Ypres

It was my first time in Ypres (and indeed Belgium), and the town itself it beautiful in a picture postcard kind of way. It's all the more amazing when you learn that the whole thing was re-built to the original plans after the war, when it had been involved in several key battles to secure the route to France and Calais.

The Menin Gate was jaw dropping. There were so many names. Yet it remained a practical, and touching, monument to the Commonwealth war dead. I would have liked to have seen the Last Post, but time, and irascible guides were not on my side. Of all the war memorials I've seen, this one was special because it is so part of the city, not shunted to one side - cars are constantly driving through, it actually serves as a constant reminder. It's also powerful and beautiful.

On a non-war related note, the chocolate shops here were exquisite, and fantastically gave teacher discount! This made Ypres, and by extension Belgium, one of my favorite places of all time! It was a pity we only had forty minutes here, I would have liked longer.