I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell people Luxembourg is actually its own country (if you're one of those people, don't feel bad! I thought it was a city in Germany when I first heard of it, too). I'm not going to lie - I questioned how great of a city Luxembourg actually was before I got here. And let me tell you, after taking a tour of this beautiful place, I'm so mad at myself for ever doubting its awesomeness.
Friday, 29 August 2014
Jet lag is hitting hard right about now, but MUDEC has so many things planned for us, we don't have time to think about which way is up.
We had some lectures in the morning (again), lunch, and then we all boarded the bus to tour some cemeteries and Luxembourg City.
Our first stop was the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. This is the place of rest for the American soldiers who died during the Battle of the Bulge. The land was given to America as a gift from Luxembourg for preventing Germany from taking over their small country. General Patton is also buried here although he wasn't killed during battle.
When we first entered the cemetery, I immediately thought of the Arlington National Cemetery. The American flag was flying high and each grave was marked with a white marble cross. The entire cemetery was perfectly manicured and emitted so much American pride while solemnly honoring the soldiers who gave their lives. The picture below is only a small part of the cemetery with a couple graves marked with the Star of David for the Jewish soldiers.
Friday, 29 August 2014
Jet lag is hitting hard right about now, but MUDEC has so many things planned for us, we don't have time to think about which way is up.
We had some lectures in the morning (again), lunch, and then we all boarded the bus to tour some cemeteries and Luxembourg City.
Our first stop was the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. This is the place of rest for the American soldiers who died during the Battle of the Bulge. The land was given to America as a gift from Luxembourg for preventing Germany from taking over their small country. General Patton is also buried here although he wasn't killed during battle.
When we first entered the cemetery, I immediately thought of the Arlington National Cemetery. The American flag was flying high and each grave was marked with a white marble cross. The entire cemetery was perfectly manicured and emitted so much American pride while solemnly honoring the soldiers who gave their lives. The picture below is only a small part of the cemetery with a couple graves marked with the Star of David for the Jewish soldiers.
Overall, this memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives was truly moving and I'm so glad I was able to see such a place.
We then moved onto the Sandweiler German War Cemetery were the German soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Bulge were buried. Germany bought the land from Luxembourg so they could remind people that these soldiers were still young men who still lost their lives.
It gave off almost the complete opposite feeling of the previous cemetery we visited. We entered through a small gravel pathway under a canopy of trees darkening the entrance. Inside, we were told that there were four soldiers per grave which was marked with a dark stone cross. Here's a few pictures of both cemeteries below. I'm sure you'll be able to tell which is which.
It gave off almost the complete opposite feeling of the previous cemetery we visited. We entered through a small gravel pathway under a canopy of trees darkening the entrance. Inside, we were told that there were four soldiers per grave which was marked with a dark stone cross. Here's a few pictures of both cemeteries below. I'm sure you'll be able to tell which is which.
After we finished at the cemeteries, we began our journey to Luxembourg City. We stopped at the Gëlle Fra (Golden Lady) monument, then all of the students got into small groups and were assigned to a professor to help guide them throughout the city. Here's a picture of the Golden Lady.
Our first stop was to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg. This place was gorgeous on the outside, but magnificent on the inside. Soon after we walked in, we were able to hear chanting echo throughout the high ceilinged church which added a certain element to the cathedral that I can't explain. The most interesting thing that heard about Notre-Dame, Luxembourg was that it housed the remains of the Grand-Ducal family. When we went downstairs, we were able to see a crypt and although I wasn't sure who was in it, it was very cool to see. (See pictures below)
Then we went towards the Grund of Luxembourg. All I can do is show you a picture because I can't really describe how awesome it was. This picture really doesn't do it justice, but take a look!
Our first stop was to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg. This place was gorgeous on the outside, but magnificent on the inside. Soon after we walked in, we were able to hear chanting echo throughout the high ceilinged church which added a certain element to the cathedral that I can't explain. The most interesting thing that heard about Notre-Dame, Luxembourg was that it housed the remains of the Grand-Ducal family. When we went downstairs, we were able to see a crypt and although I wasn't sure who was in it, it was very cool to see. (See pictures below)
Then we went towards the Grund of Luxembourg. All I can do is show you a picture because I can't really describe how awesome it was. This picture really doesn't do it justice, but take a look!
After that, we traveled around the rest of the city and saw so many cool things I couldn't even begin to describe them all to you. All I can do is show you pictures. We were able to go through a very small portion of medieval building that was still around, which was another one of the coolest things I've done so far. But again, check out the pictures below!
After touring the city, we went back to the chateau and then home to get ready for a White Night barbecue. The party was fun, but me and a few friends decided to grab some gelato and watch a live band in the center of Differdange.
Finally, we went home because we were so tired from the adventures of the day. Micayla and I changed out of our white outfits and got in our beds, when all of a sudden I heard Micayla jump up. I looked over, and there was the biggest green bug I've ever seen. We both strategized how to capture it, and our best plan was to get it into the tuple ware I brought from home. As soon as I approached it, I realized it had wings and it began flying around the room. We freaked out a little, then decided to ask our housemates for a little help. Thankfully, Madison isn't afraid of bugs, so she entered our room and began to look for the giant creature. As Micayla and I stood outside of the room waiting for her to get it, we start hearing loud bangs and some mumbled words of disgust. Turns out Madison got a shoe and hammered the bug deep into the underworld. It's safe to say that we no longer had to worry about that particular bug wandering around our room again.
I'm quickly learning that Luxembourg has a lot of adventures for us to encounter. Everything from beautiful cathedrals, to a giant fortress, to monstrous flying bugs. Each day I've been surprised by one thing or another, and I can't wait to see what these next four months have in store.
Picture time!
After touring the city, we went back to the chateau and then home to get ready for a White Night barbecue. The party was fun, but me and a few friends decided to grab some gelato and watch a live band in the center of Differdange.
Finally, we went home because we were so tired from the adventures of the day. Micayla and I changed out of our white outfits and got in our beds, when all of a sudden I heard Micayla jump up. I looked over, and there was the biggest green bug I've ever seen. We both strategized how to capture it, and our best plan was to get it into the tuple ware I brought from home. As soon as I approached it, I realized it had wings and it began flying around the room. We freaked out a little, then decided to ask our housemates for a little help. Thankfully, Madison isn't afraid of bugs, so she entered our room and began to look for the giant creature. As Micayla and I stood outside of the room waiting for her to get it, we start hearing loud bangs and some mumbled words of disgust. Turns out Madison got a shoe and hammered the bug deep into the underworld. It's safe to say that we no longer had to worry about that particular bug wandering around our room again.
I'm quickly learning that Luxembourg has a lot of adventures for us to encounter. Everything from beautiful cathedrals, to a giant fortress, to monstrous flying bugs. Each day I've been surprised by one thing or another, and I can't wait to see what these next four months have in store.
Picture time!