According to a coworker there are three cell phone companies that are prominent here in Belgium. I stopped by two to find out the best deals and researched the third online, but it was significantly more expensive. Being downtown, in the heart of Brussels, all the shops are within a few minute walking distance. When I stopped by the first one I immediately asked, "Parlez-vous Anglais?" and the nice gentleman from Congo said yes!!! He helped me out and was super nice. I was also able to experience an angry customer yell in French then to Arabic then back to French and all I understood was a mere single word; MIERDE! and the other associate telling the woman AU REVIOUR! I am assuming she wasn't pleased with the service? It was actually kind of funny because my guy kept making comments in English like "Welcome to Belgium" and "this happens almost everyday!"
My next stop was another cell company that I heard had the best service and yet again, the gentleman spoke English after I asked the same question. I did like the company's prices and plans better, but decided I wasn't going to purchase an unlocked phone and would go home and try to unlock my own from the States.
On my way home I stopped by Delhaize to do some groceries. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It may be because it is a Saturday and the streets are flooded with people since the weather is decent, but holy cow! First off, it's like walking into a high security building (in comparison to American grocery markets) and most people have rolling baskets which are actually kind of neat! (Will get photo next time when there are fewer crowds.) The only issue is that the store is SO tiny and the isles extremely narrow that you basically have to elbow your way through the place. Now being as this is the company I work for I tried paying special attention to all the details.
Things I noticed:
- Most (not all) fresh foods are prepackaged.
- Organic is labeled BIO (yes, I did purchase some of these products! :) )
- Food is significantly more expensive than I expected (opinion). A tiny piece of fish cost me 2.47 euro for .155kg for whiting fish which is cod-like. Other items were much pricier as well, but as I am looking at my receipt I am having a hard time translating the French. :)
- The only skinless chicken legs were boneless. First off, boneless chicken legs? That's kind of cool! Second of all, I didn't see BIO chicken. I did miss like 2 or 3 other things so I may have just had my blind goggles on.
- Delhaize is big on private labels.
- They sell Fois Gras which is awesome as I am a big fan! - Yes, it is a vice.
- There were a few products that I saw that we sell in the States as well that I did not expect such as Ecover laundry detergent. Speaking of, I didn't know which bottel was which so I asked a random guy walking by, "parlez-vous anglais?" and he said yes! (I see a pattern!!) and I asked him what the difference was and he explained it to me. So nice!
- Way better beer selection (totally a personal opinion!!!)
Here is what I bought today which cost me 70.10 euro or $92!!!
I only brought one reusable bag with me and ended up having to buy a second. By the time I got home my arms were shaking. Note to self - purchase less or lighter groceries. :)
Eventually, I unlocked my phone and went back to the shop to buy a SIM card, but couldn't get the month to month plan as I did not have my proof of residence. Instead, I had to opt for a prepaid version which I will have to eventually upgrade as it will eat my wallet.
Now, I am enjoying a nice Delirium and planning on studying some French and perhaps finding a local bar and having a nice cocktail in the city. Why not!?
Aggie
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