Bureaucrazy: preparations for Brussels

After my first day at work I had to go to Brussels for an introductory conference with all the other trainees, or stagières, as we are called in EU-lingo. Therefore the following posts will be a Brussels special about what happens if you mix a three-language country without a government with 600 young trainees from all over Europe, one swede with childhood memories of Brussels and a general strike. Well, it'll be the long version, because the short answer I can give right now: rain.