Belgium is Complicated

Did you know Belgium is a bilingual country? I didn't... The country has 3 communities: French-speaking, Dutch-speaking, and German-speaking. There are 3 regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital. The French people live in Wallonia and the Dutch people live in Flanders The Wallonians and Flemish do not get along and have political tensions all the time.

This is the main reason as to why people have no idea what Belgium is all about- Belgium seems to have no solid identity.

Brussels, Belgium

Well, what is there to say about Belgium other than that they have great chocolates, beer, and waffles?



I'll get back to you on that........

Amsterdam

My first train ride alone was to Amsterdam to meet my friends from high school last weekend. I had a marvelous time- the most marvelous time of my life perhaps. When I arrived, I caught the tram (street car) to the hostel. The hostel was disgusting because it was mixed (male and female), 8 bunks, and dirty. 55 euro a night, expensive huh? Taylor, Adelina, and Natalie were in the room waiting for me. I was really happy to see familiar faces that I have a history with. We went to a coffee shop first, of course.
Coffee shop experience was a memorable one. You walk out of the coffee shop like you just committed some kind of crime, it is bizarre. Majority of the people inside are men, go figure.
At night, we went to the Red Light District. It is a must-see! The women stand behind glass cases in underwear and pretend to be models, they even suck their cheeks in- the ones on their face. We walked along in awe, giggling like little girls.