Two hours by plane separates Spain from Belgium. 1.600 kilometres make that both countries are so different from each other in every way. Customs, climate, transport, character of the native persons and their pattern of life, are some of the differences between the two Europeans countries.
Wake up in the morning and see through the window that today, like nearly everyday, is cloudy, to have classes at the university at two o’ clock in the afternoon or to go shopping at 17:30 and to realize that most of the shops are closing. Some normal situations for the Belgian people but not for the persons from Spain, where, almost everyday is sunny, people normally eat at two o’ clock and all the department stores close at night, elements that you have to get used to when you live here and to become one of them.
Chances to travel
One of the best things about living in Belgium are the numerous facilities to travel from one place in the country to other, especially if you are younger than 26 years old, because every tickect is cheaper for them. To make a journey by train is cheaper here than in Spain. Thus, you can tour a great deal of different places in Belgium spending little money, so you can enjoy visiting all the cities of the country.
It is important to emphasize that most of the trains are punctual in its schedule. However, there is a strong drawback, it is the lack of information in the platforms. Due to it, almost all the foreigners have to change the train several times, and even sometimes they get lost.
Hard to get used
The main fact that makes Spain different from Belgium is the climate. In the winter the temperatures drop to 10 degrees below zero in some parts of the Belgian country, thus the majority of people prefer to spend their time inside of the houses. Due to it, the streets of some towns look uninhabited. The Spanish people don’t get used to the unfavourable weather here, and many of them get depressed. To change a strong sunshine in a dark sky is often a problem. Nevertheless, what is interesting about it is that Belgians usually go out in the street with short-sleeve shirts or shorts during the winter. It seems their body accustomed to the cold and they feel less cold than the Spanish.
When it gets dark the Belgians stop their lives. They disappear from the streets and shops close down. However, in Spain, when the night comes, there are still persons in the streets walking, shopping or having a beer in bars. The reason could be the temperature difference between both countries.
Politely
People here are much more polite than in Spain. If you have a trouble they try to help you, although they don’t speak your language or they don’t know really well how to explain to you. Nonetheless, they have a reserved character, quite different from the Spanish people.
In Spain, people are always smiling and joking, but here it is unusual. Normally, Belgian people are more quiet and shy. In a way, the temperament of the persons depends on the climate of their home country.
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