August 1, 2013

This morning Mom and I woke at a reasonable hour and took our time getting settled and organized.  We had a nice little continental breakfast at the hotel and then went for a light walk along the Sure (Sauer in German).  The Sure is across the street from our Hotel de la Sure and is just down the road from where Mom lived...about 1 block.

Above, Mom and I are standing in Luxembourg looking across the Sure at Germany.  The little building to the upper left of Mom is a chapel.  Mom and friends would hike up there and it was a refuge from the "peering eyes of parents".  This is also a wedding destination spot and in the past 60 years, it has been restored.

 
Above:  Meet Emelye!  This lovely old friend of Mom's arranged our stay here at Hotel de la Sure.  Her brother's family owns and manages the hotel.  Emelye can be seen in one of Mom's earlier blog posts (see the photo of Mom and three friends - the one where Mom is wearing her Paris dress and white gloves).  Emelye is the one on the far right. 

Emelye's life story in a nutshell; she grew up to become a Steward (Flight Attendant) for Luxair and left there as their first and only (at that time) Chief Steward.  She then worked privately and retired after being the Steward for the inventor of the pantyhose.  Honest!  She now lives back in Echternach in a her mother's house with a wire-haired Dachshund, Funny.

What a delight!  She updated Mom on their old friends; where they are now and what they have done with their lives.  There were some great stories, some of which revealed the dramas of being a teen Anne.  I promised not to tell...online!  ;)  She hadn't spoken English in over 20 years yet she spoke with such clarity.  She was also wonderful about saying the French or Luxembourg-ish (Letzebueresch) word and then relating it to us in English. 

We're off for another stroll before meeting Jemp for dinner.  Later!

ANNE'S NOTES:

July 30 & 31– Halifax Airport – talked briefly to nervous guy from Liverpool, NS who had never flown before and was going to Frankfurt, Manchester then Corfu to meet an internet girlfriend for the first time! Tried a very little German on the plane – some words came but not great! Long wheelchair ride to Lufthansa lounge – nice guy hired by airport. Stayed in lounge until 12 – went through small security downstairs then on to big electric bus to plane on the tarmac – Luxair Dash 8. Short comfortable flight to Lux. Jemp a few minutes late – big hug, just great to chat. We went to his and Lony’s home – lots of levels and beautiful. Champagne for my birthday, lovely lunch – beef salad, frites, strawberries for dessert & red wine. Great conversation – old times. Had nap, Jemp and I went to pick up Holly at the train station – she’d caught an earlier train and had been there for about an hour and a half. Jemp drove us to Echternach. Saw lots. Hotel was ready and it was just great. Holly and I had a glass of wine with Jemp. Then she and I had a glass and chatted. Nice room. Holly had a Jacuzzi while Anne charged stuff up – Kobo, phone. Really tired.

August 1 – Breakfast at hotel, walked to where the train station used to be and then along to the Sauer. There is a plaque there now commemorating the US Army’s liberation of Echternach.

Water with Emelye at hotel then over to Oktav Amadeus, 56 rue de la Gare, Italian restaurant on the corner by the old Gare for lunch. Champers at both, Holly and I shared a pizza. Went back to hotel, then walked up to the square – it was very, very hot, we cooled our hands in the water fountains that were along the street – it helped but I was not hydrated enough either. We had dinner at the steak house next door to the hotel with Jemp. Went to our room and blabbed until 2:30 am. We learned about the blinds – outside which operated electronically. And we learned about the toilet flushing and the Jacuzzi tub and the shower plumbing. All required glasses and some were learned by accident. We had a blue cable connection to the Net in our room and WiFi on the terrace.