Belgium in Pictures & Words
Belgium is a fascinating place. 3 national languages, home to NATO, capital of the European Union (Brussels), the inventors of French Fries (no one seems to know why the French get credit) and home to the best waffles in the world. Belgium is small in landmass, just under 12,000 square miles and has a population of just under 12 million. Idaho by contrast is just short of 83,000 square miles with a population of close to 2 million. You could fit close to 7 Belgium's inside of Idaho. So, next time I complain about the traffic in Nampa, remind me of these numbers! What else? You can ride a bullet train to Paris from Brussels in 1:20 at speeds that reach 180 mph. Belgium has castles and waterways and cathedrals galore. And Flemish stew. I ate it almost every day. Belgians love Americans and they wanted to talk about the upcoming US elections and gun laws. Our country rebuilt the Library for one of the oldest universities in Europe, Leuven, after it was destroyed during WWI. There are also some 5000 of our countrymen buried in Belgium in an American cemetery from WWII. We attended a fantastic wedding, which is why we went. Here is a little pictorial taste of Belgium, go when you can. All photo credits to Mrs. Swaim and Abbey Swaim.
Mrs. Swaim, Louise our exchange student from 10 years ago and whose wedding we were there to attend, and Abbey in Brussels. And no, Abbey's right arm is not normally so disproportionate.
Traditional Belgian Wedding of Arnaud and Louise.
The Famous White Swans of Bruges.
The Diamond Capital of the World. But I think we just ate fries.
This is the University's main reading room rebuilt twice after each World War. Absolutely breathtaking.
Look closely, this building is made of stone. And no, I'm not holding Nick's hand.
Gravensteen Castle, completed in 1180 AD.
If you are going to visit only one city in Belgium...Ghent!
This beautiful beach is not far from Dunkirk, the site of the evacuation of World War II. Plus, I got to swim in the North Sea!
We met up with our second exchange student, also from Belgium. She is now a nurse in the ER in her hometown of Liege in eastern Belgium. And for those of you who remember her, yes she is still playing basketball. She accompanied us on our foray into Paris and her French was indispensable. Thank you Lea!
Literally any direction you look in Paris, there is something large looming in the distance. Voila! Arc de Triomphe.
One of the burial sites of the many Americans killed in WWII.
This Abbey is still a working facility of the Trappists. They make world famous beer and cheese, and have done so for centuries.
And fries... always and everywhere... Belgian fries! P.S. That's mayonnaise on the side.