Search

A Belgian Christmas

mariesbazaar
Jan 2, 2015
2 min read

As I have previously mentioned, I spent the Christmas week in Belgium with my family, for the first time since 2010! So of course, Christmas dinners were followed by more Christmas dinners, as well as holiday parties and get-togethers. And I couldn't have been more thrilled to see all my friends and family, and all the places I got to (re-)visit while being there! Who would think that playing tourist in your own country could be so fun and fascinating? I had forgotten how beautiful Belgium was, and I want to share with you some of my favorite moments spent over there.

The first couple of days were spent relaxing (it was a vacation after all!) with my mom in the beautiful park du Chateau de la Hulpe. Such a stunning place, so quiet and peaceful. It would be difficult to describe a typical Belgian scenery better than feeding the dozens of ducks in the pond, between two rain showers, with a spectacular castle in the background. Nature and history. Welcome to the old Europe!

As a true Belgian, one of the things I miss while living across the Atlantic is the waffles, so of course within 48h of arriving I had to get some! And what better way to enjoy a "gaufre de Liege" than to devour it while strolling through the Christmas market!

After our last Christmas event, I took off with my dad and step-mom and we headed to the far south of the country, to spend a few moments away from all the holiday buzz. The backdrop was breathtaking, with views one can only see in Belgium. Streets of old brick houses, mountains covered in snowy pines, and perfectly silent forests. What more could I have asked for before my long journey back to Canada the next day? Exactly.

This will definitely be one of my favorite visits to my home country, for a few reasons... I laughed as my amazing dad took on the role of Santa for the first time, had the chance to witness my beautiful mom marry a wonderful man, and got to spent amazing moments surrounded by my two handsome brothers. I will cherish those moments forever, and cannot wait to come back.

And as today is the first day of the new year, I wish you all an amazing 2015, and may this year be the best you have had yet! Cheers!!