This was one of my coolest experiences so far in Luxembourg. For those of you who haven't heard of Carnival, and I hadn't before I got here, it's kind of like Halloween meets Mardi Gras. If you aren't already excited, you might have something wrong with you.
So I was sitting in my room in my apartment, bored, surfing the web, everyone in my building is studying except me...no fun. Suddenly I heard really loud music on the street. I wasn't going to pass up that opportunity. I put on a coat and went out. As I was walking out the door, a small group of clowns walked passed me. Maybe I had missed a parade? Either way, it was kind of cool to see.
I headed down to the shopping street and found a few booths set up playing loud German music, even if you can't understand German this kind of music is so high energy and fun that you get into it just like the locals. A bunch of people were walking around in costumes and eating and drinking. While I was there I found out that I hadn't missed the parade and it would start around 2:30. So I wandered around and waited for the parade to start. Everyone began lining up along the sides of the streets at 2:30 and waited for the parade. But I have this feeling that time in Luxembourg is just a suggestion, because the parade didn't start until 3:45.
Parades back home are very different than here. Back home parades have a calmer energy. There are marching bands and Dairy Queens waving, fire trucks, and tons of candy being thrown. Here the floats are huge and blasting party music, there were many percussion only marching bands, and there were many groups of people dancing their way down the street. The sides of the road also weren't blocked off, so each big float had people walking along side it telling people to stay back. Also, there aren't really any big trucks around here to pull floats, so they were mostly pulled by tractors.
The only criticism I have for the Esch parade was that it didn't throw nearly as much candy as I had hoped, but it did have it's pluses. There is so much confetti thrown at people, its hilarious and so high energy! Everyone was laughing as they scooped up balls of confetti like snow balls and threw it at their neighbors. Floats would pass by and throw candy and confetti, they even had confetti blasters that would launch tons of confetti at the expecting watchers. Also, as floats passed they threw a few pieces of candy to the children and gave beer to the adults! I was handed a can of beer and it blew me away! It was so crazy because that would never happen back home! I drank it with a big smile on my face! As floats passed, children were running up to them begging for candy, adults wanting to grab a beer from them, or running up to people walking and dancing with them. Such an intimate experience! I didn't end up getting much candy because they focus on giving it to kids, but I got a few free beers and a couple bags of chips, you won't hear me complaining!
After the parade was over I headed to the main square where there was a party. While I was there I bought my first German brat, it was amazing! So good. Then I headed into the party where they were singing and dancing to crazy Carnival music. Everyone (besides me) knew the words and the little dances that went with them, and it was a really fun time. Jaeger was sponsoring the event so they were giving out pins and bottle openers that look like dog tags, needless to say I got some!
It was a great time! Any future students who are coming to Luxembourg, think about bringing a costume with you so you can dress up for Carnival. Even a simple mask will work! It's definitely something you must experience while you are here! I would also suggest trying to go to Germany to celebrate Carnival, I didn't make it, but the parties there are even bigger.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
#8: A City Asleep by 7
I definitely have a lot of bias on this topic. I come from a land where select businesses are open 24/7. It could be 3 am and I could decide to go out for a burger, or to make a trip to Walmart to buy something I needed. That isn't exactly possible here.
Here in Luxembourg, and other surrounding European countries, it's common for most businesses to start closing around 6 pm. This probably seems a bit crazy to all my American readers, and I can assure you that it is! By the time I'm getting off the train and coming home from class, most shops are starting to close their doors for the day. Not all companies though, there are a few grocery stores that hold out until 7 or 8 pm, and of course the bars are still open, but if you're looking to do a little shopping then you are out of luck, my friend.
Sundays are also a bit funny. Apparently a few years ago on Sundays everything was closed, and the city was like a ghost town. Through my experiences here, Sundays aren't totally dead, but they aren't exactly up and kicking. There are a few sections of the city (the excessively tourist-y spots) where you can find a nice selection of restaurants open and such, and there are a few stores with their doors open, but mostly the city is quiet on Sundays. I've always had that feeling where Sundays were such a drag because they were slow and just crept into Monday morning, and when everything around you is closed that feeling tends to escalate.
So my American readers, take solace in knowing that you have so many options. Most businesses back home don't start closing until 9, maybe 10. You can go out when you like and enjoy a Sunday that can be just as lively as your Saturdays!
I'm not complaining though, Sunday has turned into my homework day/relaxation day. So it's not all bad, maybe I just like putting a slant on things :)
Here in Luxembourg, and other surrounding European countries, it's common for most businesses to start closing around 6 pm. This probably seems a bit crazy to all my American readers, and I can assure you that it is! By the time I'm getting off the train and coming home from class, most shops are starting to close their doors for the day. Not all companies though, there are a few grocery stores that hold out until 7 or 8 pm, and of course the bars are still open, but if you're looking to do a little shopping then you are out of luck, my friend.
Sundays are also a bit funny. Apparently a few years ago on Sundays everything was closed, and the city was like a ghost town. Through my experiences here, Sundays aren't totally dead, but they aren't exactly up and kicking. There are a few sections of the city (the excessively tourist-y spots) where you can find a nice selection of restaurants open and such, and there are a few stores with their doors open, but mostly the city is quiet on Sundays. I've always had that feeling where Sundays were such a drag because they were slow and just crept into Monday morning, and when everything around you is closed that feeling tends to escalate.
So my American readers, take solace in knowing that you have so many options. Most businesses back home don't start closing until 9, maybe 10. You can go out when you like and enjoy a Sunday that can be just as lively as your Saturdays!
I'm not complaining though, Sunday has turned into my homework day/relaxation day. So it's not all bad, maybe I just like putting a slant on things :)
Saturday, March 15, 2014
#7: A Birthday in Lux
I recently turned 21 everyone! As all of my American readers will know, turning 21 means one thing, and one thing only, you are now legally able to buy and drink alcohol. In the U.S. when you turn 21 you get to go through a lovely right of passage where your friends and family buy you crazy amounts of alcohol, you drink like crazy, and then you spend the night praising the porcelain throne.
Well in my case, I was legal to buy and drink the minute I stepped off the plane here (and I will admit that I took advantage of that on more than one occasion!) So my 21st birthday here in Luxembourg didn't quite follow the same script as it would have back home. Plus I had to get up early for my internship the next morning, so that wasn't going to work out.
I had classes early in the morning, which is a bit of a drag but I do what I must. Then I spent the afternoon being a tourist. I walked around the city, taking pictures and enjoying the sites. Then I was taken out to lunch at the Chocolate House, if you're in the area definitely go there and have a hot chocolate. Afterwards I Skyped with my family back home, then had one last class for the day. I then spent the day eating tons of chocolate, which was absolutely amazing, and ended the night having cake with friends. It was a lot of fun and one of the best birthdays I've had in a while! I've met some great people who went out of their way to make it a great day!
Don't worry though, later on in the week alcohol was drank and parties were had. But with all the promises of celebration my friends back home have been making, I have reason to believe that I will be drunk the entire month of July if not the entire month of August as well. We'll have to see how my liver fairs.
Well in my case, I was legal to buy and drink the minute I stepped off the plane here (and I will admit that I took advantage of that on more than one occasion!) So my 21st birthday here in Luxembourg didn't quite follow the same script as it would have back home. Plus I had to get up early for my internship the next morning, so that wasn't going to work out.
I had classes early in the morning, which is a bit of a drag but I do what I must. Then I spent the afternoon being a tourist. I walked around the city, taking pictures and enjoying the sites. Then I was taken out to lunch at the Chocolate House, if you're in the area definitely go there and have a hot chocolate. Afterwards I Skyped with my family back home, then had one last class for the day. I then spent the day eating tons of chocolate, which was absolutely amazing, and ended the night having cake with friends. It was a lot of fun and one of the best birthdays I've had in a while! I've met some great people who went out of their way to make it a great day!
Don't worry though, later on in the week alcohol was drank and parties were had. But with all the promises of celebration my friends back home have been making, I have reason to believe that I will be drunk the entire month of July if not the entire month of August as well. We'll have to see how my liver fairs.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
#6: Luxembourgers? Hello?
First before I start this story (for all my American friends reading) we must establish that Luxembourg is small. Very small. In fact, go on Google and look up Luxembourg as compared to Germany or France. See how small it is? Okay, now you'll understand this story.
So when you travel to another country, you'd think that you'd meet a lot of people from that country, right? Shockingly for me, I've met a very select number of Luxembourg residents. I've met a great family through some connections back home and I've only met one naturally (aka a classmate). I've honestly met more Americans and Germans than I have people who actually call themselves Luxembourgish!
I've had it explained to me though in a way that everyone back home might understand. Remember when you lived in our small town and went to our tiny school system? We all went through that stage where we wanted to get out of this place and travel. And in essence, most of us did. We went out into bigger cities and big colleges. But in time, we all returned to our little town. Now just apply that story to Lux teenagers, and you'll understand why I've met so few of them.
Also, I've heard it said that there are more people here from other countries than there are of natives. So we're kind of taking over the place. I hope Luxembourg doesn't mind too much. For now, I'm enjoying my little American invasion and taking things one day at a time!
So when you travel to another country, you'd think that you'd meet a lot of people from that country, right? Shockingly for me, I've met a very select number of Luxembourg residents. I've met a great family through some connections back home and I've only met one naturally (aka a classmate). I've honestly met more Americans and Germans than I have people who actually call themselves Luxembourgish!
I've had it explained to me though in a way that everyone back home might understand. Remember when you lived in our small town and went to our tiny school system? We all went through that stage where we wanted to get out of this place and travel. And in essence, most of us did. We went out into bigger cities and big colleges. But in time, we all returned to our little town. Now just apply that story to Lux teenagers, and you'll understand why I've met so few of them.
Also, I've heard it said that there are more people here from other countries than there are of natives. So we're kind of taking over the place. I hope Luxembourg doesn't mind too much. For now, I'm enjoying my little American invasion and taking things one day at a time!
Monday, March 3, 2014
#5: Hello From The Friendly Outsider
Hello again!
So I've been here for just about 3 weeks now, and much to my personal satisfaction (and my mother's relief) I haven't gotten majorly lost again! I have mastered the train and bus system enough to know how to get to and from school, which isn't much, but hey I'll take it!
Just about every day friends and family have been asking me how I'm doing over here. Everyone is so curious and anxious to hear the top news! To be honest, I've been having the time of my life so far, but there is one detail that has had a bit of hindrance: the language barrier. Everyone here speaks either French or Luxembourgish
Now, in Europe it is very common for people to speak more than one language fluently. With countries being so close together and interacting with each other all the time, it is very important to be able to communicate. In the U.S., not so much. Back home we focus very heavily on English and it's not as common to find someone who speaks another language. I guess I attribute this to the fact that Americans like to cling to their language and still try to fight the "Speak English!" battle. To be honest, I suppose that isn't too bad in itself, but it isn't doing me any favors here!
Sure, there are many people who speak English here and I'm having no problems surviving, but it's just a tad off. The best analogy I can think of is if you lived in the United States but only spoke Spanish. You can get by because many things in the U.S. are captioned in Spanish, and a decent amount of people know basic Spanish, but it makes direct communication a little more difficult.
This hasn't stopped me from enjoying my time beyond belief though. It's just that when I go to the grocery store and check-out lady asks me a question, I tend to give a blank stare and a smile that says "Please help me!". Or when I let a little old lady cut ahead of me in line at a store and she began to talk to me, I just kind of smiled, nodded, and laughed in the appropriate places.
It's not all bad though, I've learned some basic, basic French and my English has been a bit of an ice breaker. As soon as I open my mouth in a public place, people can place my accent and seem more than interested to listen to me. In fact, I've even been having a bit of fun teaching some American slang to my fellow students because it makes them so excited!
My favorite quote thus far: "What are you, American?...What are you doing here?!?"
So I've been here for just about 3 weeks now, and much to my personal satisfaction (and my mother's relief) I haven't gotten majorly lost again! I have mastered the train and bus system enough to know how to get to and from school, which isn't much, but hey I'll take it!
Just about every day friends and family have been asking me how I'm doing over here. Everyone is so curious and anxious to hear the top news! To be honest, I've been having the time of my life so far, but there is one detail that has had a bit of hindrance: the language barrier. Everyone here speaks either French or Luxembourgish
Now, in Europe it is very common for people to speak more than one language fluently. With countries being so close together and interacting with each other all the time, it is very important to be able to communicate. In the U.S., not so much. Back home we focus very heavily on English and it's not as common to find someone who speaks another language. I guess I attribute this to the fact that Americans like to cling to their language and still try to fight the "Speak English!" battle. To be honest, I suppose that isn't too bad in itself, but it isn't doing me any favors here!
Sure, there are many people who speak English here and I'm having no problems surviving, but it's just a tad off. The best analogy I can think of is if you lived in the United States but only spoke Spanish. You can get by because many things in the U.S. are captioned in Spanish, and a decent amount of people know basic Spanish, but it makes direct communication a little more difficult.
This hasn't stopped me from enjoying my time beyond belief though. It's just that when I go to the grocery store and check-out lady asks me a question, I tend to give a blank stare and a smile that says "Please help me!". Or when I let a little old lady cut ahead of me in line at a store and she began to talk to me, I just kind of smiled, nodded, and laughed in the appropriate places.
It's not all bad though, I've learned some basic, basic French and my English has been a bit of an ice breaker. As soon as I open my mouth in a public place, people can place my accent and seem more than interested to listen to me. In fact, I've even been having a bit of fun teaching some American slang to my fellow students because it makes them so excited!
My favorite quote thus far: "What are you, American?...What are you doing here?!?"
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