Belgium

Which Beer would you like to have sir? The time was 0800 hours. I smiled, I was indeed in Belgium , the land of many beers. As of 2013, there were 1150 original Belgian Beers, quite impressive for a country with an area about 1/8th of Uttar Pradesh.

My place of work IMEC, an R&D company based in Belgium and Netherlands is in Leuven, a University Town, about 20 mins from the capital city of Brussels. The student population in Leuven is about 50000, that's more than the non student population of this place. The age range here is mostly the young crowd 18-30 or the old Grand pas and Grand Maas.

The weather is so cold that people tend to pick up their drinks straight from the attics! The first day at IMEC and my God, I was surprised by the sheer size of the place, its gigantic. I was picked up at the reception gate by my Guide. I was a bit intimidated by the Security Arrangements though, appeared as if I was entering some Defence research facility, reminded me of my days at the Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory. Its funny how the work being done for the wellness of general public is being so heavily guarded, thank you Global Competition and Bin Laden (Rest in Jannat sic). I was taken for a security tour and was given a brief about the fire drill, it was fun. Technology apart, it was really inspiring to see so many fitness crazy people in the facility. There were more cycles than cars in the facility! I was given a brief account of the research by Walter, my in-charge. He had an urgent meeting and I was left to explore the place. Everyone was so "into research" even while eating, it was like sitting in the Sheldon Cooper's House with Penny also a PhD!!! :D

After IMEC I went to the Leuven City Centre, towered by a big Gothic Cathedral with a mini Carnival going on. As happens with every European City the centre had more bars then any other shops and even during a Thursday afternoon, people were there on the street. People really know how to dress here and look good! They are so casually and carefully good looking. A few Belgian Waffles and a Belgian beer later, I was on my way back home, it was cold and it was dark at 5 pm and it started to rain and i forgot my way home...phew

The first day ends, drenched, tired and supremely excited!!! I M E C...