July in Germany

Hi All,

Wow! Hard to believe that we have been here nearly 7 months now. We have done so much and there is sure to be much more to do and see before we leave here. My update for July follows. Hope you enjoy reading about our adventures.

July 5th Rhein AFlame Tour:

Rhein AFlame is a celebration held each year along the longest stretches of the Rhine River in Germany. It is a festival termed as a "Fire, Water, Light and Culture" festival and runs Spring through Autumn. It features a different stop for each day it is held and began back in the 1930's.  War and indifference brought the festival to a halt for a time however, it was revived in the 1980's to the spectacular show that it is today.

Our tour began with us bringing 250 of our new friends aboard a cruise ship. We were treated with a welcoming toast onboard and had time to wonder the ship before our BBQ dinner was served. There was also a band that played country music, while we cruised up and down the Rhine River.

When it got dark, we stopped to see the fabulous fireworks displays, illuminated castles and the ships that were lit up sailing the river with us. If you love fireworks and castles, this is a great way to experience them both. Beautiful Scenary despite the rain that occurred: Tell me what you think.

Very Dark I know but look at the castle!
Beautiful!

Pretty Spectacular!

Cruising the Rhine River



Then, the Luxembourg Blues and Jazz Rally, the weekend of July 19th, with Visits to the American Military Cemetary and the German Military Cemetary.

Luxembourg, a country in Western Europe, is bordered by Belgium to the West and North, Germany to the East and France to the South.  The official languages spoken there are French, German and Luxembourgish (which I figured was a cross between German and French).

It is headed by a grand duke and is the world's only remaining grand duchy country and also is member of the European Union, NATO, OECD, the United Nations and Benelux.

It is a very old city with lots of old buildings and cultures but it keeps up with modern times easily enough. You can bike through the town, drive, call a taxi, bus or take the train. Oh yea, walking is also an option.



View from atop the Viaduct that
connects the town

As with most of the European cities that we have visited so far, Cathedrals and places of worship are everywhere. Some are still in operation but most are memorials to what had come before.  They all have one thing in common and that is their grandure and beauty. Luxembourg did not dissapoint.

The "Holy Citadel"
in Luxembourg



After touring the city with our local guide, we stopped to have lunch and see some more of the sites. We then proceeded to our hotel room and took a bit of a rest to get ready for the festival, later that evening.

The festival began about 7:00 pm and featured music and bands from all over the world. There were European styles, American Styles and everything in between. I even heard some Polka being played at one point. 

Best part was that you were free to walk through the streets and listen to any and all the music you wanted to. Of course, the beer was flowing and was really good! Was a fun time to just relax!!  

Next morning, we ate breakfast and headed back to Germany by way of the "The American Military Cemetary" and the "German Military Cemetary".

American Military Cemetary in Luxembourg:

There was a very surreal feeling as you entered this monument. The grounds are beautiful and full of greenery and statutes with memorials of the war and those who gave their lives. There is a small chappel there as well were you can go and worship. Seems hard to believe that this was so long ago.

Gateway to the American Military
Cemetary - Luxembourg

Markers for the Lives Lost
Each one had the Soldier's Name

Memorial to American
Lives Lost

Grave
General George S. Patton
Stories told he wanted to be
buried with his men.


 




After our visit to the American Cemetary, we went to the German Cemetary and were very surprised to see the contrast between the two. Here, you truly get the feeling that you are in a Cemetary.  It sits way far back from the main road and it is positioned in a grove of trees. There is a walkway to go in to it and the markers are ordinary. 

 

Walkway in to the German Cemetary

Grave Markers of the German Cemetary

German Cemetary

 

Both cemetaries were interesting and beautiful in their own ways. Needless to say, time for reflecting was all about.

 

 





In between our USO tours, Sterling has been working and I have been taking care of our apartment, writing, reading, working on embroidary and exploring the city we live in. I actually drove out of my comfort zone this past weekend and was very proud to say that I did not get lost!! Yippee!!

We look foward to August were we will be touring to Worms, Germany for wine tasting and to Prague for Labor Day weekend. More about that later.

For now, take care and you are in our hearts always.

Love

Sterling and Deb 



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June Updates for Sterling and Debbie

June Updates from Germany and Beyond

 

Wow! Hard to believe that June has come and gone already. I started off the month by assisting the USO with our "Mobile Canteen". We set up and served Hot Dogs, Popcorn and pop to the high school seniors who were practicing for their graduation day.  Reminded me of the days with North King County Little League when I would run the "Roach Coach" for games and events. Fun time!! 

 

Two days later, was our wedding anniversary. We spent the day with good friends, exploring castles,  and treated ourselves to a fancy dinner on the town. Nice and relaxing time. 

 

 On June 7th, we headed with the USO for a trip to Champagne and Reims France.  Our guide was a person who taught Military History at Westpoint and is now here in Germany to teach and explore Europe. The USO is very lucky to have this man as a Volunteer guide and I was very fortunate to help him with this trip.  So off we go!

 

Champagne and Reims France is known for its excellence in the creation of fine wines and champagne and also for its military history, featuring World War I and II. Reims is situated near the Marne River in the Champagne-Ardenne region and has witnessed many french kings, invading armies and even Joan of Arc.

 

1914 was the start of wars between the French and Germans in this region with the Americans adding to it in 1918. The Germans recaptured Reims in 1940 and were there until General Patton and his men, drove them out in 1944.

 

We visited the "Museum of the Surrender" (Musee de la Reddition) which was the headquarters for General Eisenhower's "Allied Expeditionary Force" in 1945 and saw the actual room where surrender documents were signed by the German forces on May 7, 1945.

Plaque Above the Surrender Room

 

Outside of the Museum of Surrender



After the Museum, we drove a little bit away and found an astonishing site in the Our Lady Of Reims Cathedral. History boost that this is the coronation site of 29 French kings and is magnificant in its grandure and architecture. There is a peaceful and surreal feeling when you enter and you marvel at all the alters and the height of the the ceilings. The Stained Glass throughout is wonderful and there is truly a feeling of peace within the cathedral. Candles are avialable for you to light at any or all the alters that you wish.  I loved this cathedral and hope that we can go back to visit again.

 

Outside of the Cathedral

Inside Ceiling of the Cathedral



One of the many alters in the Cathedral

Front Door View from the inside of the
Cathedral. Check out the Stained Glass.

Next, we ventured to the Pommery Champagne establishment were we went on a guided tour of the dungeon. This is were the champagne is stored and it is a very dark, cold and long way through the bottom of the building. We also saw sculptures and decorations on the walls that were done when the establishment was first opened.  We finished our tour here with some tastings of the very good, very expensive champagne they make and were allowed to buy what we needed.

Champagne Cave and sculpture on the wall
 

How the bottles are stored.

The tour finished up on the way back to Germany by visiting a couple of the sites that  military fighting actually took place.  You can still see where some of the bunkers were trenched and get the feeling that you were laying in one. Eery. There is also a cemetary not far that commemorates the lives lost during the battles fought.  All in all the trip was great and we had a wonderful time, learning and exploring this part of history.

 

On June 12, I started my journey back to the States to attend our son, David's Gradution from Central Washington University. I took the bus from our apartment, down to the train station, which took me directly into the Frankfurt Airport. Nice and smooth transition and guess what, no traffic or parking issues to deal with. Got To Love it. I boarded the first leg of my flight on Emerites Airline and landed in Dubai about 6 hours later. Then, I got on the next plane for my final ride into Seattle. The flight was long but Emerites Airline is the best for these kinds of flights. They were very nice and the aircraft was designed for long ventures. I had a glass of Champagne in my hand while the rest of the passengers were loading and a blanket a few minutes later with dinner and more wine. Woo hooo.  I was met at Seatac by Kristen and Ewan on Friday afternoon when I landed. We then drove to North near home and we attended my Nephew, Rowdy's graduation party. Afterwards, we drove to Ellensburg to spend the night and attend David's gradutaion the next morning.

 

Ewan Getting Ready to Watch His
Uncle David Graduate

David in Line Walking to Graduation
Ceremony!



Proud Graduate!!!!

Proud Graduate and His Proud Mama!
Sterling was celebrating with a bier at the
Wiesbaden Festival!!!

After David graduated, we went to lunch to celebrate with the family. Nice time for all. Next day, we were on the road again from Ellensburg to Bellevue, where there was a graduation party for both David and niece Catherine. It was alot of fun!! Thank you Libby and Family for hosting and for thinking of David. That was really nice of you!

 

Aunt Mary and Aunt Margaret with David.

David and Catherine opening their Graduation
Gifts as their joint party!!! Woo Hoo!!!

I spent the rest of the time in Seattle, visiting friends and family, babysitting Ewan and shopping with the kids. Was a lot of fun but now, it is time to get back in to Germany mode. 

 

Stay tuned for my next blog, which will feature the month of July!!

Much Love to you all.

Sterling and Deb

 

 



 

Busy Month Of May for Us in Germany.

Time to catch you up on what we have been doing lately.

Sterling has been working very hard, leaving for the office about 6:30 am and returns between 5:30-6:00 at night.  He works long hours but continues to enjoy the people that he works with and Germany.

While he is at work, I stay busy wondering around the city and locating different places to hang out. I also take care of the house and the little things necessary such as finding out about things we need and resolving issues as they arise.  I also still volunteer with the USO and spend about 10 hours a week, working in the office or researching different places we might like to explore.  This time is in addition to the time I spend on the different tours.

The weekends are time to play and we have fun exploring the area and other parts of Europe. This month has been particularily busy as you will see:

Rhein River Cruise on Mother's Day with the USO, May 11th:

Sterling I were aboard a river boat that took us up and down the Rhein. While we had previously travelled this stretch of river by car, it was fun to see it from the water. I did not work this cruise so we both were able to relax, enjoy the scenary and the visit with the other members of the cruise.

Pretty View from the Boat

Along with the cruise, we stopped to look at a Castle called Rheinstein. It is on the side of a mountain and you can see it from the river. Hard to walk up to becuase it sits very high and there are alot of switchbacks to get there. Sterling was brave and went up. I watched him go and took pictures from below.



Rheinstein

We also stopped and were able to shop, eat and drink in Rudesheim. Rudesheim is very quant, old and small. Lots of shops but mostly pubs and eateries. We had been there before and really like the atmosphere.  We found our favorite place to have a beer and waited out the storm that had decended upon us. When it lifted, we found a couple of places that were selling some very pretty things. Loved walking around and seeing what shops were open and what they had to offer.  Fun trip and we enjoyed it alot. Will do the cruise again but probably as a wine tour next time.

Euro Disneyland in Paris, France, May 17th with the USO:

 

Our next adventure was to the "Magic Kingdom" in France. I was working this tour so it was fun to have Sterling along to see what it was all about.  We left Weisbaden by bus at 1:00 am and after driver's stops and eating, landed at the park about 8:00 am. By the time the park opened at 10:00, we were all ready to go and have a great time.  And that we did!!!!

 

Disneyland Paris consists of a Movie Park and a Theme Park.  Sterling, Marshall (The Tour Guide) and I (The Tour Escort) went to the Movie Park first and visited some of the attractions. It was fun to see how they create some of the stunts they use, like a pit of fire. 



Prop of a fire pit. You could feel the heat from it.

 The guys ventured on to a ride that took them very high in the air and dropped them down a few times. I waited from the ground as this ride would have surely not been good for me. (I know I am  lightweight).

 



Sterling and I at the front of the entrance to the Theme Park! So Beautiful.

When we finished at the movie park, we made our way to the Theme Park and I was amazed at how beautiful the entry way was. Just like you see on the commercials. We went to a couple of the attractions here like the haunted castle and made our way around the park by train.
By this time, it was getting late in the afternoon, so we found a place that served beer and I plopped for the rest of the day. (Escorting a tour with no sleep and in the heat, had taken it's toll on me).  While the guys continued to wander, I watched the people that were coming by and found a sovenier stand not far. I was also intrigued by the Steamboat the was circling the River in front of me.

TREX



We had a great time visiting Euro Disney and will probably go again. Next time, we are planning on spending more than just a day. There is way to much to see in that short of time. But for now, we can cross that off our "Bucket List".

Me and My Sovenier



Pottery Shopping in Boleslawiec Poland (on our own)
Memorial Day Weekend May 23-26

 

 

Pottery Shopping in Poland is AMAZING!!!! 

 

I had heard that pottery shopping in Europe was the best and that has been so true so far!!!!  I acquired some amazing pieces on my trip to Italy last month and Sterling and I had a great time Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Our trip started with our long 5 1/2 drive to Boleslawiec Poland, about 635 Kilometers away in the Southern portion of Poland. The trip itself was very interesting as it was raining most of the way there.  In one spot, we almost had to pull of to the side of the Autobahn as it was raining so hard we could hardly see.  But, we made it and checked in to our very interesting and quaint motel, called the Hotel Garden. 

 

The Hotel Garden is situated not far from the main part of Boleslawiec.  We think it used to be a chinese place because it has alot of decor that depicts this era.  Not so new but the rooms were adequate and the food was really good. Not bad for an overnight trip.

 

We came away with lots of cool pieces to display and use.  We are planning a trip to the Ceramics Festival in August. This will be fun because the vendors that we visited in May, will be there all in one place.  We will have more time to shop as we will not be driving all over.  Should be a great trip and we will blog about it when we return.

 

So, that brings you up to date through the end of May. Next Blog will be June and the first part of July!!