It might as well be spring
I like spring. After the Ice Queen that is winter (beautiful and deadly) decides to give up for another year, her younger sister comes along to remind us exactly why we all continue living in England.Being British I grew up talking about the weather, which tends to dominate our lives. I avoid going out when it's raining, I love wearing short dresses in the summer (OK, all year round), and I (mostly) love how beautiful snow looks in the winter.
Spring is an entirely different season though, as you don't expect anything. In England there's no guarantee that summer will be hot and sunny, or that winter will be glacial and snowy, but you do hope. Spring (and to some extent autumn) continues to surprise you with boiling hot, dry days, freezing cold rain and even snow!
Brussels on the other hand (as my wise ex-colleague did warn me) seems to delight in being spring-like all year round. On Friday I was carrying my coat because it was so mild, yesterday I had to change because it started pouring down, and today I went off for a run and it began to snow.
There's no place like home
Soon I will be back home in Blighty... something I've looked forward to since September. However, when I spoke to my boss about leaving, I (and he actually) got quite emotional, which surprised me. However, I know I'm making the right decision and am now focusing on my return to England.An English spring is supposed to be comprised of baby animals, green meadows, daffodils, blossom and breezes, mixed with chocolate eggs, a sudden invasion of yellow bikinis in the shops and hot cross buns. People all seem to be happier, because summer is on its way, and we can finally throw our coats away, and start panicking about our post-Christmas flesh which will soon want to be on show.
This is England - what we're supposed to die for
That depressing thought aside, I started to think of all the things I've missed over the last 5 months. After a fleeting visit from the boy last weekend, I'll admit that this week did include chocolate fingers, Diet Coke and (my personal favourite) a Cheesy Beano (which for you non-English or peasants means cheese and baked beans on toast, not a comic featuring Dennis the Menace).Now I know I am what is classed as an 'introvert' but recently I've been doing a lot of thinking... either at the ice rink or when walking to walk (which takes an hour each time there's a public strike - one tomorrow in fact), and it strikes me that I may have been a bit stupid over the last few months.
Yes I've found out that I'm not dead inside, that I do have feelings, and that I can cry... but what have I missed out on whilst living in the centre of Europe? And what will I miss when I return to Britannia?
England is mine and I take what I want
- Marmite vs Speculoos - NOW there's a question. They say you either love it or hate it... but I just like it. I brought a tiny jar with me, and I sometimes have a cheese and Marmite sandwich but I could live without it. Speculoos on the other hand has become an obsession - Unlike peanut butter, I'm a crunchy girl and I'm not ashamed to say I eat it out of the jar. I've always liked the biscuits, I've had the chocolate (Galak is the best), the ice-cream (Hรคagen-Dazs beats Lotus), homemade fudge (thanks to my amazing American friend) and even the coffee (just weird).
- Diet Coke vs Coca Cola Light - Yes it will give me cancer, but I love Diet Coke. Coca Cola Light is FOUL and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. This was causing me endless pain, until I tried Coke Zero, which in England I avoid, but in Brussels tastes like Diet Coke. That'll do.
- Tube vs Metro - This is a tough call. A monthly metro pass (tram, bus, metro) costs €45 (before my company reimburses most of it), whereas in London you're looking at spending well-over £100. However, in Brussels the stops are further apart, and they strike regularly.
- Skype vs Mobiles - obviously I'd rather see people face-to-face, but it's quite nice to chat to people on Skype. Being abroad makes most people (you know who you are if you've been flaky) make an effort to speak to you, more than when you live in the same country. I loved speaking to friends and knowing that you can still chat about everything and nothing for over an hour. I've also spoken to my family more than usual. Also - Skype is free and won't give me cancer.
- Euro vs Pound - I hate the Euro, and never want it in the UK. BUT - when I've gone abroad this year, I can use my ING card and not have to worry about forgetting to exchange currency. On the other hand, when I go shopping I am getting done. I bought a dress yesterday for €35 (£29.40)... but it the UK price was £26.99. So I paid £2.41 more than if I'd been in England. Yes I got student discount, but I would've got that in the UK so I was still ripped off! Everything is more expensive here, and you get used to it, but it still breaks your heart when you know things are cheaper in London!
- Poseidon vs Spectrum - Now I'm hoping that I will find an ice rink near to wherever I end up living, but I know that the Spectrum is £5.70, for 90mins, whereas at Poseidon I pay €4.20 and can skate all day if I want. Also, my lessons here are only €6 and I know they'll probably be £20+ in the UK.
- Liptons vs PG Tips - Now I'm not a big tea drinker, but they really cannot do tea in Brussels. They try, but the teabags break when they're in the mug, the water is detestable and the milk is UHT (which I don't mind normally, but in tea it's just wrong). However, Lipton Ice Tea Zero is pretty awesome.
- Brits vs Belgians - I love stereotypes, and yesterday on the bus there was a man wearing a stripy jumper and a beret. He also had a wonderful moustache! Belgians are incredible as they speak Dutch, French and English. I do enjoy this multi-lingual culture and the pride they have of their language. Also - they don't really have chavs here! I will miss the Belgian (real or pretend) friends I have made.
This country's good
I have no idea which country is winning... probably Belgium if I'm honest (if you haven't tried Speculoos you won't understand) but I think being able to see my friends and family (which I am going to do a lot more often because I will be able to) definitely beats being away from everything and everyone you love. More importantly, I will bring a carload of Speculoos (and the white chocolate spread) back with me!Britannia rules the waves
I am proud to be British, and happy to be coming back to my country.Just in case you've missed my point, here's a thought from a true British actor, in one of the greatest British films of our time:
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