Due to my extreme procrastination, I am posting this approximately a week late. But never fear - I will have my Amsterdam post within the week.
Last Saturday, we were all separated into 3 different groups. Each group took a bus to a different place with a few professors and explored Europe in different ways. My group was able to travel to three countries (France, Germany, and Luxembourg) in less than a day. It really made me realize how many places are accessible to us with a short bus or train ride. This short trip was the beginning of a long semester traveling around Europe!
Saturday, August 30th
We began the day separating in groups and loading a picnic onto a bus. All I knew was that we were going to three different countries and having a picnic somewhere. So the entire day was almost a complete surprise!
We look about an hour ride to Schengen, Luxembourg and had a lunch consisting of an egg, pickle, and ham sandwich, apple, chips, and a chocolate hazelnut candy bar. We had a run in with some very large/hungry ducks, but they kept their distance for the most part.
What was really nice about Schengen was that we were able to cross a bridge over to Germany and see three different countries at once. Here's a picture from the bridge. Unfortunately, I only got two countries in there, but you get the idea of how beautiful this place is.
Last Saturday, we were all separated into 3 different groups. Each group took a bus to a different place with a few professors and explored Europe in different ways. My group was able to travel to three countries (France, Germany, and Luxembourg) in less than a day. It really made me realize how many places are accessible to us with a short bus or train ride. This short trip was the beginning of a long semester traveling around Europe!
Saturday, August 30th
We began the day separating in groups and loading a picnic onto a bus. All I knew was that we were going to three different countries and having a picnic somewhere. So the entire day was almost a complete surprise!
We look about an hour ride to Schengen, Luxembourg and had a lunch consisting of an egg, pickle, and ham sandwich, apple, chips, and a chocolate hazelnut candy bar. We had a run in with some very large/hungry ducks, but they kept their distance for the most part.
What was really nice about Schengen was that we were able to cross a bridge over to Germany and see three different countries at once. Here's a picture from the bridge. Unfortunately, I only got two countries in there, but you get the idea of how beautiful this place is.
There was also a museum of all the countries who were in the Schengen region. I didn't go in, but they had pillars of stars with each star representing a different country. Close by, there was a piece of the Berlin Wall. It had graffiti drawn all over it from before the wall was knocked down. It was very cool to see a piece of history that I've only read about.
I walked to Germany and I was even able to be in two places at once! So far - I felt like I was having a pretty good day.
We then moved on to the Hackenberg Bunker in France. This came as a complete surprise since I thought we were just touring around the area and not actually doing anything.
The Hackenberg Bunker was made by the French and taken over by Germany during World War II. We were able to go in and take a two hour tour of the underground bunker. We saw so many cool things like old missiles, tanks, uniforms, and other war materials. The tour guide even demonstrated how one of the missile launchers worked (some of the machinery is still slightly functioning!) This was one of my favorite places to see because of all the history behind it and it gave me a glimpse into what facilities people used during war. Here's some pictures!
I walked to Germany and I was even able to be in two places at once! So far - I felt like I was having a pretty good day.
We then moved on to the Hackenberg Bunker in France. This came as a complete surprise since I thought we were just touring around the area and not actually doing anything.
The Hackenberg Bunker was made by the French and taken over by Germany during World War II. We were able to go in and take a two hour tour of the underground bunker. We saw so many cool things like old missiles, tanks, uniforms, and other war materials. The tour guide even demonstrated how one of the missile launchers worked (some of the machinery is still slightly functioning!) This was one of my favorite places to see because of all the history behind it and it gave me a glimpse into what facilities people used during war. Here's some pictures!
After we spent two cold hours touring an underground 'city' (it was giant), we got back on the bus and were told we were going to visit a winery.
As we drove up, there was a hill filled with grape vines that went as far as I could see. We walked into the winery and I smelled the familiar fragrance of when my family would make wine in our garage.
We watched a short clip of how wine is made and then moved on to see the facilities. I couldn't believe how big some of the containers were to hold the wine as it was being made. It was so interesting to see how a winery makes mass quantities while ensuring quality as well. After touring the building, we had a wine tasting of some of their more popular wines. I felt so old and cool, drinking wine with friends and learning about the differences between each glass. Here's some pictures:
As we drove up, there was a hill filled with grape vines that went as far as I could see. We walked into the winery and I smelled the familiar fragrance of when my family would make wine in our garage.
We watched a short clip of how wine is made and then moved on to see the facilities. I couldn't believe how big some of the containers were to hold the wine as it was being made. It was so interesting to see how a winery makes mass quantities while ensuring quality as well. After touring the building, we had a wine tasting of some of their more popular wines. I felt so old and cool, drinking wine with friends and learning about the differences between each glass. Here's some pictures:
After we were finished and feeling good - we drove back to Luxembourg City where the largest festivals of the year was happening. We were planning on getting dinner from one of the restaurants they set up just for the fair, but we had a hard time finding it. It ended up taking us about 30 minutes to find our restaurant, but we were able to get a good look at what a Luxembourgish fair is like. The rides were so much more intense than any fair rides I've seen in the states. They had some rides I would find at Cedar Point - but they each cost at least 3 euros. Their fair food consists of mostly waffles or crepes instead of our glorious funnel cakes, but they tasted good, too! There were a ton of venders selling trinkets and candies which was so cool to see!
After we got into the restaurant, we were able to order a beer and dinner (MUDEC's treat) which consisted of Luxembourgish sausage and fries. It was absolutely delicious! Once we finished, Micayla, Andrew and I decided to walk around the fair a little more, buy some crepes, and eventually go home. We got a bit lost trying to get back to Differdange, but we made it!
Below you can see my dinner, a picture of the ferris wheel, and a tribute to good ol' America.
After we got into the restaurant, we were able to order a beer and dinner (MUDEC's treat) which consisted of Luxembourgish sausage and fries. It was absolutely delicious! Once we finished, Micayla, Andrew and I decided to walk around the fair a little more, buy some crepes, and eventually go home. We got a bit lost trying to get back to Differdange, but we made it!
Below you can see my dinner, a picture of the ferris wheel, and a tribute to good ol' America.
Overall, this entire day was such an awesome experience to have and I can't believe I saw so much in less that 12 hours! Can't wait to see what else I can discover in short amounts of time.