I’m not a huge history buff, but I do enjoy learning about the area around me. In the states, we have always been very good about getting out and learning the history and really experiencing the life that is around us. We have been doing the same thing here in Belgium, but more at a distance, rather than really looking closely.

Belgium has a lot of history and because of its geographic location, has played a part in so much European and World history. Since we’ve been in Belgium, we have done some pretty great things, been to some amazing cities and countries, but we often overlook what is right here, within a short drive.

Last week we were watching some special on the Battle of Waterloo. I had actually told Drew the week before that I wanted to head out there this past weekend so it was perfect timing that it was on. Before watching this special, all I knew was that Waterloo was where Napoleon was defeated. It was great learning about everything that led up to the battle and even the battle itself was so interesting.

This past weekend we drove 30 minutes out there (yes it’s that close) to see the area. It was pretty humbling standing there knowing that you were standing on the same ground that such an important battle was won on; one that surely changed the course of world events.

In one picture below is a statue that was built of a lion with his paw on the globe, “defending world peace”. The other is a view onto the town. You can’t really see much here, but this is pretty much an accurate picture of the weather in Belgium during the cold months.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 at 7:59 am and is filed under Travel, Belgium. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.