NATO and EU

Well I got a little busy yesterday to put anything on the blog. Plus you have to pay for internet access at the hotel, so I’m trying to budget my time wisely.

A bit more on the Belgian elections. Voting is required, thus the tournout for elections is 98%. If you do not vote, you get a visit from the police to find out why you did not vote. If you do not have a good excuse, you pay a 100 dollar fine.

We started Monday at NATO. We had briefings in one of the hottest meetings rooms of all time. And I smartly chose to sit next to a window that was getting a lot of sunlight. The third speaker of the day, a British speech writer, called the room purgatory. We finally got the air conditioning on, so the last couple of speakers were more enjoyable.

The website for NATO is http://www.nato.int/

We had lunch right there at NATO and we had good meetings. One of the things they say about this trip is that you will learn more about what it means to be American that what it means to be European. Listening to the discussions about how the US related to NATO, some of our greatest allies, in both Afghanistan and especially Iraq really gave to a very different perspective on those conflicts. I did get a sense of being American when we talked about those things, but I can’t say I was a very proud American. Let’s just say we could have handled the situation a little better.

I can’t say too much more, as we were using the Chatham House Rules. Which is European for “off the record”. We did get some great swag from NATO.

After NATO we spoke with a former European Fellow that now works for the European Commission. It was interesting and I think I’m starting to get a handle on how the European Union works. I’m certainly no expert and there is much more to it that you would think.

I then had an individual appointment with a gentleman that works with the 19 municipalities that make up Brussels. There is really no Brussels city per se. I walked five blocks to his office and went from one city to another. It would take an act of the Belgium Parliament to consolidate the governments, and the politics are tricky. I wouldn’t hold my breath that the 19 will come together soon.

His English was a little rusty, but all in all, it was a good appointment. I did end up talking with another lady there that used to live outside Atlanta, but now is back in Brussels.

I didn’t have a dinner, so a group of us went out looking for an authentic Belgian meal. We roamed the streets of Brussels for about 1.5 hours before finally settling on a place. I asked lots of people for directions and did best with a group of guys that contained a guy from New Jersey. He has lived in Brussels for 35 years, still spoke good English, but he had definitely taken too the culture of Brussels.

We had a great meal at a nice little restaurant. Most folks had the sampler platter, but I chose the steak and pomme frites. It was quite good and is actually a traditional Belgian meal. Chock up another great European experience to the list.

Today we met with European Parliamentarians and watched a little of their session. They are meeting with Parliamentarians from the different countries of the EU this week. Then off to the Grand Plaza for lunch where I was able to pick up a painting of Brussels city hall. It is THE city hall, no one of the other 18.

There is something very cool about being in the city. I have a great desire to try to speak French. I think if you lived here for a few months, you would catch on very quickly. Many do speak English, but it is not their first language. I would be nice to have the time to learn the language and the city.

We have some meetings this afternoon and I have dinner tonight with two others and a former fellow. Then we fly to Frankfurt early in the morning. I’ll try to check in when I get to Frankfurt.

Bon soir.