Good experience (Ypres (Belgium))

Member Name: Shaaza

Product:	Ypres (Belgium)
Date:	10/11/08 (144 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lots of chocolate, learn a lot about the war, a cheap area, cheap transport

Disadvantages: bad wheather, sad images and video if you visit museums.

Ypres is the place to be if you are a sort of person who is interested in History of the World war mainly concentrating on German and Belgium. I been there three times mainly because of my history studies and the experience was extraordinary.
However, Because i've mainly visited there for History studies it's hard for me to tell you about the city life style, entertainment etc.
A return ticket to ypres only cost me £45 via Euro tunnel which is rather cheap. Maybe it was cheap because we was a group of students, therefore could cost more if you are an individual adult.
When we went to the flanders fields were there is lots of graves we were just wondering around and ma mate noticed a grave of her great grand dad and she was shocked i actually took the picture for her as she did not have a camera.
It was however, sad to see some of the graves without names because their bodies couldnt be identified (we was told that some of the soldiers were burried in pieces).
There wasn't a lot of people in the flanders fields e.g. tourist many people who were in the flanders fields were mainly family members of those who fought in the war.
The flanders fields look very pretty and the grass is mowed and looks very green.


The weather in the area can be a bit painful for the reason that it's hardly hot. Its mainly cold and if you visit the trenches it could be muddy just like in the world war time. I actually went in one of the trenchies and it kind of smelled to be honest, makes me realize the troubles of those who fought in the world war and had to live in these trenchies for months.
In the trenchies you also get to see some of the equipment the soldiers used (some of the equipment have been refurbished though).

If you visit the museums in the area (which are mainly to do with the world war) you get to see a few videos and pictures of the world war and they are really sad.. if you are an emotional sensitive person you might not want to look at the pictures or videos provided because they are really really sad.
If you visit the town centre you get to see some of the oldest buildings in Belgium. you cant visit this area without attending the Menin Gate Memorial. The memorial service starts at 8:pm Belgium time.
Everytime i visired the Menin gates there is always some British soldiers whoma re there to give their respect. At 8pm they close the road so it gets rather conjested mainly with tourist cars as the Belgium already know that the road will close at around 8pm.


If you are a CHOCO-HOLIC then you might want to go with bags and bags.. because the shops in this area sell different types of chocolates at really cheap prices. I must say the chocolate tastes very good, and i couldnt stop eating it. I also bout a really huge lolly pop for twenty Euros in a candy shop and it wouldn't fit in ma bag lol so had to hold it on my way back. It tooks me ages for it to finish though people kept eating it (not licking it but breaking it lol)
There are a couple of restaurants to eat from, i can't really remember the names of the restaurants i ate in but they sell good foods and have some english menus in some of the restaurants. The restaurants are rather cheap though some are expensive as they are highly rated, in terms of how good the food they seel is.
They also sell some chips though my mate found hair in her chips and we were screwing.. actually in the end it wasn't hair it was a lil string that is used to tighten the bag of chips whilst it's in the freezer so it must have fallen by mistake lol (ohh well).

I did also go to the shopping centre near the Menin gate, the clothes are rather fashionable and cheap. There are clothes shops that seels different types of clothing for everything from sport wear to night club wear etc. I didn't really use any public transport as we had our own bus, but i could see buses everywhere, suggesting that the public transport is good and reliable.

I deffinitely reccomend anyone who is into history or studying history mainly to do with the world war or Belgium itself, to visit ypres. Personally, i wasnt interested in going to Ypres at first because i thought it would be boring, but i was wrong. It's way better than reading a book about world war, so why not go out there and step your feet in the trenchies. :)


==NOTE:

--Bring your camera (there is soo much to remember and a camera will deffinetly help to keep those moments in pictures)
--Bring boots (very very muddy if you visit the trenchies or some of the grave sites)
---A lot of people in the area can speak english, but it would be better for you if you can speak a bit of french.
--Bring your coats (i don't know if i was unlucky but everytime i visited the city it has always been cold and muddy). Ladies unlike me don't wear high heels at all, it's not a good idea (i had to learn from my mistake).

Summary: a historic place in belgium that commemorates the World War.