Novotel Centre Metz

This is an incredible place...but I don't have any pictures... when I got there my camera stopped working :( But I really think it was a blessing because I just saw everything and didn't worry about getting pictures of everything for later, I just saw and took it all in. It was a much needed get-away and it really blew me away, especially the Cathedral! Mass there was unbelievable...and I have a new-found love of French...and their pastries :)

We left Germany this morning with fuzzy heads after 4 pints of strong German Lager the evening before. We let Pete and Tim know our proposed route and set off in search of some sun!

It was not long before we heard from the lads who said they were still in the mountains probably having fun so we plodded along the motorway heading towards Metz.

Nothing much to report apart from the consumption of BK number two, two in two days. No we are not doing a ...

We got up fairly late and I went with Ben on my parent's grave ... hard to stand there and not feeling emotional. Anyway had to get some flowers as we were invited for lunch "again" at an old friend place have known Phil since as far as I can remember we used to live on the same floor of the housing commission building so we go way back . It was ...

Got up this morning and after our ablutions we took the road for "Domremy-la-pucelle" birth place of Johann of arc. Great trip and pics taken. We then decided to go to the local cathedral to check it out ... this is when we saw he sign for: " ruine gallo-romaines de Grand". Of we pop following ...

... br>


Day 6There is absolutely no point in me telling you about day 4 and day 5 because I had to suffer the long and boring family lunches and dinners and I do not want you to suffer the same misfortune of having a family of boose-hounds and and nut jobs. I will give you a small insight into my crazy french family. My second uncle (Patrice) lit a bunga the size of a dynamite stick in the middle of a street and run about 2 meters away and yelled ...

... have a shower when my wife of 16 years remembered that today was my 45th birthday. We went to place Stanislas had a great time and we opted for a light lunch at "l'arrosoir" nice little place close to place carrier. I drove back Marg and the kids back to the Hotel for a rest and I went shopping for the goodies needed for my birthday dinner. Andouillettes, horse Berliner, rabbit pate, and 6 different kinds of cheeses.... not a veggie in sight, this should be a great dinner.

... above and beyond these minimums. Every morning, we have a full spread of bread, jams, and cheeses. She also serves us other foods such as cereal, yogurt, or even occassionally waffles. Maga has also cooked for us on several occassions, and this first-hand experience with Luxembourg cuisine has not been disappointing. Before coming to Europe, I could not understand former students' warnings about gaining weight while abroad. Thanks to Maga, I ...

... two towns. There was originally a statue of King Henry the 14th in the plaza, but during the French Revolution they tore this down, used the statue for cannon balls, and then erected a statue of their beloved duke in its place. Anyway, I really liked that bit of history and thought it was kind of funny. Hopefully you did too. After seeing the town some (my camera battery died, so sorry, but my pictures are limited!), Liz and I did ...

... and that if today is any indication, the rest of this semester should be a phenomenal experience. I am slightly in awe of the fact that I am about ready to crawl into bed (it's 10:00 here) and people at home are barely into their afternoon (it's 3:00 in Iowa). Crazy. That's all I can think of to write about tonight. I will hopefully be able to post this when I'm at the Chateau Monday, so then you can read about my safe arrival and the beginnings of my adventure here in Europe!

... than the cooler and wet conditions of the north. For dinner we had internet reservations at Du pont St. Marcel- just adjacent to a very picturesque bridge and church. The starter ...