Bottoms Up in Belgium: Seeking the High Points of the Low Land

After moving to Belgium, one man makes it his personal quest to prove that his new home is not as boring as the world thinks

Until 1993, Alec had never been to Belgium, so it came as some surprise when in August that year he found himself at the altar of a small church in Flanders, reciting wedding vows in Flemish. It was the start, for better or for worse, of a long relationship with this unassuming and much maligned little country. He decided to put worldwide opinion to the test: is Belgium really as boring as people say it is? Immersing himself in Belgian culture—and sampling the local beer and "cat poo" coffee along the way—he discovers a country of contradictions; of Michelin stars and processed food, where Trappist monks make the best beer in the world, and grown men partake in vertical archery and watch roosters sing (not necessarily at the same time). This colorful and eccentric jaunt is proof that Belgium isn’t just a load of waffles.