Building a house is an enormous undertaking but building a house in a country with a different language and culture almost sounds ludicrous.
At this point it is safe to say that is brings its challenges. Of course we knew that it would be hard, we have prepared ourselves for extra battles to fight. We were also informed about the bureaucracy of Belgium with its many laws and quirks.
Bureaucracy
For now we don’t seem to be bothered too much about the bureaucracy. Of course it is a bit weird that when you filed for a building permit that they keep coming back for more information. You almost think “Couldn’t you have come up with that in first place”, but we try not to think that and just go with the flow.
The most frustrating part on my account right now is that people are not really Internet savvy in the South of Belgium and they hardly of reply on an email.
It is still very difficult for me to speak French on the phone. A few weeks ago during a very busy time at work someone from the electrical company called on my cell and started talking rapid French, the only thing I could do is say a lot of aaaahhhhhmmm’s.
What we can do right now is drive over there, speak with the person in question, me searching for words and Rogier pointing out stuff like a steward on an airplane.
Ludicrous
Driving 3 hours to talk to a contractor for half an hour and then drive 3 hours back will probably fall in that ludicrous category.
We can’t wait for the temporary house to get to Chenogne so we can do more research there and not have to drive back home again.
I am pretty sure my French will get better when we can spend more time there.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, you’ve mentioned the temporary housing a couple of times. Care to expand on what you have in mind? Or did I miss it?
Also, you’re on the Natural Developments Ning thing. Do you have any comments on that? From the outside it looks rather closed – there doesn’t even seem to be a description of what they regard as natural building accessible to people who haven’t registered yet.
Ed.
Yup. Just about to write a post about it. hang on…