Life as an Au Pair

Gare Centrale

As I finish the end of my third week in Brussels, I'm feeling much more capable and more prepared to explore. I admit that the last few weeks have been a struggle; like in any new job, you must quickly cram so much information into your mind that it often feels as though it may explode! Working as an Au Pair is no different and is at times worse, because at the end of the day you cannot return to your comfort zone.

The first two weeks I was feeling a lot of stress, but now I think that I've absorbed most of the information that has been given to me. I had resigned myself to doing at least one thing wrong every day (such as forgetting to check Nicky's hockey bag for his shoes, leaving Jamie's empty bottle in his room upstairs, or making lunches on bread that "the kids don't like."), but now I feel capable of doing things quite well! Jantine also thinks so, as on Friday, she jokingly declared that I "had passed the three week test!"

One of the many embassies on Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, the street of Nicky's school.

I've even started biking through traffic in the city, as Nicky's school is easily accessed by bike. I was a little apprehensive at first, as city biking can be pretty scary. But I had forgotten how much fun biking is! Still, I'm in awe of Jantine's skills: she often straps Tess (6) and Jamie (3) to car seats on her bike and bikes them (backpacks also in tow) to school in the morning. She is Dutch, though, where they ride bicycles out of the womb!

A glace (ice cream) and gaufres (waffles) truck.

It's been fun getting to know Brussels' various quirks; it really is an interesting city. Or perhaps it is just new, as I know many of the things I expect to see in New York might seem very strange other places.

Last weekend I went out with another Au Pair, whose host mom is friends with mine. She is also American and has been in the city a few weeks longer, so we met up with some of her friends. It was a lot of fun; we ended up at Havana Club, a cuban themed bar with some pretty steep prices but good dance music. It was interesting to see a lot of older couples dancing, as you don't see that often in the US. I met a lot of expats: a guy from Portugal, a Slovakian girl, another American girl (who went to Millersville, of all places), as well as a few real Belgians. I got into a discussion with one Flemish girl, mostly about language differences. I've been hearing a lot of Netherlands Dutch, so it was interesting to compare it to Flemish.

A Delacre cookie trolley.

My French is coming along and I'm getting comfortable speaking in class. It's still pretty scary to be spoken to out of the blue, though, which strangely happens a lot. Maybe I look extra helpful or Belgian (the uniform of Brussels is the tan rain trench, which I also wear), because people ask me for help nearly every time I take public transportation. I end up mumbling something about not speaking French, which is a little lame. I need to do a little more thinking in French, so it won't be as much of a shock when someone speaks to me in it.

A juggler performing in a crosswalk during a red light.

A night shop. Many stores close very early, while night shops are not open during the day.

Protestors out in the rain. It was also very cold! It's great to see so much passion, as most Americans only protest when convenient or for entertainment value (occupywallstreet not included).

Another Au Pair, from Wales. We (and another Au Pair from Scotland) were out having a lunch of Moules Frites and beer! They also turned me on to "salad cream", a British miracle whip type tasty treat.

So many types of Belgian beer available in your local Carrefour (kind of a bodega type shop, they are everywhere).

I would love to post some pictures of the family, but have not yet discussed that with my host parents. I am planning on doing a lot of traveling, starting in late October and November, and plan on taking lots of pictures. I will be sure to keep updating. Miss you all! Skype me when you can.