5 Countries in 4 hours

This past weekend we had a great road trip. We left Saturday morning and headed southwest. About an hour and half out is the town of Vaalserberg. Outside of the town is the Drielandenpunt ("Three-Country Point"), or Dreiländereck ("Three-Country Corner") , or Trois Frontières ("Three Borders"). It is what is sounds like, the point where Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium all meet. I'm not giong to say that there wern't some worng turns onto dirt roads (or walking paths), but we managed to get up there. It is great area for hiking, and there is a playground, restaurants and souvenir shops. This started our journey of 5 countries in 1 day. There were 2 separate observations towers, keeping with Ryan's loves of stairs we climbed the one in the Netherlands. Mike did make it to the top, but stayed in the center. Ryan on .the other hand walked right out to the wall of the glass floored observation deck, 353.5 meters (1160 feet). He has no fear. I did it too but with caution and over-riding fear.

After Dreiländereck we continuted on our way. The kids were starving so we stopped at Aldi in Belgium for some snacks. (Brief Aldi history, German grocery store owned my 2 brothers, they found like 40 years ago over selling cigarettes, and split the country. They also split all rights to other countries. The one who got my area of Germany also got th US, Aldi Süd. Recently, the descendnats of the other brother, realized the size of the American market and opened “Trader Joe's” A-ha, now you know why I just explained all that) Anyway, Mike bought pistachios and I got cashews, and they were both Trader Joe's brand. I though that was interesting. 

You may have noticed Mike is a bit of a beer snob and has set out to visit all 8 of the Trappist brewereries in the world, most of which are in Belgium. Trappist beers are made my monks in Monasteries. One just happened to be 20 minutes off our route, along a dirt farm road, so off we went to Orval. If a monastery can be adorable, this one was. The actual monastery was closed, but we could eat at the restaurant and drink the beer. There was also a field of horses, a pond full of ducks and swans and a gift shop. I thought the beer was fine, Mike can elaborate on that, but my meal was DELICIOUS! The monastery also makes their own cheese. The take diced potatoes, bacon and their own cheese and bake it all together. Amazing. Served with a small salad, toast, and some sweet pickles, I was in heaven.

While looking at the map, we noticed that we were a nine iron from France. How could we only go to 4 countries in one day when we could go to 5? We had to find a bridge to cross over a creek and we were in France. On one side of the bridge the license plates in the driveways were Belgium and on the other France. We snapped a few quick pictures and got back on our way. Not surprisingly, our way included a 7 km drive on a one-lane, dirt farm road. I notice a theme developing here. I think at one point, Mike and I were laughing hysterically at nothing because we had been on so many farm roads, we were delirious.

Margny, France

After that we had a short ride to Luxembourg to meet with Mike's Aunt Diane and her friend from Germany, Anette. Diane was passing through on her way to a conference in Malta, and inspired our trip to Luxembourg. All the kids wanted to do, even thought they saw 5 countries in like 4 hours,was go swimming in the indoor pool, so that made them happy. 

Saturday night we weren't overly impressed with Luxembourg City. It's small, and they mostly speak French. Maybe we were getting spoiled by seeing so many amazing places. The entire city is built on the edge of a ravine that curves around the city, making it very hard to navigate. We had a delicious dinner with Diane and Anette. 

Erin and Diane also had hot chocolate from The Chocolate House. They give you a cup of blazingly hot milk and you choose the flavor of chocolate by which spoon you choose. Cool idea. The chocolate melts of the spoon and you have hot chocolate, flavored about 30 different ways.

So, Sunday morning I woke up and attempted to find somewhere for breakfast, just croissants and coffee, not the full hotel breakfast. I ended up getting lost, but found “real” Luxembourg. It was beautiful. It was a different part of the ravine, with defenses on the hill sides and the quaintest little village down below. It easily took us an hour to navigate our way down and explore the town. The pictures speak for themselves. 

Several companies have locations in Luxembourg for tax reasons,
including PayPal, Amazon, and I'm guessing Coca-Cola.

After that we headed to the American Cemetary of Luxembourg. Here is where the soldiers from the Battle of the Bulge are buried. If a cemetary can be beautiful, this one was. There isnt a blade of grass out of place. Plus, I believe it is technically American soil, so did we actually visit 6 countries in 2 days? General George Patton is also buried here.

Next stop was Trier, Germany. Trier is the oldest city in Germany (although Cologne disputes this). Beautiful old churches and a humongous piece of Roman wall, the Porta Nigra. It was built between 186 and 200 A.D. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Nigra)

Also, in Trier are the church records of a town called Mühl,Germany which hold information about my Great-Great-Great Grandparents on the Phillips (Philipp) side who came from towns close to Trier. I have been in contact with the archives and was told I can come and view the documents. I will certainly be paying a visit back for that.

That completes our crazy weekend. Next up Erin's NECIS (Northwest European Council of International Schools) basketball tournament next weekend and looking forward to the tulips blooming in The Netherlands and Rick & Linda's arrival in 3 weeks.