Leading a European Life
After living in Belgium for a little more than a couple of decades, it definitely feels like home now. I cannot imagine leading a life elsewhere anymore, not even in the Philippines, my place of birth. I have established (there is no appropriate translation for 'ingeburgerd' in English so I use this term) myself in this country. I own a small place, drive a car, work in a multinational company, take part in local activities, follow local news, pay from local to federal taxes, speak and write the language, eat the local dishes, root for the Red Devils, vote during elections and do other things that Belgians are accustomed to do.
I do not get stared at anymore, or maybe I do but I do not notice anymore. I can get around easily without being bothered by the language barrier. I can carry out a telephone conversation smoothly, research on topics and interact online in Flemish. I feel and act local. Except for the very visible brownness of my skin, I think I can pass as one. When somebody asks me where I come from, I would tell them the name of the town where I live. Some accept the information without question. Some do a follow up by asking where I 'really' come from. I do not take offense to that. I peg it down to simple curiosity.
Living alone (read: without a partner) afforded me a broader insight into the Belgian society. Perhaps my status forced me to independently find out more about things I can or cannot avail of from my surroundings. I live small so I do not demand much.
As I write this, I do not really know what point I'm trying to get across. I guess I am just ruminating over the idea that there is comfort in knowing you somehow belong somewhere.
I do not get stared at anymore, or maybe I do but I do not notice anymore. I can get around easily without being bothered by the language barrier. I can carry out a telephone conversation smoothly, research on topics and interact online in Flemish. I feel and act local. Except for the very visible brownness of my skin, I think I can pass as one. When somebody asks me where I come from, I would tell them the name of the town where I live. Some accept the information without question. Some do a follow up by asking where I 'really' come from. I do not take offense to that. I peg it down to simple curiosity.
Living alone (read: without a partner) afforded me a broader insight into the Belgian society. Perhaps my status forced me to independently find out more about things I can or cannot avail of from my surroundings. I live small so I do not demand much.
As I write this, I do not really know what point I'm trying to get across. I guess I am just ruminating over the idea that there is comfort in knowing you somehow belong somewhere.
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