That's Belgium

We aren't quite yet to the point where we can say, "Yep, that's Belgium", or "That's the Belgian way", or as our Ex-Pat friend, Tina, would say, "That's how they roll in Belgium!" without getting a little annoyed. It's very difficult to move from a country where almost everything is instantaneous to a country where many major things have been taking us about three tries to complete. Let's tally up the scorecard, shall we?

1. Phone company: 4 appointments
2. Air container: 1 appointment
3. Package delivery: 3 failed attempts (1 package lost...still not recovered)
4. Rental furniture: 1 appointment
5. Belgian ID cards: 3 trips
6. Belgian driver's licenses: 3 trips
7. My car: Will be 4 trips for me, 3 for Brian
8. Sea container: 1 appointment
9. T.V./DVD player: So far, 2 trips (will probably be 2 more, at least)

And, by the way, our ID cards and licenses, don't really deserve those terms. They are really just some flimsy cardstock that take up a lot of space in our wallets and will be rendered useless if they get wet (which is likely since it rains here so often). It really is quite funny. I don't think the citizens are given these little "beasts", but we are because they are "temporary" cards and we are temporary residents.

Just so you know, I make an oath right now to never complain about U.S. DMV's ever again! The workers and the wait may be a little unsavory at times, but at least you get a durable card and you actually get the thing (usually) without needing to come back another time.