Sleepy Summer

Brussels is in the process of shutting down for "The Summer Break". Hordes of officials, lobbyists, journalists, and ordinary residents are heading for the airports and the motorways, aiming for sunnier destinations. My street is emptying at a frightening pace - about 50% of the cars normally there have disappeared; the trip into work by metro or on the roads is eerily quiet. Another month of peace before everyone descends on Brussels again towards the end of August...

I learned soon after arriving that late July and August were not times to find people at their desks. Those you do find are often covering for several, luckier, colleagues, and are overworked and stressed.