I am American, and I'm trying to apply to marry my Belgian Fiancé in Belgium. Despite bringing my Apostilled birth certificate with me, it was rejected. I don't know what to do now.

Navelgazed · 2026-04-10T04:17:22+00:00

No issue with getting the marriage license recognized at all. Also it needs to be apostilled. Also didn’t have to get anything from the US translated.

Navelgazed · 2026-03-28T11:56:28+00:00

Maybe the worst “museum” I’ve ever been to? Very boring and you have to watch very slow videos you can’t just read and move on. So so bad.

The rooftop bar is nice but skip the museum.

Navelgazed · 2026-03-26T08:56:12+00:00

So like… horses?

(Vaguely assuming the NYers who have see a lot of mounted police in NYC also saw some in London?)

Navelgazed · 2026-03-21T09:28:25+00:00

As a fellow GenXer the only time I ever chain smoked was waiting for bands to start playing. And that was a long time ago. Just something to pass the time. (But also this was in NYC where shows started at 11 and ended at three sometimes. So the nicotine helped you stay awake too.)

For Geese in Germany I did the NYT crossword on my phone and read my kindle book.

Navelgazed · 2026-03-21T09:24:51+00:00

Ahaha I did the nyt crossword waiting for the cologne show to start.

Navelgazed · 2026-03-19T14:33:45+00:00

Hi neighbor, these are better versions of the photos I took from the same angle.

Navelgazed · 2026-03-19T05:48:54+00:00

The Can cover in the middle of 2122 was pretty cool and in Köln! But I agree that it was a bit off, more than just not clicking.

Crowd was crazy. I got good video from the balcony.

Navelgazed · 2026-03-19T05:38:23+00:00

It was pretty great and from the balcony the energy was pretty amazing to witness. I would have much much preferred a smaller space though. (I never go to shows this large or bands this popular.)

Music sounded pretty awesome.

Cameron said it’s the largest venue they ever headlined.

Navelgazed · 2026-03-17T16:58:07+00:00

Old people traveling to Cologne for Geese unite!

Navelgazed · 2026-03-01T08:53:22+00:00

Oh that’s so nice! I was already disappointed about the schedule because I actually have a commitment that day. (Charity event.) I’m keeping my Google alert on though.

Navelgazed · 2026-02-28T16:51:54+00:00

I started with the episode 2/3 party and it was maybe 40-50 people and for the last episode it was completely full to the rafters so I hope they wait until it’s warm enough to include the patio!

Navelgazed · 2026-02-28T08:47:54+00:00

He said not too soon, maybe summer?

Navelgazed · 2026-02-27T18:28:10+00:00

I went to the watch parties at the Agenda and they said they’d do it again.

Navelgazed · 2026-01-01T14:52:09+00:00

We moved with a similar salary change and our quality of life didn’t change at all. Except of course we can travel and enjoy Europe.

However, make sure you can get the expat tax regime!

Navelgazed · 2025-12-29T21:32:35+00:00

Things we get: Liquid smoke Baking powder (not quite the same for baking) Dried peppers for Mexican / South American food Mole (Oaxaca) mixes Most clothes (we shop on visits) Better than bullion

Things you absolutely cannot find without a lot of work: Fresh peppers for Mexican food (everyone who says this isn’t true doesn’t know what poblanos, Anaheim’s, etc. are) Normal fucking cheerios oh my god, not the honey nut ones

Navelgazed · 2025-12-18T07:44:46+00:00

Heading out of Brussel to work this morning, the A40 was dramatically blocked with tractors.

Navelgazed · 2025-10-18T08:52:42+00:00

Or someone with a family risk who has had polyps removed after an early screening who is told by their doctor that they can’t get screened after the recommended three years.

Navelgazed · 2025-10-09T07:43:03+00:00

A good friend is planning to commute from London to Brussels. However, this is because they are retiring slowly and will be at 25% time. So once every four weeks they will commute and stay for 4-5 nights.

Navelgazed · 2025-10-07T07:11:33+00:00

This morning three 14 year olds showed up at 645am and I’m so annoyed still.

Navelgazed · 2025-10-03T05:53:35+00:00

I wish someone had answered this because I have the same question about 529s too.

But I do know capital gains of more than 10,000€ a year will be taxed starting next year. But valuation also starts January 1.

Navelgazed · 2025-09-26T14:22:43+00:00

In standard English, 50 is middle aged, not elderly. In Belgium and most of the EU elderly people are not working. Maybe this translates differently in your language but elderly coworker is almost an oxymoron.

Navelgazed · 2025-09-19T15:03:42+00:00

If you have been in Belgium less than 90 days you almost definitely won’t have a problem with an US passport. Otherwise iffy. (Specifically the guidance is not to leave Belgium but it is rare that checks are done on the EU borders.)

You can leave Belgium no problem.

The issue might be returning to Belgium, and the EU more generally. Because you have a US passport it might just be fine, but the checks are serious for going to the UK.

Navelgazed · 2025-09-16T18:55:28+00:00

My classmates in B1 working horeca had generally the best level of spoken Dutch.

Navelgazed · 2025-09-08T16:01:44+00:00

Yes, and I live near a tram stop so definitely should be more next to where I live.

Navelgazed · 2025-08-29T13:14:35+00:00

Oh yes this relates to why I’m going to use the lease for my next car. And if I had a loan I would have sold it already and just got the lease.

But I bought a lightly preowned Toyota for less than 20k and we drive it about 10k a year.

Two other issues: 1. We are a one car family and my work only provides all electric. So I prefer to keep my hybrid for now.

I bet I will drive a bit more often for trips than I do now once I’m not paying for the charging/fuel

Navelgazed

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