injured"
3/ Cheaper Dutch tomato soup - Water on a red coloured plate.
And, finally, Why do a Dutchmen take a bags of hay to bed? To feed their nightmares!

Ok, what's left? Chocolates, Beer, Highways, and the Royal palace.
Belgium produces an average of 220.000 tons of chocolate a year. No wonder there is a shortage of cocoa beans around the word. These are production figures otherwise you would see everyone eating chocolate in the streets (if there was any room left for walking)

There are over 150 breweries producing more than 1000 different beers in Belgium. When ordering a beer you need to be specific as many serve beer only in its own branded glass.

To the Astronauts who visited the moon, Belgium was clearly visible due to the amount of light emitted from the light posts along all the highways and freeways around the country. All major roads are lit all night.

Finally: It is a well known fact outside Europe that the seat of the European Union Government is in Belgium. However, not many people would know anything about the Belgian Royal family. Although they don’t seem all that important, they do live in a palace 1 ½ times the size of Buckingham palace.

The Belgian people are friendly and outgoing and are very approachable. (I know as I have some great friends there). I spent a few days riding around the Belgian countryside and the cities of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. I reported that the “lovely country smell” in Holland was caused by the abundance of cow manure. In Belgium I spent some time in the triangle Brugge, Gent and the town of Lichtervelde.

Buzzing around the country side, you can’t help but noticed that the major income of this area comes from the raising of pigs as the air is pungent by the smell of pig manure.

For people “doing Western Europe” Belgium is a must; there is nothing really strange about it...except.... well...err...