We went, we froze, we came home. My night and day in Luxembourg City were very cold, and quite lovely.
Here, let me show you.
OH sorry, that's me looking at some beautiful, incredible things. Too bad you cannot see them. I think my facial expressions should suffice.
My day began with breakfast at the hotel. We realized the night before that the hotel was the EXACT HOTEL WE HAD STAYED IN YEARS AGO. This might have been more incredible had we not then realized that Luxembourg only has about 3 hotels. This fact bumped the story down from a category Its-a-sign to Coinkidink.
One of the options for breakfast was hardboiled eggs painted in FANTASTIC, brilliant colors. I was instantly inspired and in need of sunglasses. Which to choose?? Yellow and neon pink? Royal blue and lime green?? If I did not eat anything else, could I potentially eat all 7 colors?? My daily life is filled with difficult decisions, this day was no different. I would tell you what colors I chose, but that would give you an excuse not to make up your own mind about what color hardboiled egg you will choose. Also, there is a picture on my Instagram.
As I was eating breakfast I was reminded that left to my own devices (and also when not left to them) I am a very angry, immature person. I have this revelation a few times a day, usually beginning at breakfast.
Here's what happened.
While I was eating there was also a very talkative toddler eating breakfast with his mother. The toddler had a lot to say, and he said it all in Dutch. As I listened to him speak (and I am sure asking questions like, "Why is sunshine so silly" and "Why can't we fly to heaven and visit grandpa") I wanted to slap him. I really, really do not like the way Dutch sounds. Then, as I turned towards the light of the morning to try to get my Dutch Anger eye-twitch under control, I saw that the street just outside was called "Rue Dicks." (Rue is the French word for avenue). This made me laugh.
And so with my intolerance and immaturity established, I set off into the frigid Luxembourgian day. I walked for about 6 hours, mostly in an attempt to keep death-by-hypothermia at bay, (WINTER IS COMING) but also because the city is very walkable and quite lovely.
Oh, what's this?
It appears to be to be a quiet little secluded area with benches and shade from trees, where you can rest in the frigid wind whipping in from the valley and slowly freeze to death. Nothing to see here... nothing on the horizon. What, what is that?? GO on, ZOOM.
Yeah nevermind. It's nothing.
I require hot chocolate every few hours in order to stay alive, and chose this little café called the Art Café to supply me with my lifesource.
Super cute place, right? Everything was decorated in a "theater" theme, and the menu was the first in Europe I have seen in which everything was fair-trade and organic. It made me think about Seattle and the joys of being an organic, fair-trade snob, which made me happy.
I realized about halfway through my fair-trade, organic chocolat chaud that I was the only person in the whole place (it's about twice as big as this picture shows, with another room in the back). Luxembourg City was a bit like a ghost town throughout my entire day -- I guess Tuesday mid-day during 23 degree fierce winds with a high of 31 is the perfect time to see a new city. Filled with fair-trade, free-range, organic, first edition chocolat chaud I kept walking.
Here are a few of the things I saw.
Also of note: my new boyfriend
... we did not have a lot of time together, mostly between when he clicked his heels together, turned around and started walking the other way, but it was enough. "GOD I love you so much!" I would say, and then he would click, turn and walk. "You were made for me - I WILL NEVER BETRAY YOU!" It was a whirlwind of a relationship. I have no regrets.
This is me, totally forgetting how to take a selfie (WHY am I leaning back so far?? WHAT am I doing??)
A cold woman walking:
I don't have anything else to say about her.
I ate lunch at a tiny, perfect little French restaurant called l'Adresse on 32 Rue Notre Dam. The owners and staff were all French, and they were the sweetest and most wine-generous folk I have met in a long time. Unfortunately I could pronounce and understand (YAY) everything on the menu, so I ordered the tartare. I also almost died because of how delicious it was, and combined with their suggested wine (something Côtes du Rhône) I was one happy little American.A few hours after I sat down for "lunch" I realized that I was the only person left in the little restaurant (this joint had actually been packed for lunch). "Oh, are you closing? Should I leave??" The owner responded, "Oh no NO no NO! You sit and you drink, here, have another glass, stay warm, we have not eaten yet!" As if I would be rude to leave a restaurant before the staff have also eaten after their shifts. So I stayed, and I kept drinking, and had a really fun conversation with the staff.
I learned that one owner had moved to Luxembourg from France in order to have better school options for her children. While it is required in France to teach a foreign language (usually English), in Luxembourg it is typical to hear and learn 3 or 4 while in school. My brain exploded.
She told me that it is a wonderful place to live, although small and cold. "Walk to the Tourism Office -- on the way there you will see all of Luxembourg!" she joked.
I eventually said good-bye to my new friends in order to meet Arnaud, who had finished with his work for the day.
And now what you've all been waiting for. These were taken at a bar/lounge/restaurant/strip club (just joking, but geeze it looks like one) calld ZanZen.
He really is one of those people that is always begging to be kissed.
So I did. I KISSED HIM, OKAY??
Luxembourg City. Over and out. So glad to be back in Brussels. Also, my throat hurts today. That's what I get for sleeping with a guy I met in a strip club.
To view the photos in a more concise way click here
Comments