---

(August 16th through the 18th 2005) I left a sunny Paris behind in the early afternoon. I was a bit excited, since this was my first time travelling by myself in a foreign land. The train ride was quiet, and went smoothly into Luxembourg. Arriving--I don't know if it was due to the dark weather outside that had change during my ride, or the environs of the train station and the buildings in front of it--I thought to myself, 'I thought I was going to Luxembourg, not Eastern Europe." Well, that soon went away as I made my way to the international youth hostel 'Auberge de Jeunesse'. The lady at the front was extremely nice. Have a conversation with her, and check into my room, all in French. The guy at the desk was not nice, however. I speak to him in French, since he and the lady at the desk were speaking in French when I came in. And only speaks to me in English for the rest of the time I am there because he saw my American Passport. She tells me where my room is, and decide to direct questions to her during my stay.
I settled in, and made my bed, on the top bunk that was left, and met one of the mates in the room. Very nice, lived in Australia, but was originally from China, and was on a 12-month trip around the world. Talked to him a bit, and went to see the city in the evening and at night. Though everything was beautiful--the buildings, the trees, the scenery--almost no people were out on the streets. It was dead. Made my way up to the center of town from the hostel, and saw a bit of the old fortifications. Saw the two plazas, and wondered north of the plazas. Had a quiet dinner, though expensive, and headed to a local watering hole--though it really wasn't, more like a restaurant, but I made it into my watering hole (El Companero). Cuba motif, with Castro photographs everywhere, and Che's portrait out front. The bartender was extremely nice, and had minimum conversation with him, as he was busy two tables that were having dinner.
I headed back to the hostel for a good night sleep. Less than thirty minutes after falling asleep, and a guy walks in, turns on all the light and sets his bed, while making as much noise as he can. He knows the guy under me, the guy that I had met before, and they have a conversation. While a very tall German, I meet him the next night, is trying to sleep uncomfortably in the other bottom bunk where the new guy is trying to set his bed. The new guy is from Romania, and seems like a nice guy, introduces himself, and soon goes to sleep.
The next morning, the guy who is travelling the world wakes me up, and says don't miss breakfast. I get up slowly and head down. I see the Romanian and the guy who woke me up, and sit with them. The Romanian hates Americans, and has some uneasiness because I live there, but doesn't show any agression because I was born in Colombia. The other guy is nicer, and only knows the other guy because he had seen him in another hostel. The Romanian is on some "business" going back to Paris, and soon leaves the table. The other guy and I have a pleasent talk, and tells me about his travels. Had started in Australia, and went to Southeast Asia. From there he went to India, which thus far on his trip, had been his favorite country. Went to many countries in the Middle East, and had had no troubles. Made his way to Europe, and was in Luxembourg before he went to Paris. I told him about my experiences there. He was leaving after breakfast so I said goodbye.
I got ready, and headed to see the city. I started with the Casemates, very nice and great views. After wondering around, more great views from the Chemin de la Corniche, and then headed back to walk the city. I went north to a very nice park where I strolled in the nice shade, keeping out of the warm weather. Came out to Roosevelt Blvd, and made my way to Pont Adolphe, crossed it and went to Rue Sainte Zithe, and went underground, to see the Am Tunnel. Impressive gallery of students, and at the end of the walk, Steichen gallery of his famous protraits of famous Hollywood people. Walked all the ways to Place de Paris, and then headed back to the forge, and walked around down there. Made my way to the part of town that could be seen from the nice views that I had seen earlier. Went up again, and then decided to go see the Three Towers. It was late afternoon, and I decided to head back to the bar at the hostel. Quite nice, but empty. Had several drinks, the two bartenders were very cute, and getting dark outside, I went out again. The Tube, a bar heading east on Montee de Clausen, tickled my fancy, and sat to have some more drinks, while a qualifier of England was on. Watched the match, met two Americans from Boston, and headed to another bar. Talked to the two guys, who had just come from Germany, and were surprised by the amount of drinking there. I headed back to El Companero for some food, now the place was full, but the kitchen was closed. I had not eaten all day, and the bartender, nice guy, sent me to La Bodegita, as it was the only kitchen open. I sit, and across the bar, the most interesting and unique of characters--me included because like everyone else had nothing in common with anyone else--all eating an sharing stories. I sit next to couple about to have sex right there and then, and a middle aged man, whom I exchange words with. Dinner was good, and I head to bed, as I have an early train to catch to Brussels in the morning.
When I get back to the room, the funniest scene awaits me. A bearded, hairy, 4 foot--that is right 4 foot--man is in his whity-tighties, no joke, trying to put his sheets on the top bunk that was taken by the Romanian the night before. The German's bed is empty, and the guy that was travelling the world is no longer there, but rather another guy, trying to sleep, though one could tell he was awake due to the 4 foot man trying to get his sheets on his bed. I--I'm sorry but--not trying to laugh--not because he is short, but because he is nearly naked, trying to fix his sheets, and not giving a damn on how he looks--help him with his sheets. We have a nice conversation, me whispering because I don't want to wake up the other guy, and him talking loudly because he doesn't care. I find out he is from Holland, and has travelled all over the world. Has gone to Colombia, and tells me how much he loves aguardiente, one of my favorite liquors. He complains about how badly it is in Luxembourg for bicycle riders, and all sorts of things. The tall man comes in, meet him, and have a short conversation. The other guy can't fall asleep obvioulsy, and joins in, he is from Iran, and is just travelling. Finally we go to bed. On to Brussels early in the morning.

---