Settling In

So far so good! I am completely moved in to my apartment, enjoying the sights, and already having my fair share of tasty Belgian delights. My roommate is a really great guy, we share a lot of common interests, and thankfully he knows a tad bit of French. I really love the city, it is incredibly beautiful. You have to see it to believe it!

As you can imagine, there are some huge differences living in a city that is very different than Aledo, TX or Lubbock.

I've learned a few lessons so far:
1. Learn French before you come
2. Get use to walking
3. Public transit sucks
4. European power outlets do not like American appliances (shorted out my fan, shut off the entire electricity for my building
5.Charge your phone before going out (phone died halfway on my trip to Aalst, wandered around for 4 hours trying to find my bike shop, then prayed I could remember my bus route)
6. French "R's" are really hard to pronounce
7. Bring your own bags to grocery store and plan on walking a quarter mile with whatever you buy
8. Buses stop running at midnight. Had to 3 miles all the way back from Grand Place.
9. Nothing is open on Saturday or Sunday...except bars
10. Kids love to loiter on the streets and drink beer
11. I keep getting mysterious bites all over my legs
12. I will never tight skinny pants like the guys here in Belgium
13. French wine and Belgian beer at the grocery store is sooooo cheap.
14. I miss my car, my dishwasher, my tv, and cell phone service

                                   (the view from my balcony, all buildings must have a different color)

I've made many friends already, from all across the US and the world (met some interesting Swedes in Grand Place). Orientation starts today. I'm super excited to meet my other classmates!