This one is for the Europeans

Hello, Goeiedag, Bonjour, Buongiorno, Dobar dan, Gutentag, Buenos Diaz,....

Just like to hear a bit from the European members on this great site...

About 650 miles...

Planet Nautique Members' Map

So you can see where I'm at

Dank je Trip!!

Zo zie je maar... een Hollander kom je nu eenmaal overal tegen

Je website ziet er veelbelovend uit.. hoop weldra meer te zien!

Groeten van een Belg in België

Okay Doc let's redo this one...

TRIP wrote: Hey, koele boot heb je! Groeten van een 'Ollander in Costa Rica

This is dutch for:

Hey, cool boat you have!
Greetings from a 'Dutchman in Costa Rica'

I answered him:

Kristof wrote: Dank je Trip!! Zo zie je maar... een Hollander kom je nu eenmaal overal tegen Je website ziet er veelbelovend uit.. hoop weldra meer te zien! Groeten van een Belg in België

Which means:

Thanks Trip!!
As you can see... you encounter the Dutch everywhere
Your website looks promising.. hope to see more of it soon!
Greetings from a Belgian in Belgium

From now on I will restrain myself from profanities
I will behave and be a good boy... Wife gives me a strange look... go figure!

Kristof, forgive me for my ingnorance, but is Dutch the national or predominant language of Belgium? What do you call people from Belgium, ie, Belgiunman, Belgiumese? What kind of government? Belgium, to me is an obscure country that I don't hear much about, other than for its chocolate. My father, who fought in WWII, I believe entered into Europe in Belgium, I think fighting in the Bastonge area and beyond as they headed to Germany. Are there many WWII historical sites there?

Riley,

Your father fought in the well known "Battle of the Bulge"!!! We have museums dedicated to the heroes of that battle in Bastogne. Your father probably landed in Normandy (D-Day) and then fought his way up to the "Ardennes" were this harsh battle took place in the cold winter snow...

Government... Don't want to write a book here BUT...To put it short... we have 7 (!) governments for a country as big as a handkerchief! Talk about complicated... (a country of 10 million inhabitants). We have three official languages in our country: Dutch (in the north), French (in the south) and German (in the east).

Oh, and we're called Belgians... And we have the capital of Europe: BRUSSELS

Eric,
Hitler and his buddies occupied these parts for five long years.
And... "The sound of music" is a classic!!!
Gotta love Julie Andrews...
Switserland is about 500 miles from here.
You guys really have to update your geography LOL.

Eh... you wanna piece of me???
Right above (or north if you will) Texas LOL

No I didn't...
I just like geography
That's why i sollicited for a job as topographist - satellite image analist in the army

thats cheating...

Do either of you (eric or Kristof) work? hahah I'm online all day & you guys make me look like im the hardest worker on this site w/ your guys posts haha.........

Nate

Nate: There is lots of guys who come to mind...wondering if they work!

Kristof: I for one sure are enjoying your entry into our little world here. Interesting people from around the world...one of the many great things about this site.

Where would we be without Keith?

john

Kristof, you're right he did fight in the Battle of the Bulge. He was there for the end of the war and I believe he found it pretty interesting.

I would like to travel to Europe someday.
One thing I find facinating is the age of buildings over there. Most old buildings where I live were built in the 1700 and 1800s. Over there, they're so much older.

I'm glad you signed on. There's a lot of interesting people here. You must be the only Belgian with a Correct Craft.

Thanks for the comments guys!

My wife says that if this continues like this, my shirts won't fit no more cause my neck will be to big LOL.

Eric, I do believe in "ghosts", only I call them spirits, and they gide and watch over us (to every one their own religion ). That's why I thank them every day that we all live in places where life is good. So Alan, your're absolutely right about our countries and our luxury

Riley,
If ever you come to Europe, come to Belgium and let me know! I'll show you around old houses, castles and the places your father fought... You're welcome to stay at our house!

Alright Kristof,

I traveled to Belgium when I was 17 years old to play soccer with an American select team. I believe we came into Oostande, a port town and then proceded to the country where we stayed with host families for a couple of days before moving on to play other soccer clubs. I don't remember what the name of the small countryside town was that we stayed in, however, 20 years later, I will never forget what a beautifal country you live in. The whole region we traveled through left quite an impression upon me. We also went to Holland, East Germany and parts of England.

One other Belgium note: I read a book called the Mistress of Riversdale, which is a compilation of letters from Rosalie STIER Calvert to the Stier family back in Belgium. The Stiers were a very prosperous family in Belgium in the late 1700's and into the 1800's (at least). Rosalie Stier Calvert was part of a family that could be considered the most famous Maryland family of all time. They owned vast parts of the state and went on to be the original founders of the University of Maryland. Anyway, I just wanted to chime in to let you know that there are people on this board that know your country (a tiny bit anyway). I'm not open to geography questions though.

-JMurph

are you from a large or a small family?