Luxembourg

Yes, we went to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. About 30 miles wide and 50 miles long (smaller than Rhode Island), but well worth the trip! On our way the train stopped for over an hour, something wrong with another train ahead. We entertained ourselves with ipods (theirs, not mine), Chinese poker, eating cheese and Trace showing off his turban-tying skills. The man next to us really had a great time watching us.


It was kind of dusky when we came in, but the walk from the station to the "old town" part was great. It was sunset time and walking in on the bridge you noticed the whole old part was situated on this cliff and parts had been built up with an old citadel. We walked around and enjoyed the vistas and took a long time to find food. We splurged and got a great meal (EVERYTHING comes with fries. Even at nice places with a fancier meal, we still got fries!)...and wonderful desserts.


The next day we got up with the bells of the Notre Dame church, which were quite elaborate. Again we wandered around, got postcards. So, the Royal Family is highly thought of here - very normal considering. They send their kids to public schools, they don't show off too much and people just like them. Even Hermanio met the Grand Duke and Duchess!


We toured the casements which are a world heritage site. They were built in the 900s when the whole citadel was built. They were expanded from time to time, more than 20 were eventually built. During WWI and WWII they were used as bomb shelters and held 35,000 people. They just kept going and going and to think that was only one of them!


We saw Notre Dame, picked up a couple of things, found a playground (!) and pressed on to...Germany!