I love the Belgians and the Belgians apparently love me-- I got the fat (in grad student terms) fellowship for research over there for next year that I was hoping for (which is especially nice since I didn’t get a damn Fulbright). Yay!
It’s nice to be heading to a country where the national food is mussels, fries, and beer. “I’m just trying to fit in! You know-- when in Rome. . .”
This improves my month.
I thought this was going to be a thread about The Lord of the Rings and The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy. Damn. But congratulations anyway. Your brain must be quite bulbous.
Very cool. I love Belgium. Just remember that their beer is about 12% alcohol. And try the waterzooi (spelling? Help me, Coldfire or other regional Dopers).
Congratulations!
That is SO FINE!! It will change you forever! Congrats!
What type of research are you doing? I know my share of molecular geneticists there…
Wonderful place! I lived in Embourg from age 2 1/2 to 6. Je parle un peu. Mostly I remember the food and how mean the French were to us (a waiter sniffed “Belge” at my mom when she accidentally included a Belgian franc in his tip.)
Congrats! Drink a Grimborgen for me.
Don’t forget Belgian chocolate. drool
Congrats!
Thanks! Yeah, it should be a hoot (I’m trying to convince Mr Capybara of that, who has never lived abroad for more than a couple of weeks, doesn’t pick up languages too well and is apprehensive.
I have had waterzooi (chicken kind) and it is yummy. I plan to have more of it, frequently (I’ll actually be living in Ghent, the home of waterzooi). Yes, the chocolate and beer thing increases my chance of having visitors from home.
Edwino-- It’s actually art-historical archive and museum research, but I’m sure your molecular geneticists are very nice people. . .
Congratulations! What part of Belgium? Wherever you are, you must take a weekend in Antwerp. Must must must. Bruges is also beautiful, but try to go on a weekday in the off-season, unless you like wall to wall bus tours.
And if you get a craving for some burgers with your fries, don’t bother with McDonald’s. The Belgian alternative, Quick, is a lot better.
Have a great time, you lucky woman!
What flodnak said. Antwerp is beautiful, and you just gotta go there. And never go to Bruges on a weekend - it’s a beautiful, beautiful town which is just crawling with tourists on weekends.
And you just must drink Duvel - my favourite belgian beer!! There’s also Palm, which is good but kinda strong for my taste.
…and don’t even get me started on the chocolate!!
Damn, you’re lucky! Enjoy Belgium!
Yay Quick!
I lived in Liege for a year and loved it. If you are heading there, let me know. I havea lsit of things you need to send me 
Antwerp IS cool-- stayed there for 2 weeks last summer, and I’ve lived in Bruges for 5 weeks (very strange town to live in and try to get things done, although it’s quieter in the mornings and evenings). Next year I’ll live in Ghent-- like a good triangulation between Antwerp and Brussels and Bruges (where most of the material I need to look at is) with a decent university library and fewer tourists. It’ll be interesting moving to a new place and not having any idea how to arrange phone and internet and the like. I will likely have may questions for ex-pats in the next few months. . .
I am interested to hear that there are people out there who like Quick. . . very interesting. I never would have thought. . . (I find it execrable, but. . shrug. “De gustibus. . .”)