Complex Numbers

A Few Observations

Tomorrow, I intend to get back to my usual annoying self here by posting a Revisited entry. As for today, well, I'm still in recovery, so I'll just summarize some of my observations on the trip that I may or may not have already blogged about (because I can't remember and can't be arsed to re-read what I've already posted).

I gained a greater appreciation of the intricacies of French wine. Contrary to French beliefs, it's not necessarily superior to other countries' wine, but it does take a different approach. Not that I know a whole lot of details; that takes years of study and practice. I don't mind practicing.

It's popular in some circles to tout the general superiority of Europe over the US. In other circles, the opposite is the case. As it turns out, in my opinion at least, that they're just different. Europe does some things better, like public transportation and healthcare delivery. The US does other things better, like... um... well, I can't think of anything offhand, but I'm pretty sure I would if I weren't so tired. I guess we invented the Internet and GPS, so there's that.

There are whole sections of Brussels where there are more chocolatiers on each block than all other businesses combined.

There are others that are pretty much entirely restaurants.

I gather that it is easier and takes less time to become a medical doctor anywhere than it does to become a chocolatier in Belgium.

Real estate prices (both rent and buy) are amazingly cheap there, compared to the US. At least in the country and small towns. And that's with a denser population.

Unlike my above comment about French wine, Belgian chocolate really is the best. Sorry, Switzerland. At least you won't send assassins after me for that observation. ...Right?

The old joke about how Brits think 100 miles is a long way, while Yanks think 100 years is a long time? It applies to mainland Europe as well. You just have to convert to SI units.

Best quote of the trip, by a Belgian tour guide, uttered between bites of a Belgian waffle topped with whipped cream and chocolate: "You Americans eat like you have free health care."

So that's all I'm going to post about the trip... unless, of course, something else reminds me of a thing I did there. Like I said, tomorrow, we're back to our regularly scheduled programming.