Belgium

I've been sitting here for the last 20 minutes trying to write an entry about Belgium, but I can't seem to get past a few sentences... It was only a little over a week that I was there, but it seems like it was months ago, and even though Belgium's only a couple of hours flight from Finland, where I now am, it feels like it could just as easily be on the other side of the world. The rapid cultural shift between places in Europe that are geographically very close is something that I'm not used to. In the past when I've travelled I've been able to spend extended periods of time in countries and get to know the people and the culture a little bit, but the nature of the trip that I'm on at the moment means that every few days I'm heading somewhere else, so it's very hard to establish much of an insight into people and culture. I really liked Belgium; a lot of the reason for me liking it so much was probably the result of the warm hospitality of Julie, the most generous host you could ever wish for, but there was also something inexplicably charming about the place. Belgium isn't a place that springs to mind when you think of European travel itineraries: it seems to get overlooked alongside its larger, more well known, more powerful neighbours, and it would be quite easy just to pass straight through on the way north from France or on the way south from the Netherlands. We were able to visit towns in the French speaking south and the Flemish speaking north, and it was interesting to see how two quite different cultures share one country. I really don't feel like writing out a full account of all the places I went and the things I did, because those sorts of accounts always end up sounding similar, and can get quite boring, so instead I'll just say that there is plenty to do and see in Belgium, and I could happily go back there and travel around more - its size makes it easy to navigate, and there's friendly people, great food, and the world's best beer.