Can't take my eyes off of you.......
Forgot to mention the outside musical entertainment that we heard while leaving Echternach last evening. At a cafe on the edge of town, there was a man playing his guitar, with a synthesizer in the background, singing this familiar tune.
You might not find that to be unusual, except that this is Luxembourg. They speak Luxembourgish, German and French. A few speak English, but they are not the norm.
What became very obvious was that this man actually did not understand what he was singing. When it came time for the chorus, "I love you Baby".....it came out "Eye luvuebeebee" at which point Amy and I cracked up laughing. The guy reminded me of Peter of "Peter, Paul & Mary" in his looks, but definitely NOT in his vocal ability. But the crowd didn't seem to care, which made it all the better. What a great memory for us to have on our last evening in Echternach.
Today we began our day at the Patton museum. Don't let the name of the museum sway your opinion. Although much credit is given to the military accomplishments of Gen. Patton during World War II, the museum is far more about the history of the people of Luxembourg during the German occupation.
Luxembourg was invaded in 1939, just after celebrating its 100th anniversary of independence, by German forces under the direction of Hitler. The people in the country were forced to speak only German.
The young men were forced to join the German army. Anyone who did not agree to conditions set out by German authorities were removed to concentration camps. More than 4000 citizens were deported to Eastern Germany. The Jewish population was nearly completely annihilated with only a dozen families surviving.
Ernest had told me the story that his father fled the country and joined the Luxembourg forces in France. As a result, Ernest's grandmother was sent to a concentration camp for four years. Can we even imagine this?
791 Luxembourg Citizens were killed in these German concentration camps. 1250 Luxembourg soldiers who had been forced to join the German army and were sent to Russia to fight on the front are Missing in Action.
I read one sad story after another and began to realize just why the people of this country are so eager to meet Americans. Believe it or not, they continue to hold our country in high esteem for risking lives of American soldiers to liberate Luxembourg. And that is what this Patton museum reflects.
About 360 meters from the museum stands a memorial to Patton, overlooking the Our river. His face is pointed to Germany.
We left Ettelbruck and headed to Clervaux where a Benedictine Abbey stands on a high hill.
But there is much more to this lovely town than the abbey on the hill.
The castle was built in the 12th century and serves as a museum now.
The church is relatively modern, having been built in the early 1900's.
We stopped for lunch in the town before heading to the abbey. I just have to share a photo of Ernest's lunch with you.
Can you guess what that is?
Octopus. When he was finished, his plate was clean.
After lunch, we headed to the abbey. It stands on a high hill, and still has an active Benedictine community. The area is calm and serene, and we enjoyed our visit there.
Before heading back to our hotel, we stopped for some refreshment in Larochette.
Marty and Ernest enjoyed a beer.
Amy and I preferred some ice cream and strawberries:
Everyone was happy.....as it should be.
Forgot to mention the outside musical entertainment that we heard while leaving Echternach last evening. At a cafe on the edge of town, there was a man playing his guitar, with a synthesizer in the background, singing this familiar tune.
You might not find that to be unusual, except that this is Luxembourg. They speak Luxembourgish, German and French. A few speak English, but they are not the norm.
What became very obvious was that this man actually did not understand what he was singing. When it came time for the chorus, "I love you Baby".....it came out "Eye luvuebeebee" at which point Amy and I cracked up laughing. The guy reminded me of Peter of "Peter, Paul & Mary" in his looks, but definitely NOT in his vocal ability. But the crowd didn't seem to care, which made it all the better. What a great memory for us to have on our last evening in Echternach.
Today we began our day at the Patton museum. Don't let the name of the museum sway your opinion. Although much credit is given to the military accomplishments of Gen. Patton during World War II, the museum is far more about the history of the people of Luxembourg during the German occupation.
Luxembourg was invaded in 1939, just after celebrating its 100th anniversary of independence, by German forces under the direction of Hitler. The people in the country were forced to speak only German.
The young men were forced to join the German army. Anyone who did not agree to conditions set out by German authorities were removed to concentration camps. More than 4000 citizens were deported to Eastern Germany. The Jewish population was nearly completely annihilated with only a dozen families surviving.
Ernest had told me the story that his father fled the country and joined the Luxembourg forces in France. As a result, Ernest's grandmother was sent to a concentration camp for four years. Can we even imagine this?
791 Luxembourg Citizens were killed in these German concentration camps. 1250 Luxembourg soldiers who had been forced to join the German army and were sent to Russia to fight on the front are Missing in Action.
I read one sad story after another and began to realize just why the people of this country are so eager to meet Americans. Believe it or not, they continue to hold our country in high esteem for risking lives of American soldiers to liberate Luxembourg. And that is what this Patton museum reflects.
About 360 meters from the museum stands a memorial to Patton, overlooking the Our river. His face is pointed to Germany.
We left Ettelbruck and headed to Clervaux where a Benedictine Abbey stands on a high hill.
But there is much more to this lovely town than the abbey on the hill.
The castle was built in the 12th century and serves as a museum now.
And, not unlike many towns in Luxembourg, it has a tribute to American soldiers during World War II. Note the American flag flying next to the Luxembourg flag.
We stopped for lunch in the town before heading to the abbey. I just have to share a photo of Ernest's lunch with you.
Can you guess what that is?
Octopus. When he was finished, his plate was clean.
After lunch, we headed to the abbey. It stands on a high hill, and still has an active Benedictine community. The area is calm and serene, and we enjoyed our visit there.
Before heading back to our hotel, we stopped for some refreshment in Larochette.
Marty and Ernest enjoyed a beer.
Amy and I preferred some ice cream and strawberries:
Everyone was happy.....as it should be.
Know that I have learned more history reading your blogs (ALL of them) than I ever learned while in school! xoxo
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