Spanish attitude to studying

Last two weeks were filled with projects. Two of them I had with group where one of the member was Spanish. Each time I wasn't content about his part of work. Everyone knows that Spanish aren't very good in English. So when the Spanish boy showed us what he had done, we knew that it was copied from one of the Internet page (probably Wikipedia). Different people talked with him that he can't do it and he has to change it. The boy was very patient and corrected his part every time we wanted. But I couldn't understand why this situation is repeated.

Once, he explained me and everything became clear. In Spain, students can copy text when they do projects. This is the reason why he couldn't understan our expectations. There is some kind of permission from professors. It's very strange for me and it's witness of lower level of education in that part of Europe. But I can't criticise it because I don't know more about education system. Since that conversation, I've seen that every Spanish student copied something at least once and other students who have to cooperate with them, have problem with it. But for them it's normal behaviour. It's one of norms which is acceptable for everyone in Spain.

French fries

Last week I had bought freezed french fries. I hadn't eought place in my fridge so I put them to the fridge in common kitchen. After one day when I wanted to prepare them I saw a sheet of paper with information that it's forbidden to do it. I really couldn't find a reason of this so I went to our caretaker and asked her about it. She told me that there is no possibility to prepare fries because in the kitchen there isn't an oven and she can't make her own available to us. I said that it's not a problem because I want to prepare them on a frying pan. As soon as I finished explain it, she looked at me like on crazy person. I saw in her eyes question: "Are you crazy?! Fries on the frying pan!!! Unacceptable!!". But she said nothing and I could do my fries in the easiest way I know.

Later, I told all story to my boyfriend and he also wasn't very convinced in my recipe and culinary skills. He said that fries are usually prepared on the oven or fries machine. For me it's not a big deal to do fries on frying pan but for Belgian people it seems to be very important thing. They pay special attention on quality and taste of fries. I have never thought about specific taste of fries. I haven't felt big difference when they were prepared on the oven, frying pan or fries machine. Fries are one of "symbol" of Belgium so I believe that they are pro in preparing them.

Strenght of domicile culture - second biggest shock

From some time I have been searching one book. Unfortunatelly I didn't find it in any library in Gent so when there was an opportunity to go to Brussel again I decided to try one more time. I didn't want to buy this book because it was quite expensive and I just wanted to see what is inside it. My friend showed me the website where I could check if the book is the library. Finally I found it in the library of Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

The campus was quite big so I asked a student where can I find the library. She was very nice and she told me that she show me the way. We talked a little and when she learned about my issue she decided to help me and ask the librarian (in Dutch) if I can borrow the book. Unfortunatelly there was no possibility to borrow anything by me because I wasn't a student of their University.

And then the girl came up with idea that she can take the book and give it to me for one day. I asked her if it's not a problem but she assured me that no. I was shocked because she didn't know me at all. She trusted me so much that I couldn't believe it. I asked her how it's possible and if she isn't afraid that I would steal the book. The girl told me that it's a question of attitude. She trusts people and she believes that if she is so kind to people, they will behave in the same way towards her. So if she did me so big favour, I would feel obligated to turn it back. And I have to admit that she is right, at least in my case. Even when I'm thinking about it now, it seems to be like a scene from a movie for me. She has seen me for the first time in her life, she knew that I live in Gent but even thought she trusted me. All way to my home in Brussel I couldn't believe what had happened.

In my country this situation would have never happened, I think that in most of countries. People rather aren't so trustfull. Polish people could even say that the girl was very naive and they would feel sorry for her. But I'm glad that I had a chance to meet her. She has left a mark somewhere inside me that I would like also trust more other people.

Next day I met her again to bring back the book. We've decided to stay in touch so it was really nice adventure with happy end :)

By the way, the girl wasn't Belgian, but she come from Iraq. It's very good example of how country's culture and parents nurture affect on people's behaviour even if they live in different country.

Luxemburg - the well-being country

On Saturday with friends I was visiting Luxemburg. I hadn’t been really convinced if in this country is something interesting to see. When I was in Bruxelles first time, I visited Mini-Europe and I remember that from Luxemburg they show only one bridge as the most value thing from the country. But after our trip, I change my mind about it. The topography of the capital is very surprising because it is very mountainous. There are a lot of bridges and viaducts and gulfs are very deep. That can impressed. Especially that there is much ruins of defence wall or castle. Strange thing is that in the capital, there wasn’t many cars. Maybe because of the weekend.  

The biggest impression for me was that Luxemburg is very rich country. SOME of the prices for social services are so low that it seems to be joke. For example, in the city they have Velo Service. It’s totally the same as in Bruxelles that you can borrow city bike for money and leave it in special zones. So in Bruxelles the daily cost of borrow the bike is 1,5e. In Luxeburg for one week you pay 1e!!! That shocked me very much and I couldn’t believe it. I tried to find some catch in their system but no success. I’ll mention also that annual cost of Velo is only 15e. The prices of  public transport are also lower – the single fare ticket cost 1,5e and you can use it for 2 hours (in Gent – 1,8e/1h). Most of museums are also free of charge. I’m wondering where they collect money for all this things because I had heard that their taxes are also quite low. I could also compare the prices of products in supermarket and they are similar to the Belgian prices. The biggest difference in prices I found in prices of houses and apartments. In Luxemburg they are very high. 

The second thing I examined were languages. In Luxemburg, there are three official languages: Louxemburgish, French and German. In the capital we found shops with products in French and German, but I didn’t see the third language at all. Most of people that we asked about sth, spoke French. So my conclusion is that French is the main language of Luxemburg. Many people know also English. Communication with local people wasn’t very hard. Although there was one young girl who didn’t know meaning of world fan in English and French language. I liked Luxemburg very much and I’m curious more about their life style and country system.

"Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day"

After non-successful effort of finding a church with polish masses, I decided to go on mass in English to the Church on St. Pieter’s Square. Inside the church I asked a priest about English mass and he not only confirmed it but also introduced me to other Polish people. He told me that usually English mass is in the Chapel but today it would be in main church and it would be two-language mass. I didn’t understand it until it started. 

There were 3 priest and 3 priest assistants. On both sides of altar were two ambos. Near each was standing one priest during almost all mass. One of them was speaking in Dutch and the other one was speaking in English. Unfortunately the English part was shorter and not every time after the Dutch part. The homily was read by “civil” woman from the sheet of paper and only in national language.  I was wondering if she had prepared it by herself or by the priest because in my country the speech is told only by priest. But songs during the mass were in different languages, I recognized English, Dutch, German and Italian. The priests used very often incense. I really like the smell of it but even for me it was a little too much and I sneezed once or twice. I think that favorite part for people is the sign of peace time. Everyone were very open with it. They were passing the church to show it and even priests went from the altar to people to give them hand. In Poland this moment is rather symbolic and people just give hands themselves. Here some of people gave cheek kiss. What is more surprising, during the most important part (changing wine into Jesus blood), they don’t kneel but they sit. Strange custom.

During the mass, some of the children were drawing sth. That was shock for me because church isn’t proper place for such behavior in my opinion, it’s not kindergarten. But later, near the entrance of the church I saw that there is a basket with pencils and Christian picture to draw and religious books for children. So that means the priests accept it and even encourage a little for this kind of behavior. I’m wondering what is their real purpose of it: keep silence, nice association with church for children…

There was one more unusual thing I want to mention about. During the mass there was a small show prepared by Hindi guest (maybe priest as well but I’m not sure) who through the dance show us different view on ways of praying. It was interesting, especially that the man was wearing original traditional outfit - ornamental loose trousers and many jewelry on his neck and feet. I saw that the priests were interested in this show quite strong.

All mass evokes a smile on my face because it was so different than I had expected. So my advice after this happening – if you want to see and experience sth interesting, go to a church :p

Belgian Dinner

Yesterday I was invited on dinner by family of my boyfriend's friend in Bruxelles. The dinner was soon for me, we were supose to be at his house about 13 o'clock. Usually I eat my dinner between 16-17 o'clock, because I go to sleep rather late. My boyfriend had told me that it's only friend visit so I shouldn't be nervous, even if they know only French. That day I ate small breakfast to have enough space for the meal.

When we arrived, we were very warm welcomed. Then the head of the family invited us to the living room where were the rest of the family. Our friend's mother told us that the dinner would be in hour. I was very surprised because I didn't know what we would be doing till that time. I was wondering why they had invited us so early. And then the mother brought all tray with some starters. The father offered us different drinks and we sat and started talking. Later my boyfriend explained me that they treated me like real guest so it was some kind of "tradicional" dinner. First was aperitif and later the meal.

The starters were small snack with some sea food, I recognised fish and pasta with crab and something more. My drink contained an orange juice with fruit and alcohol called Safari. It was quite sweet but good in taste. I tried to follow the conversation but unfortunately my french isn't so good to understand everything. But with my boyfriend's help we communicate somehow. And they didn't make me feel uncomfortable because of lack knowledge of french. After an hour, there was time for a meal. On dinner was some meat (I don't know how it's called), puree and three kind of salad. One of them was greek salad. And to drink was juice or red wine. Then was second meal what surprised me even more. On the second course were shrmps in special souce. I'm not a fan of sea food but it was really delicious. And later was time for dessert - apple pie with coffee or tea. It was so much food that I was really full. We were talking about 30 minutes and then our friend's family left us alone to spend some time together. Summing up all dinner lasted about 3-4 hours!!

It was nice experience althought I had thought that only in France is that kind of order during meals (first aperitif, then main course, second course, dessert). My boyfriend told me that they usually don't do this, that they eat theirs meal like others people. But when there is an important event, holiday or guest they prepare special dinner. I think that this custom of dinning can be affected by France. Firstly, France is one of the neighbours of Belgium. Secondly, there was period in history when France had an impact on Belgium (1794-1815).

Halloween!!

The weekend was a little crazy because there were two special parties. First of them was Halloween Party prepared by girl from the United States. This was my first party like that because in my country we have totally different tradiction.  In Poland people are very religious. In the beginning of November we have All Souls' Day (Zaduszki) and All Saints' Day (Wszystkich Świętych). During there days Polish people go to churches to pray for their dead relatives and they visit graveyards. It's time of reflection and memoirs.

So back to the party. It was in american climate. Everyone wore some scary costumes and make-up. There were some vampires, a witch, pirates, animals etc. The best costume was Shrek :D And I was a mumie. At the party was very loud and funny. Everybody had great humor and we were laughting all the time. There were also dance and typical american games. One of them was beer pong. I've known this game from Americans movies or series like Greek with brotherhoods and sororities. So it was piece of something what we call in Poland "American Dream". In this game players don't use rackets but they try to throw the ball into plastic cup with beer. Then the loser has to drink it and they play as long as nothing will leave. I tried it but it was really difficult to hit the target. But I have to admit that it was funny :) I don't know the name of the second game but in this one there were two teams. Players stood in front of their enemies. It was a little like a race which team drinks beer faster. After one person drank his cup, he had to turn in upside-down in special way (which I can't exactly explained). Then the next one could do the same thing.  With this game, there were a lot of volontiers and fun.
There was also special punch made of apples, juice and alcohol. I don't know all ingredient but I'll ask the cook for recipe because it was delicious!!

In conclusion, I can say that it was really pleasant party and very interesting experience. American style is so different than mine. In Poland there are also some Halloween parties but I don't think they are similar to this one. I'd like to repeat it some day.

In Gent, on this Friday, there is a Halloween Party at Porter House so we'll see how it is in Belgian style :p

Kindness

One of the first thing which I remarked when I arrived to Belgium was people behaviour. It's very important for me and I admit that I pay special attention on this (especially when I'm abroad). Yesterday happened something unexpected. My friend and I went to railway station because I wanted to help her with buying a ticket. When we asked for the ticket to airport in Charleroi, we forgot mention that it's the ticket for next day. Only when we got the new printed ticked, we saw our mistake. I was ashamed because I expected that the lady in the counter would be angry as well as people who were behind us. At once I started to apologize her but she wasn't angry or irritated. She took back the wrong ticket and gave us the right one. People behind us were also relaxed.

Here in Belgium people are more tolerant. In Poland, in this situation, there would be complaints from the saleswoman and others passengers. Sometimes you can even hear something unpleasant. So it's nice when people are cool and aren't angry when you do some mistake.

Weekend in Amsterdam

This weekend my friends and me were on trip In Amsterdam. I have to admit that it was really interesting and full of adventure visit. I won’t tell about everything but I want to share about two totally different image of Dutch people I’ve learned during this short stay.

Firstly, the Dutch drivers are worse than Polish (and I’ve thought it’s impossible :p). We’ve just left the railway station and a tram has almost hit us. The driver saw us but he didn’t slow down. He even didn’t honk! Maybe 2 m further, there was a cycle way where cyclist has also almost hit us. That’s true that we didn’t see if something is coming but we were on pedestrian line. After some time I remarked that 50% or even more drivers honked us, and only 5% let us pass the street. The drivers  in Netherlands were very unkind. In my opinion the passers-by are situated the lowest in hierarchy of objects using the streets :/ In Gent is totally different. The drivers are nice, they almost always put a passing-by in first place. I feel safe when I’m walking through the streets. I’ve never heard the honk behind my back since arrival. But…

At the end of a day there happened something that has changed my negative view. When we were searching our hostel, we got lost. It was getting darker and darker and there wasn’t anyone to ask for a help. Finally, we found one person who explained us the way. We were very far from the hostel because we took our metro stop too early. After about 10 minutes of walking a car stopped near us. It tourned out that an old man, who had shown us the direction, was worrying about our group and he offered us a ride. I was really surprised. There were eight of us so he had to make two rounds! We had no words to thank him. I don’t even know his name… That was extraordinary for me that he cared of strange people so much. 

Summing up, I think that maybe the Dutch drivers aren’t so bad. I mean, for them, cyclists and passers-by their behaviour is clear and accepted. Everyone knows his role in this traffic system. They are carefull passing the streets. And for strangers, for us it was totally different than attitude of drivers from Gent. Amsterdam is worth seeing and I think I’ll come back there one day.