Moien! (Luxembourgish for "hello!")
Today, we did quite a bit of traveling! We went to the Chateau in the morning (and made it on time, we were actually early!), then had lunch, and took buses to Luxembourg City and the American and German Military Cemeteries. This post is going to be filled with a lot of history and a ton of pictures, so prepare yourself!
(Even though it is going to be a little out of order) I will tell you about Luxembourg City first. We traveled around the city by bus and by foot. We saw many important buildings, such as multiple embassies, where the European Union was created, and buildings related to art, like the music hall and art museums. We went to several buildings belonging to the government of Luxembourg. Now I know it's been in the news that some people have gotten onto the lawn and even into the White House, but there are quite a few precautions taken so that everyone can't go up to the front door and knock to see the President (at this point you are probably wondering where in the world I am going with this, but just hang on). Well, in Luxembourg, I could walk up to the Prime Minister's house, knock on the door, and most likely he would answer (past students of Miami actually did this on a scavenger hunt, if they got a picture with him they got 20 points and it has happened on multiple occasions). Right next door is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is also a statue of the Grand Duchess who was leading the country during WWII, but many thought she was helping the Germans so she was taken out of the position even though she actually kept the country together, she later came back as an immigrant to Luxembourg. If you walked about 2-3 blocks away, the Grand Palace will be right there. It is beautiful! Right across from it is a restaurant/bakery called the Chocolate House.
The Chocolate House is adorable and now one of my favorites places to go. They have so many different chocolates and cakes, it is amazing! The area we were in also had many great shops, so I will be heading back there on Sunday!
Next in Luxembourg City, we went to Um Bock, which is actually the area where I live and happens to be very historical! The area is actually where Luxembourg began in 963 AD for the Roman Empire. It has two valleys and in between them is where the fortress used to be. In the mid 1800s, the fortress had to be taken down so that the country could become neutralized, but they were smart. They only took down a few floors and buried the fortress, so later parts could be resalvaged to keep the history it holds. (That's what I was talking about in the post before this!) The area has also been redone in most parts making it into restaurants, museums, and a culture center (by Miami professors and alum!) that we will be visiting in our downtime, since it is so close!
Today, we did quite a bit of traveling! We went to the Chateau in the morning (and made it on time, we were actually early!), then had lunch, and took buses to Luxembourg City and the American and German Military Cemeteries. This post is going to be filled with a lot of history and a ton of pictures, so prepare yourself!
(Even though it is going to be a little out of order) I will tell you about Luxembourg City first. We traveled around the city by bus and by foot. We saw many important buildings, such as multiple embassies, where the European Union was created, and buildings related to art, like the music hall and art museums. We went to several buildings belonging to the government of Luxembourg. Now I know it's been in the news that some people have gotten onto the lawn and even into the White House, but there are quite a few precautions taken so that everyone can't go up to the front door and knock to see the President (at this point you are probably wondering where in the world I am going with this, but just hang on). Well, in Luxembourg, I could walk up to the Prime Minister's house, knock on the door, and most likely he would answer (past students of Miami actually did this on a scavenger hunt, if they got a picture with him they got 20 points and it has happened on multiple occasions). Right next door is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is also a statue of the Grand Duchess who was leading the country during WWII, but many thought she was helping the Germans so she was taken out of the position even though she actually kept the country together, she later came back as an immigrant to Luxembourg. If you walked about 2-3 blocks away, the Grand Palace will be right there. It is beautiful! Right across from it is a restaurant/bakery called the Chocolate House.
The Chocolate House is adorable and now one of my favorites places to go. They have so many different chocolates and cakes, it is amazing! The area we were in also had many great shops, so I will be heading back there on Sunday!
Next in Luxembourg City, we went to Um Bock, which is actually the area where I live and happens to be very historical! The area is actually where Luxembourg began in 963 AD for the Roman Empire. It has two valleys and in between them is where the fortress used to be. In the mid 1800s, the fortress had to be taken down so that the country could become neutralized, but they were smart. They only took down a few floors and buried the fortress, so later parts could be resalvaged to keep the history it holds. (That's what I was talking about in the post before this!) The area has also been redone in most parts making it into restaurants, museums, and a culture center (by Miami professors and alum!) that we will be visiting in our downtime, since it is so close!
The American and German Military cemeteries were eye opening. They were completely different. The land for American military cemetery was given to the United States by Luxembourg, while Germany had to buy the land. Also, the U.S. upkeeps the cemetery itself and many have visited, around 60,000 Americans a year, former presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George H.W. Bush, and the royal family of Luxembourg. An association from Germany maintains that cemetery. The feel of the American cemetery was very open and inviting, it made you want to pay your respects for that were lost. General George S. Patton, Jr. is buried there at the front of all of the service men that parished as if he is leading them. The graves are lined up, as if at attention, facing the chapel that is magnificently made. Every soldier has their own marker, whether a cross or the Star of David. The German cemetery feels almost the exact opposite of it. It is a very constricting entrance, where there are 4 graves to every cross. Also, there is a mass grave with 4829 people buried in a very small space, who are marked on plaques surrounding the giant cross in the middle. The American cemetery filled you with pride and respect, while the German cemetery almost felt uncomfortable in how it was almost not commemorative at all for those that served. | |
I hope this was interesting for everyone, like always it is a little scatter-brained and there are probably mistakes because I'm really tired, so sorry about that!
Addi, (Luxembourgish for "goodbye!", normally I say "Talk to you soon" but I couldn't find it.)
Kirsten
Addi, (Luxembourgish for "goodbye!", normally I say "Talk to you soon" but I couldn't find it.)
Kirsten