1980 Luxembourg (8/24/1980)

Sunday, August 24, 1980

Awoke by 08:00 and had breakfast of the pastries and Coke supplied by Pina. Arrived in Paris-Lyon at about 09:00, then Metro'ed to Gare de l’Est. The Luxembourg train didn't leave until 11:03, so we searched for a change place. The one at l’Est was closed, so we took the short walk to Gare de Nord which had an extremely long line at the money-exchange booth. There was no indication of a Luxembourg currency, so we assumed they would take French money. Bought a bottle of water, and boarded our train. Slept pretty deeply most of the way. Arrived in Luxembourg about 15:00 and first changed money to find they use Belgian currency! So we changed all our money except the French currency which they wouldn't accept (?). Ate the rest of Pina’s pastries and bought a map. We started our walking tour of the city of Luxembourg, first walking down to and over the Petrusse River.

Petrusse River Valley

Some river! Just a gutter! Viewed the “casemates” across the way, and saw an eternal flame memorial. Then went to Place de Constitution over the casemates to look down into the deep valley. We walked up a side street to pass the National Library and the cathedral. We were to note the doors of the cathedral, which were carved wood. We stepped into the church for a minute, then continued on to another square to see a statue of William the 2nd (who?).  Then on to the Royal Palace to note only a single guard standing outside.

Royal residence

That supposedly means the Royal family is not at home, otherwise there would be a lot of guards. We saw three guards walking down a sidestreet, and then a truck load of them behind the palace who yelled, “Hey, you!" We walked down a cobblestoned street with buildings arching overhead to view the Alzette valley.

Alzette River Valley

Railroad bridge (TAT)

This river in comparison was a roaring stream. Saw the famous Red Bridge (ugly steel painted that color) and supposedly castle ruins. Usually we are careful not to walk in front of photographers, but realized our mistake when carefully walking behind one here; since he was aiming at the mirror they place at curves in the road. Went up to the National Museum and went inside since it was free. Saw a variety of exhibits -- zoological, archaeological, art, armory, geological, etc. 

Luxembourg Map

Map of Luxembourg

We returned to the train station via the city hall square. Retrieved our bags from the lockers, and bought sandwiches and drinks for the rest of our lunch. Also had barbecued potato chips. Our train to Brussels left 15 minutes late at 17:45, but arrived in Brussels on time at 20:00. One fellow passenger was concerned about when we would arrive. We got off at the Brussels Nord station and finally figured out how to get to the Central Station. Got there in minutes, and went to collect my big suitcase. The baggage man shook his head in wonder, and figured out the cost, a "mere" $30! We then went down to catch the train to the plane, but it had stopped running for the day. A man standing at the gate came over to tell us we could catch a bus and showed us a timetable. One was leaving in five minutes at 20:30, so we ran up to catch it.

Brussels Airport bus ticket

Saw a little bit of Brussels as we rode out to the airport. At the airport we found the empty Capital Airlines desk which indicated flights at 13:15 and 15:00 every day. So we planned to spend the night at the airport. Kathy and I went to check the eating possibilities and found the restaurant and self-service cafeteria were already closed. Only the bar and the tavern were open, so we decided on the “tavern.” Terry ordered the Croque Monsieur Maxi which she got right away, which turned out to be a French pizza with cheese, tomato slices, and ham. And she got a salad of turnip shreds, carrot shreds, and "alfalfa." Kathy’s and my dishes came later, because of the lateness of the day they had to go out and dig up and peel new French fries, but we got Kathy’s "minute" steak (tough as usual for her) and I got my tomatoes stuffed with shrimp salad. We even got an extra bowl of French fries for our trouble. Had extra Cokes to quench our thirst and pass the time. Terry got a placemat for her art collection. Found a place to sit for the night. Weighed ourselves on the digital luggage scales, and ran to see what a commotion was about -- it didn't look like a victorious soccer team! Watched grown adults climb on the luggage scales! Went to sleep.
Next: Going home.