White Background

Fairly brief note of this morning's encounter. Went early to the equivalent of the Town Hall to follow up letter received yesterday inviting me to take in the necessary photographs and medical insurance details in the quest for an ID card. In spite of arriving before 8.50, surprised to find a queue of other foreigners seeking the stamp of official approval. Not the foreigners, but the queue, was the surprise.

My first visit there had alerted me to the somewhat bureaucratic nature of the process; perhaps inevitable, given the current amount of attempted illegal entry to countries in the West. I presented my letter from England with S1 forms entitled Registering for Healthcare Cover, and the required recent passport photographs. The clerk pursed her lips, showed my photos to a colleague who looked dubious; they conferred and then I was told they weren't satisfactory.'But they look like me,' I protested. 'Who else would claim those bags under the eyes?' 'They aren't correct; we require a white background and this is a little blue or grey.' 'They are official passport photographs in England' I explained. She looked validated. 'Ah, taken in England. We need Belgian photographs, with a WHITE background,' and she gave me a list of approved photographers in Brugge.

'Also we require Belgian medical insurance.' I explained I had tried to join a Mutuelle a fortnight before but had been refused because the magic sheet with my new, prized ID number, was ONLY an application. It wouldn't do. And I needed forms E121 from England. The clerk this morning muttered that some Mutuelles were awkward and I must return and join because my application could not proceed unless I was a member of one. She suddenly softened and dashed out a short, no doubt, curt letter and stamped it impressively with two different seals. 'Give them that and you will be fine. And your S1 forms are fine. You do not need E121. And remember, you must return here, with everything in order by early May or ...' She didn't specify and I didn't ask; expulsion perhaps or begin the process again?

Over a strong coffee I looked at the list of photographers; only three in the centre and my first favourite because she was called Emily, was closed Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat after noon and Sunday. The second did not reply and the third said, 'Come any time.' SO when this is written, I'm off to walk to Gentpoortstraat musing and not for the first time, that some things Bruggean are perhaps twenty years behind England. I'm thinking shops closing for lunch and for a day off in the week like a Thursday when the town is busy; having to go to a photographer for a passport photo to be taken; relatively reduced choice in supermarkets; estate agents that do not open on Saturdays because it's not worth it; on busy Saturdays, only two tills and help desks open in Telenet out of four, with a queue of up to perhaps ten people.Life is altogether gentler here, less frantic, and the less edgy commercial atmosphere is welcome, except, of course, when it doesn't suit me! Next time, when the clock permits, I must consider the ways and customs here which are so much better than in the UK. There are many!