Valerie's Adventures

Burg Hohenzollern

Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Valerie 0

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1asw2iVjEnvNZqySf4p36IZeuein2toa-8lIG1_R_GOtUBFwZRu5xdDuCCkt63Xd9kNOX_TiziwQ56NXGuXTTU_wb97OszsnTk-VoZCGSyWq9R-oOiQrQmP-KqvvwwXnR0et7vQKLphde/s1600/P1000352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1asw2iVjEnvNZqySf4p36IZeuein2toa-8lIG1_R_GOtUBFwZRu5xdDuCCkt63Xd9kNOX_TiziwQ56NXGuXTTU_wb97OszsnTk-VoZCGSyWq9R-oOiQrQmP-KqvvwwXnR0et7vQKLphde/s200/P1000352.JPG" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Kurt and Elvira</td></tr>
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A couple weeks ago I went down to visit Kurt and Elvira in Spaichingen for a 4-day weekend.  They always make me feel so comfortable and welcome in their home.  It was nice to just relax and have no agenda.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgAGrsj7IbIotBMa7NXcS-YQ6os7etuWhk4bK_gAn5Ovc0xmnJ02Dxgjf1CwKxYto_At0wxy6Ir_UP2nli9J8pruj7v3EzRoqg7rsb3PJqm3tt_Dss8H2q2O5b4EluJX7H9GTqWXVFtOL/s1600/DSCN1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgAGrsj7IbIotBMa7NXcS-YQ6os7etuWhk4bK_gAn5Ovc0xmnJ02Dxgjf1CwKxYto_At0wxy6Ir_UP2nli9J8pruj7v3EzRoqg7rsb3PJqm3tt_Dss8H2q2O5b4EluJX7H9GTqWXVFtOL/s200/DSCN1113.JPG" width="200" /></a>However, we did go see a castle!<br />
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I love seeing castles in Germany.  Probably because castles in the States are no where near as old and have a completely different style of architecture.  In any case, the castle we visited is called <i>Burg Hohenzollern</i>.  The tour was in German and I was actually feeling a little light-headed that day, so I did not catch all the information being thrown at me.  But it didn't matter, because I was just enjoying the beauty of the castle.  The interior was decorated, but not too ornate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">great room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ioaIVBGspczXKl2D0YbcMctrTtxjfZvlJFj8VyPwdSusmxybzb-lCraVdrE9WMEEp_7kxz-6pHeU1xCO6TT8rAxFtldkAgpyhWNBaaSswQWIF8R63nPmrdFMpLjfGnK_S8I5Qs5SDELp/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ioaIVBGspczXKl2D0YbcMctrTtxjfZvlJFj8VyPwdSusmxybzb-lCraVdrE9WMEEp_7kxz-6pHeU1xCO6TT8rAxFtldkAgpyhWNBaaSswQWIF8R63nPmrdFMpLjfGnK_S8I5Qs5SDELp/s320/DSCN1108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">special slippers we had to wear while on the tour</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from castle</td></tr>
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The only thing that disappointed me was that the castle wasn't ever <i>lived</i> in.  It was built for the family to use as private rooms, meeting rooms, and places to store family artifacts, but people didn't actually sleep and eat and live there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Elvira in the courtyard</td></tr>
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However, it was still a beautiful place to visit and as we were driving away the clouds came up and it totally looked like the Dracula castle!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">creepy and beautiful at the same time</td></tr>
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Burg Hohenzollern

with Kurt and Elvira A couple weeks ago I went down to visit Kurt and Elvira in Spaichingen for a 4-day weekend. They always make me fe...

Oktoberfest on Base

Friday, October 11, 2013 Valerie 2

Every year on the NATO Airbase in Geilenkirchen is an Oktoberfest celebration.  Put on by the German officer's club on base, tickets can be purchased by anyone who works on the base and they are welcome to bring guests.  Obviously security is enforced and all guests require passport identification.  Before entering the hangar, there was also a bag search and a pat-down (albeit not as thorough as the TSA...).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oktoberfest ticket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the hangar on base</td></tr>
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There were several things I liked about the Oktoberfest on base versus the one in München last year.  First of all, this one was smaller with about 3,000 people.  This means there was enough space to find a table and still be able to walk around without losing your seat.  Second, this was at a location where I already knew people.  Although there were a lot of people at the event, I saw someone I knew every few minutes and was able to do a lot of socializing!  Third, it was on a military base.  I wasn't worried about someone stealing my wallet or kidnapping me or anything stupid.  This Oktoberfest was just a big party with people I knew in a safe and comfortable environment!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prost!</td></tr>
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Oktoberfest on Base

Every year on the NATO Airbase in Geilenkirchen is an Oktoberfest celebration. Put on by the German officer's club on base, tickets can...

Max at 13 Weeks

Wednesday, October 09, 2013 Valerie 2

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs3aO9h1vhDTx70mlIcmHM8b74piMXAs8WJwklLOLW4W2rZSGbfWKnwYKegk1qNRusnSnmA_hJs51P7y-_3IaUPUyX48E12TpMaWqSEurPyfxF78ClJyCsOJh4IJIIwEN6HLalHovwTTa/s1600/IMG_1701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqs3aO9h1vhDTx70mlIcmHM8b74piMXAs8WJwklLOLW4W2rZSGbfWKnwYKegk1qNRusnSnmA_hJs51P7y-_3IaUPUyX48E12TpMaWqSEurPyfxF78ClJyCsOJh4IJIIwEN6HLalHovwTTa/s200/IMG_1701.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">puppy kisses!</td></tr>
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Max is exactly 3 months and 1 week old today.  And he is still the cutest thing on the face of the planet!  I am totally wrapped around his little paw.  I feel so happy whenever he is with me. <br />
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Jonathan has allowed me to have him at work several times, and Max just quietly sleeps under my desk.  Whenever a visitor comes into the office, he wakes up to greet them and play for a few minutes before going back to sleep. <br />
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Max is such a good dog and Jonathan has already trained him well for being so young.  He lets me know when he needs to go out by walking over the the door and whimpering.  Thankfully, there is a grassy area right outside my office door. <br />
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Everyone at work loves him and my boss keeps telling me that I can bring him into the office anytime.  I'm not sure if Max is technically allowed to be there, but no one seems to mind.  In fact, everyone loves him!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmoLYPdk-4zFtIbRSdAVB-_TX7YLeX-Y6Jqk3EJoJK5yWOVS49TNIxaX0TJWu1NBUB7f0f86mihty791UGPifpEymlK8ug_LiwGZCM4w14OXima3se_Ta-y0W8SzO8XynWtmuzoXAWFvv/s1600/IMG_1661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmoLYPdk-4zFtIbRSdAVB-_TX7YLeX-Y6Jqk3EJoJK5yWOVS49TNIxaX0TJWu1NBUB7f0f86mihty791UGPifpEymlK8ug_LiwGZCM4w14OXima3se_Ta-y0W8SzO8XynWtmuzoXAWFvv/s320/IMG_1661.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sleeping under my desk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hne_RLVDFpZmt3ydQUwz2rEtOW7xdimjFv6nSZ13EkCVBpVFSzEHsE1te-2ahOhYEwhyQpPhPYPEsCNKkXXbObo6DuLsVjs-z53UCD8EgWj_fMopQDy0SeSLb4cIKoCu-ZXv9o8EtNsX/s1600/IMG_1704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hne_RLVDFpZmt3ydQUwz2rEtOW7xdimjFv6nSZ13EkCVBpVFSzEHsE1te-2ahOhYEwhyQpPhPYPEsCNKkXXbObo6DuLsVjs-z53UCD8EgWj_fMopQDy0SeSLb4cIKoCu-ZXv9o8EtNsX/s320/IMG_1704.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can't resist that face!</td></tr>
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All of my students love him too.  In fact one of them came by and let Max play with his hat for a couple minutes in the office one day.  Max was so enamored with it, that the student brought by an old hat the next day to give to Max because it didn't fit him anymore.  Max absolutely loves when I throw the hat on his head and he can't get it off!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRl3NNBIz30SNzhk5Zn0Mz3kcyrXDxVLbfx3En1YdiiW4PF9VHVsd8YimwE4rokf2ghD_gfLptmuXAx3yTkiJJt3yOLMG1JGZPqMaPux2HBCVpdwQinimklUekKnPqcux2odbv99WTNG7/s1600/IMG_1715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRl3NNBIz30SNzhk5Zn0Mz3kcyrXDxVLbfx3En1YdiiW4PF9VHVsd8YimwE4rokf2ghD_gfLptmuXAx3yTkiJJt3yOLMG1JGZPqMaPux2HBCVpdwQinimklUekKnPqcux2odbv99WTNG7/s320/IMG_1715.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Max gets to stay with me overnight about once a week and I am so thankful for the time I get to spend with him.  He has everything he needs at my apartment including food/water dishes, toys, treats, wet and dry food, and a doggie bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneNwYMpeihCqWgLFDmGHHJ4i6Ya_UWyM2dxvN4wrwZpZC4kn56OaOBh76TUAGU22dX667js3upDI5LXZtb9ETW8vaOWrkug2MIRc-DqpMMHKeYzsMrQC8gTHvJWOCaYOXuot0Bgd-Wir_/s1600/IMG_1712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneNwYMpeihCqWgLFDmGHHJ4i6Ya_UWyM2dxvN4wrwZpZC4kn56OaOBh76TUAGU22dX667js3upDI5LXZtb9ETW8vaOWrkug2MIRc-DqpMMHKeYzsMrQC8gTHvJWOCaYOXuot0Bgd-Wir_/s320/IMG_1712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jonathan keeps telling me that I need to get a dog myself.  Maybe he is afraid that I will take Max one day and flee the country!  But I really do love Max and I look forward to the day (hopefully in the near future!) when I finally have a dog of my own.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mom, I'm trying to sleep here!"</td></tr>
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Max at 13 Weeks

puppy kisses! Max is exactly 3 months and 1 week old today. And he is still the cutest thing on the face of the planet! I am totally w...

Beautiful Monschau

Tuesday, October 08, 2013 Valerie 3

At the end of September, my friend Dave had his birthday and wanted to take a couple days off of work to celebrate.  Somehow he and his wife Emily convinced me (and I convinced my boss) to take the day off of work and go with them to the beautiful city of Monschau.  Not far from Aachen and on the border to Belgium, Monschau is a quaint, little, picturesque German town nestled in a valley.<br />
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One thing interesting about the area surrounding Monschau is that there are still remnants of "dragon's teeth" outside the city.  These concrete pyramids were used as a blockade against military tanks during WWII.  Driving around the Monschau area, you can see rows and rows of them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dragon's teeth</td></tr>
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Ever since I moved to this area, everyone has told me about Monschau.  Apparently they have a wonderful Weihnachtsmarkt there at Christmastime, so I will probably have to go back.  One of the main things Monschau is known for is its mustard mill.  And let me tell you...the mustard in Monschau is really good!  There are several shops to try all sorts of varieties of mustard.  But my favorite is the Johannisbeer mustard (Johannis berry is a small red berry that we do not have in the USA--not sour, but not sweet).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">streets of Monschau</td></tr>
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It was a relaxing day of just wandering around the town, eating (a lot!), and browsing the different shops.  We had lunch at a restaurant right on the canal and Dave had a good view of the town.  It was his birthday, afterall.  I tried the mustard soup.  I have come a long way from absolutely hating mustard a couple years ago.  Now I love it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and me at lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mustard soup</td></tr>
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The town was really beautiful and I definitely want to go back at Christmastime.  And since it's not very far from where I live, anyone who comes to visit me can go there with me!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">canal in the middle of Monschau</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Emily and Dave</td></tr>
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Beautiful Monschau

At the end of September, my friend Dave had his birthday and wanted to take a couple days off of work to celebrate. Somehow he and his wife...

Trip to Hof

Monday, October 07, 2013 Valerie 1

After my adventures in and around Spangdahlem, I finally was able to visit my cousins in Hof for the weekend!  I hadn't seen them for several months and a visit was looooooooong overdue.   Going to Hof is always like a vacation for me.  I feel so comfortable and at home being with my family.<br />
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I enjoy going with Helmut to the market and running errands with Jeanette.  But my absolute favorite is coffee time!  Although it was a little cool, we still sat outside on the patio.  I love just sitting with Jeanette and Helmut to talk and slowly enjoy coffee and cake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmm...pastries!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best time of day</td></tr>
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Over the weekend, Jeanette baked a plum cake to go with our afternoon coffee one day.  It was SO delicious that I had to have 2 pieces!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanette's plum cake</td></tr>
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We are all so busy, but hopefully I will get to see the Hofer Haas Familie again soon!<br />
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Trip to Hof

After my adventures in and around Spangdahlem, I finally was able to visit my cousins in Hof for the weekend! I hadn't seen them for se...

Trier: Oldest City in Germany

Sunday, October 06, 2013 Valerie 1

Well...being the oldest city in Germany may or may not be true.  Köln also has ruins left over from the Romans, so it is uncertain which city is older.  In any case, I decided to go visit Trier one evening after working in Spangdahlem.  Why not?<br />
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My first stop was the Porta Nigra, meaning "black gate," which was built sometime in the 2nd century A.D.  Honestly, it wasn't that exciting.  Interesting, but not exciting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">south side of gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">north side of gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman arches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of city from Porta Nigra</td></tr>
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The next stop was the cathedral, which was absolutely beautiful.  It was much larger than I expected and had a peaceful outdoor cemetery for various bishops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside of cathedral</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BAR0CWI1va1m9YzAP9Z_hoRbNt7IFJcdZ_OuuOR2LN1CkLqZ2fnt_IG61e60dv71d3sUbxJNMjWV9jpSaD423r6L3nQDR_zBE053yX1lyuoIheJegyyRry6nCfYUhndGakd-MXdlNU8k/s1600/DSCN1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BAR0CWI1va1m9YzAP9Z_hoRbNt7IFJcdZ_OuuOR2LN1CkLqZ2fnt_IG61e60dv71d3sUbxJNMjWV9jpSaD423r6L3nQDR_zBE053yX1lyuoIheJegyyRry6nCfYUhndGakd-MXdlNU8k/s320/DSCN1043.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">outdoor cemetery area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbvXeZeo6mwYLPHjz77RfozHjE-nqoKWdj3U3UjWQfUEW8M0SheybobuGFzw8WTvxLdy5u8FjjtsPJBiGjrFES_4BMjShzqCN5rVVHWcc9lO43SByefYAUecXe-IpitcAPLhz8DACJ9PJ/s1600/DSCN1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbvXeZeo6mwYLPHjz77RfozHjE-nqoKWdj3U3UjWQfUEW8M0SheybobuGFzw8WTvxLdy5u8FjjtsPJBiGjrFES_4BMjShzqCN5rVVHWcc9lO43SByefYAUecXe-IpitcAPLhz8DACJ9PJ/s320/DSCN1035.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in front of cathedral</td></tr>
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It was a rainy evening, but I did a little bit of shopping and mostly just walked around the downtown area.  The city has a lot of history, which I may explore at a later time.<br />
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Trier: Oldest City in Germany

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Afternoon in Luxembourg

Saturday, October 05, 2013 Valerie 1

I know I am several weeks behind on my blog entries...I will catch up in the next few days!<br />
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About a month ago, I went down to work at the US Airbase in Spangdahlem, Germany.  The Embry-Riddle assistant director was leaving and they needed someone to fill-in for a couple weeks.  While there, I decided to do some sight-seeing in the area (not to mention play lots of golf!).<br />
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My first stop was Luxembourg, which is about an hour away from the base.  I had heard about the American Military Cemetery there and wanted to see General Patton's grave.  I picked a good day and time to visit, because there were only a handful of people there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMOJRk0K54nhsG3rglRpd9HXDAS_tk9kK7vQRbFWVib_WeIUeurbM9bXZxVMhARUfvXbGo6aXk3I6V3WeOfDLA_GDjiZs8N45bPhk5BNzovm2c-gDsoMHVAEZZfjXivBM4y0yQePAyQ9t/s1600/DSCN1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMOJRk0K54nhsG3rglRpd9HXDAS_tk9kK7vQRbFWVib_WeIUeurbM9bXZxVMhARUfvXbGo6aXk3I6V3WeOfDLA_GDjiZs8N45bPhk5BNzovm2c-gDsoMHVAEZZfjXivBM4y0yQePAyQ9t/s320/DSCN1005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sign on main road</td></tr>
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The cemetery is very well-kept and clean.  I think it really says something when a foreign country has an entire cemetery and memorial in honor of American troops killed during the war.  I had mixed emotions there including pride in my country, gratefulness, respect, etc.  But it was also a very comfortable and peaceful location.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK3jimateEqKf1-fDv5s2X6CpIhD6ozNuwXskLlint1alJk-i7mZn2UXMM4Q44d_Xgh0xkSm1uXvsoGjcButGzwGamo4sgNY4STCWoNcjaIJHtzMDBd7uBun-oBxZU-DPLvdn6ehwcbd3/s1600/DSCN0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK3jimateEqKf1-fDv5s2X6CpIhD6ozNuwXskLlint1alJk-i7mZn2UXMM4Q44d_Xgh0xkSm1uXvsoGjcButGzwGamo4sgNY4STCWoNcjaIJHtzMDBd7uBun-oBxZU-DPLvdn6ehwcbd3/s320/DSCN0966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entrance gate to cemetery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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There are about 5,000 graves including two medal of honor recipients, General Patton, and one female.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUm2TouktCTBcKRCBdzrQ2_8ticI_hsjKbqdRhTxyCGDFMg7McHJUOSkRK2ay_0kVvUN1ZK0hFccuyRC_sLqscPPjXFco5M-RxbWyfh0V7gEXfpiw5OlcE7C8nM3NbjgWma50QIie5Zmp/s1600/DSCN0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUm2TouktCTBcKRCBdzrQ2_8ticI_hsjKbqdRhTxyCGDFMg7McHJUOSkRK2ay_0kVvUN1ZK0hFccuyRC_sLqscPPjXFco5M-RxbWyfh0V7gEXfpiw5OlcE7C8nM3NbjgWma50QIie5Zmp/s320/DSCN0974.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Patton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLPgsPckPLlEmFx26CG1jTUSDls-VSdE8YrEjK1Ib_LSU9duvFXviFjnKtVjLnorcSXhEPMJnFcORkDvTGzVpGDCVYiru8ll47U1VQJ0AMKWPOyiLWxxwKdpeAHRkyTxJykzuw0FJFNfY/s1600/DSCN0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLPgsPckPLlEmFx26CG1jTUSDls-VSdE8YrEjK1Ib_LSU9duvFXviFjnKtVjLnorcSXhEPMJnFcORkDvTGzVpGDCVYiru8ll47U1VQJ0AMKWPOyiLWxxwKdpeAHRkyTxJykzuw0FJFNfY/s320/DSCN0984.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy Leo, a nurse in the US Army</td></tr>
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Many of the headstones have the Star of David for Jewish soldiers who gave their lives.<br />
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There are also several unknown graves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUq-GGbff5v-RdYFAkcRlHEdMMelPlf47Z2YCsep3m7biGCk1yQfLBZKiaJuzUPHZvl7fii8KZr0DQwhHU9DJhdhKhOcVlv978hy3bIEopqpmWwx_248dscZguP7fTnlZe600JZUkhaLS/s1600/DSCN0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUq-GGbff5v-RdYFAkcRlHEdMMelPlf47Z2YCsep3m7biGCk1yQfLBZKiaJuzUPHZvl7fii8KZr0DQwhHU9DJhdhKhOcVlv978hy3bIEopqpmWwx_248dscZguP7fTnlZe600JZUkhaLS/s320/DSCN0988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God"</td></tr>
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I did not have time before the cemetery closed to go see the "Band of Brothers" from Easy Company who are buried there, so I will have to save that for another time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXcQOI3tcj3rg9dGLo54uBaerlOBAEFjIhQ9qaxVwmzevNZJhhrCw48_uWG3T0-dCLC7VWPLzbV3KPt6Gv-E9kCAiaMzLyMqL0F0_-NS29lehfZ2sRbHwcnAhCShdFgDvxy_x2VdctP8Y/s1600/DSCN1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXcQOI3tcj3rg9dGLo54uBaerlOBAEFjIhQ9qaxVwmzevNZJhhrCw48_uWG3T0-dCLC7VWPLzbV3KPt6Gv-E9kCAiaMzLyMqL0F0_-NS29lehfZ2sRbHwcnAhCShdFgDvxy_x2VdctP8Y/s320/DSCN1001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">location of Easy Company members buried in the cemetery</td></tr>
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The American Military Cemetery is located just outside the Luxembourg City, so after it closed I headed into the city.  And what an adventure!  I was given a map and exact directions to the best parking garage in the city, and I still ended up driving around in circles with no idea where I was for about half an hour!  At one point I got stuck in the middle of an intersection on a red light with cars coming at me and honking.  Thankfully the people behind me left enough space for me to back up.  They must have seen the German license plate on my car...!<br />
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I finally found a place to park and walked downtown.  There was some sort of party going on, which I found out was a pre-game party for the Luxembourg/Ireland soccer game.  Apparently all the Irish and British people in Luxembourg came out for it, because I heard English everywhere.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish party in the city square</td></tr>
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I enjoyed a cappuccino and pastry before walking back to the car and heading to my hotel for the night.  It was a short, but nice little adventure.<br />
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Afternoon in Luxembourg

I know I am several weeks behind on my blog entries...I will catch up in the next few days! About a month ago, I went down to work at the ...