Blogs from Lorraine, France, Europe - page 8

Day 2 I was scheduled to meet Vero at 10 am to meet more of the administrative staff. I went to the teachers staff room and it flooded with teachers of all sorts. The english teachers found me and I introduced myself, actually more like they knew exactly who I was. They asked me questions in English and French. They were so gracious in speaking to me in English since they knew I just got here yesterday. After meeting everyone in the administrative building, Vero showed me where I could eat lunch at the school, where I could make copies and where I could find various people and places if I need anything. I’m sure I will have to ask around again since somethings are a blur. I went home and tried to find something to ... read more

The festival of Schueberfouer is held once a year in the city of Luxembourg in the country of Luxembourg. This huge celebration is basically a giant carnival. I went on the last day with my host parents. There were lots of rides and games and food! I had some pretty initresting eats while I walked with my host parents. We didnt go on any rides, but we did walk around the area for quite a while. I learned that the Schueberfouer is a festival so that everyone who lives in Luxembourg can get together for one day of the year in the same city. I dont really understand it because it is such a small country, but that's the general idea! For future reference, it is pronounced: Shoo-ber-fwhere. The same day as the Shuberfouer, but a ... read more

Ii'll give a quick recap of the past few days: On Tuesday night me and my friends went to Lux city. I got a feel for the train system and how to get around. Other people ride the train/bus to class everyday, but since I walk I haven't gotten a hang of things yet. The city was fun, and I definitely want to go back during the day to walk around a little more. Yesterday after classes we had a host family reception at the Chateau. My host mom and brother went. It was a little awkward at first, but one more people came (and once my Nadine, my host mom, had people to talk to that she knew, it was MUCH less awkward). I introduced her to a lot of my friends, and they all ... read more

Friday 3rd October 2008 continued After settling into the Hotel, we decided to go for a wander to find something to eat. The Campanille was handy but very busy, and on the way back there was an emergency going on with Fire & Police attending some gas being released at high pressure and we were only allowed to go back to the Hotel, so as we had had a good lunch anyway, we just ate some biscuits stashed for just this purpose. The night was pretty disturbed with lots of comings and goings and shouting outside the rooms in the early hours, but we slept fairly well. Saturday 4th October, 2008. The plan for today was to get from Chalons to Longwy, via Verdun. We set off about our usual time, and I used the next ... read more

VERDUN “They had conquered a notorious hill. They had lived in trenches that had been alternately French and German. These trenches sometimes lay filled with bodies in different stages of decomposition. They were once men in the prime of their lives, but had fallen for the possession of this hill. This hill, that was partly built on dead bodies already. A battle after which they lay rotting, fraternally united in death….” (Georges Blond - Verdun) It was a cold, wet, and foggy day when I drove into Verdun. It is hard to imagine that in the 10 sq Km. (a little over 6 sq. miles) area surrounding the small and now peaceful town of Verdun, the longest and one of the bloodiest engagements of World War I (WWI) took place. It is here among these ... read more