Ypres

Arriving at dark, we came to rustic, authentic streets of Ypres. The trip was genuinely eye-opening and a moving, historical place to be. The emotive stories of 1914 and the heart-rending tales of the West Flanders soldiers were truly emotional. A midst this came the Waffle, Chocolate full streets great for eating and shopping! 

     Visiting Menin gate, we stayed for a ceremony which takes place every evening at 8p.m. to commemorate the named soldiers who's lying body's never to be found. This ceremony consisted of the playing of the Last post. Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of names, we had to return to our hotel soon for a loo stop!  It was undoubtedly beautiful and astonishing experience and came quickly too an end! Too quickly!  

        Sanctuary wood was the captured experience  of life in the trenches. Thanks to the storms from the night before, the ankle high-deep mud was an amusing part of the trip and i laughed at all with-out wellies! 

I highly recommend this enjoyable trip!!

          Tyne Cot was there to rap up the trip. The mass Graves hit me by surprise, and some, expecting to think lightly of the Landmark found it utterly moving and I can safely speak for myself and all of my fellow peers, that is gave us all a new found respect for those lost, and a greater appreciation and perspective on life. 

         This trip is not for the closed minded and some concepts i still struggle to digest but I highley suggest this incredible journey.

-S.H.