Things I will not miss about Belgium....
me: Hi, I am here for my appointment.
lady: stares silently
me: Um...my doctor's appointment.
lady: That is not possible.
me: Well... it must be possible. I have an appointment today. I wrote it down very carefully in my calendar, took the day off at work, and drove all the way here.
lady: No. It is not possible. What is your name? (I tell her)
lady: No. Your appointment is on August 13.
me: Yes, I know. And that is today---August 13th.
lady: No--the appointment is for August 13, THREE-ZERO.
me: blinking rapidly with a stupid expression on my face, trying to understand what just happened...then suddenly I know. What? Nooooo....that's THIRTY, not THIRTEEN. (AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH---the scream now occurring in my head).
lady: Today is not possible. You can come on the thirteen (by now it is clear she means thirty)
me: No, THAT is not possible ...since I will no longer be in Belgium…..and will be living in a far off land where thirteen is clearly thirteen and thirty is definitely thirty.
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