Day Twenty: A time to rest and stay still

What a beautiful Autumn day waited for us outside our hotel. After of course, a great hotel breakfast. And since Luxembourg shares boarders with France, Belgium, and Germany, there were croissants, fruit,and cold cuts and cheeses. I helped myself to some of each. And a yogurt.

Then outside into the crisp Autumn air. And since we are staying in a pedestrian only zone, it was quite and peaceful. It being Sunday also helped. Some photos of our walk.

 View from just on the edge of the pedestrian only zone.

 One of the more colorful buildings contrasted with the old church behind it. Mary Ann lite candles.

 Saw this sign. Not sure what it means.

 Part of the Pedestrian Only Zone on a Sunday

Luxembourg has many quaint fountains. All of the instruments here leaked water to make the fountain. At first I thought the fountain was called "Non Potable Water" but upon closer inspection I saw it was about a country band from a fable.

A short video of the fountain.

From here we walked to the edge of the downtown and saw these wonderful sights and monument.

 View across a large valley that contains a very nice park. Luxembourg is a small Grand Duchy that is very hilly and well cared for.

 Looking back towards downtown and the main church. Notice the unique spire on the right.

 Monument to the various war dead of Luxembourg. They have fought in many wars including WWI, WWII and Korea. The Germans took this monument down during WWII, but it was restored after WWII. Now Luxembourg is known as the Gibraltar of the North, or so we read. Probably because of its rough terrain. However it only held out for one day at the start of WWII. Not very Gibraltar like.  But many of its people of fighting age fled to France to fight in the resistance. Yet some who stayed were drafted into the German Army. War helped nobody then and still doesn't today.

Close up of the monument with some of the engraving speaking of the sacrifices Luxembourg's youth have made for it's freedom. Many wars.

Well it was time for drink,s so we walked back to the hotel that has a sidewalk cafe in front. How wonderful it is that in Europe you can order an espresso, me, and two Orangina's, Mary Ann and Linda, and then sit and talk and just do nothing for hours. In fact we sat there so long, that Mary Ann got hungry and ordered a beautiful salad. I was so relaxed, I forgot to take a picture. It contained Salmon, Foie Gras, tomatoes, lettuce and caper pods. Very nice salad.
And they had the most beautiful Hardy Fuchsia lining the square.

By this time I also ordered a beer and the bill was very confused. But it all got straightened out in the end. Mary Ann went up to rest while I finished my beer. Oh, I forgot to mention that we got to sit right next to Dame Judy Dench.

So after lunch, Linda and I walked to try and find a chocolate store. There just had to be one. Right. Well there were none where we walked.  But we did get to see the guards outside the Grand Dukes place of residence doing their thing. Neat.

So, Linda settled for an ice cream cone and then went back to her room. Me, I found a nice bench on the square and watched the people parade past for an hour and a half. What a relaxing restful Sunday. I watched little children try and catch pigeons. This must be a universal sport for young children everywhere for I have seen it in every country where there are birds that fly and children. I would guess children in Australia are taught very early on not to try and catch Ostriches, or Emus.

Now I don't usually think much of Mimes or those people that stand real still and then move a little. There was a fellow dressed as Gandhi back in Santiago. No big deal.
However here in Luxembourg there was one who struck such a strange pose and held it for as long as I watched that I just had to give him some Euro and take a picture.

He never moved an inch. Yes he stayed very still.

Back to pick up the girls and then to lunch. But first off to the monument to get some better pictures. You be the judge.

 We eat a nice meal in the square and walk to find dessert. But we can only find Gelatto. Don't feel too sorry for us. An early night tonight as we are off to Germany early tomorrow morning.

The square at night,

Good night to all.