If we would like to be completely accurate then these were not the “first full three months”, because I have already lived in this wonderful city before for more than three months. So technically these were the “second first full three months” if you understand my reasoning.
Has this time been any different from the one back in 2018? Yes, it has, oh, boy, it has. I will not compare my employment positions, since the difference there is like day and night (employment contract > traineeship contract), but instead, I would like to emphasize the little things. Like a cheese shop that I enjoy very much and so on.
This lovely cheese shop is called “Catherine” and it is considered the best cheese shop (fromagerie) in Brussels. I do recommend it.
I come from a country where everyone has moved to supermarkets. At least in my hometown, you will not find a shop where only cheese or only meat, or only just bread is sold. If you want meat or cheese, or bread – you simply go to the supermarket. Yes, once in a while you can find a food truck where a local (or not so local) farmer sells his produce and then you might find something to your liking. But those chances are slim.
Whereas here you can easily find a cheese shop with the best cheese of various kinds, you have a meat shop with the most magnificent things meant to be consumed, and so on. And this is the difference between my time here before as a trainee and now. Also now I like to cook, and I like to taste and try new things much more than I did before. Back then I did not take advantage of being in Brussels, of being in Western Europe where the food culture is advanced and where people consider good food as one of the great pleasures of life.
This article is called “First full three months in Brussels”, you can be sure that there is going to be an article titled “First full three years in Brussels” as well.
Kind regards,
Olaaf
P.S. I thought I would never say this, but I do enjoy a good glass of Chartreuse. After my first three (second edition) months back in Brussels I understand why the French are so proud of this drink. Yes, you can’t buy it in Latvia or anywhere near Latvia.
