Luxembourg Weekend!

Some weekends are hard, and some are wonderful. This weekend was full. Friday began with a busy workday. Even though my boss encouraged me to begin my weekend early, the volume of work didn’t permit me. I wanted to make cookies for an evening event but lacked the chocolate chips. I walked to a nearby grocery, but sadly they were closed for their summer break. I grabbed a few bags of chips instead, along with some baking chocolate bars on my way to the event. The evening was a girls night hosted by a new friend who lives close by. It was lovely to spend the evening with so many of the wonderful young women I’ve met through church and spend the evening with wonderful food and company. I walked a good portion of the way home quite late with A, who lives close by and is a gorgeous and brilliant woman and an inspiration to me.

Saturday morning started with a bit of an emergency- I finally did what I've been terrified off- locking myself out of the house. Luckily, I had met my wonderful new landlords Friday, and had taken my phone out of the door with me. I messaged them and walked to pick up the keys (in slippers) and get back in. Sunday morning, I finally shared my second set of keys with a friend, to not have all the keys locked in the house again. Finally, after the key adventure, I headed to Bettembourg, a good way from Luxembourg City. Typically, there are regular trains there, but they are doing some summer maintenance, so I connected at the train station onto a bus. The bus was comfortable, and I found myself catching up on sleep. I’m on the events team at my church and found it to be a truly lovely group of women I’m excited to join with. We have quarterly meetings to plan the logistics and food around smaller events like welcome coffees and lunches, and a big anniversary celebration as well. The hostess this time made delicious Indonesian food, there were lovely pancakes with fresh homemade mixed berry jam, and a jar of crunchy chocolate cookies. We had a productive morning together before I grabbed a few busses home.

The afternoon found me on the bus hauling my toolbox and drill to my coworker’s house. W moved to Luxembourg shortly before I did and was part of my first weekend welcome committee. Both of us moved into our permanent apartments around the same time and had some things that needed hung in the house. Sadly, I lost my drill bits in the move, but still had the drill. Her dad packed her a tool bag and included several drill bits from her grandfather. We enjoyed cappuccino and cookies on her porch, before we together attacked several items she needed hung, battling fruitlessly against the cinder block walls that we hit in a few spots. We managed to hang up all but one of her items! Then we went back to my house and managed to hang up the big items I needed! After our productive handy-woman adventures, we made a simple dinner together, and enjoyed it on the balcony with some Luxembourg wine. The night wound down, but the rain started, and so we remained on the porch, in the delightfully crisp night air, just chatting. Eventually the storm passed, and she headed to the bus stop.

Sunday began the final day of the weekend, with church. I finally remembered to take the electric kettle left by one American girl, to give to a different American girl, and after almost six weeks it no longer sits by my door! After church, the events team had been invited to a picnic hosted by one of the members. The hostess manages a campground in the north of Luxembourg, almost a one-hour drive from the city. One member graciously drove me north and practiced my French verbs with me in the car, which was insanely helpful. We drank in the gorgeous green vistas, the fluffy cows, and towering wind turbines before arriving at our destination.

The campground was spectacular, and we had a delightful picnic. There was a giant flat circle grill, with a fire burning in the center. Various sausages, chicken satay, and veggie skewers were laid on the flat part to cook. A nice assortment of salads accompanied the meal. I had made chocolate chip cookies, but sadly they did not turn out how I wanted. I think I used the wrong floor, and the baking chocolate I had bought did not taste as good as I wanted it too. Luckily our hostess loved them. After lunch, we took a walk around the gorgeous property, crossing the river, seeing the little caravans, and drinking in the beautiful forest views. Another member of the group kindly offered me a ride home (saving me 2.5 hrs. on a bus!) and we had a happy ice-cream pit stop along with the fuel on the way back.

Now I’m home, resting and preparing for the insanely busy few weeks ahead. A new friend from church kindly left me a voice message. We had only had a moment to greet each other at church, so it was thoughtful to receive a longer message and connect.

I’m grateful for the people in my life, and the wonderful weekend I had.