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Thread: R&R in Belgium

  1. #1

    Default R&R in Belgium

    My wife and I recently returned from vacation in Belgium. The country isn't an obvious travel destination for people in the States, but thanks to the book, Monuments Men (and I wouldn't have read it, if I hadn't heard of the movie by the same name), the trip we had planned to the Netherlands morphed into a visit to Belgium. We spent all of our time in Flanders: Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp. Surprising for someone who plays Wings of Glory, we did not go to Ypres – our visit focused instead on medieval history and architecture (although in Antwerp we learned about the occupation of the city during World War I and the experience of the people who had to flee).

    We enjoyed ourselves. It was easy to get around, we enjoyed the food and beer, and each place we visited lived up to the expectation and vision we had for what we wanted to do on holiday. I also had the pleasure of meeting in person my WoG wingman Thomatchef who had helped me design one of the scenarios I ran at a convention. We met over beers in Bruges where we talked about model painting, home improvements (of which we both have a lot of experience), parenting, and why Bruges is not more commonly known as Brugge.

    The pictures below show some highlights of our trip. I highly recommend visiting Belgium. We plan to visit again, this time including Ypres in the itinerary.

    Also, I highly recommend visiting the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp. It just opened about a year ago. It provides great insight into the experience of people who immigrated to Canada and the United States from Europe. If you have ancestors from Eastern Europe (like I do), there is a fair chance they traveled through Antwerp.

    Ghent
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    my wife, me, and Thomas in Bruges
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    Belfort, as seen "In Bruges"
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    Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp
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  2. #2

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    Thanks for sharing the pics, David And you met Thomas! Any more info about your ancestors?
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nightbomber View Post
    Thanks for sharing the pics, David And you met Thomas! Any more info about your ancestors?
    I think the nature of this gaming community is great. I especially appreciate playing a game that is played all over the world.

    In terms of my family, I didn't find out anything specific at the museum, only that Antwerp was a possible waystation. My family history is funny: my uncle (my father's eldest brother) is the oldest relative I have talked to about family history and he told me years ago that the family is Lithuanian. However, another uncle has said that the family is Polish (and this seems to be confirmed in that we have Facebook friends with the same last name -- Seletyn -- in Poland). On top of that, immigration records in Philadelphia my wife found from 1890 or so, listed the Seletyn passengers' country of origin as Germany. I chalk up the several countries to the complicated borders and relocations of people from times past.

    Of course, like most Americans, this is only one part of my family tree -- most of the other branches come from Ireland and England (including some people who have been in my home state since the mid-1700s).

  4. #4

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    Nice photos. I once had a quick beer in Brugge, beautiful place I hope to get to actually visit.

    Family tree... I have both my mother's parents coming through Ellis Island in the '20s from Germany. Their name was Büttner but the emmigration officer said, "You don't need two 'i's in your name", and changed it to Bittner. Since they were entering a new world they didn't question it and lived with the new name. On my dad's side are French Canadiens and native Americans. The French came to the new world in the 1630s. My native Americans were of course waiting here to meet them.

  5. #5

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    Told you I would ruin the picture . Is the other one even worse?

    It was a pleasure meeting you! Any news about your hat? I informed at work if there is no special number for employees to call lost and found but there was none. We have to follow the same procedure as you did.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by Thomatchef View Post
    Told you I would ruin the picture . Is the other one even worse?
    Ha! The picture is fine.

    Quote Originally Posted by Thomatchef View Post
    It was a pleasure meeting you! Any news about your hat? I informed at work if there is no special number for employees to call lost and found but there was none. We have to follow the same procedure as you did.
    Yeah, bummer about the hat. I didn't even wear that hat much while in Belgium anyway (which is probably why I left it on the train). Life goes on.

  7. #7

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    To quote Monty Python "You lucky, lucky .......". Thanks for the photos and glad you had a good time and were able to meet another member. 20 years in the Army and never was in Europe. All my overseas time in Asia. No wonder I like Thai/Vietnamese/Korean/Japanese & Chinese food. Oh yes and the wife is Thai.
    Last edited by BobP; 10-19-2014 at 11:41.

  8. #8

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    Great pictures David.
    I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Belgium. It is a beautiful place to visit. The picture of Antwerp reminds me of when I was there in 68. I must get back myself someday.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  9. #9

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    That picture of Ghent took me back! Had a great time there MANY years ago!

  10. #10

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    Good to hear that you've had nice time in Belgium! I've travelled this country a lot as well, since I've been making a project with belgian guys few years ago. Really a lot of nice places to visit there, apart of Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp I like Leuven very much. Oh, and Belgian beer something that cannot be forgotten...

    As for family tree, maybe that sounds strange, but everything you've written can be true. I mean for quite a long time (XV till XVIII century) Poland and Lithuania were in Crown Union. A lot of Polish people living in Lithuania and vice versa, so during that period a lot of families were mixed and people can have ancestors from both countries. As for immigration office - during XIX century Poland was occupied by three neighbours: Germany, Russia and Austro-Hungary. If, by chance, your ancestors were living in part occupied by Germany, then obviously they were coming from that country, hence country of origin in immigration documents.

  11. #11

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    Nice pictures, David.

    I nearly broke my neck, looking at no. 3 & no. 4.


    I remember your native guide from the second picture.

    Seems he guides tourits in Prague and Doncaster, too...


    I only have been once to Belgium and I was really impressed by the old city center of Brüssel and the Army museum.
    Voilà le soleil d'Austerlitz!



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