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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