This is Easter weekend and a four-day weekend for many people across Europe. There are not very many walks Sunday, but there are plenty Monday and even a few Friday and Saturday. You should be able to do a lot of walking this weekend.Speaking of Easter, we recently went to Trier to visit its Easter market. The weather was gorgeous, but we were disappointed in how small the market was. We estimate 20 vendors were set up in tents in the market square. We walked around for several blocks to make sure there weren’t more tents nearby. Although small, the market was still enjoyable. One tent showed you how to dye an egg. Another sold cute little nest decorations with tiny eggs inside. Of course, there were a few food vendors. At one we bought some mustard from the oldest mustard mill in Germany. Another had delicious crepes. After the Easter market we walked around Trier for a while doing the tourist routine. Then it was off to Luxembourg City. After spending the night at a nearby hotel, we were able to walk to the start hall for the Luxembourg Old City walk. We were blessed with a second gorgeous day. In a large city, one would not expect to find a lot of hills, but there are plenty in Luxembourg. There are also plenty of cobblestones, which can make the footing a bit challenging. We loved walking along the river with its beautiful views. Budding bushes and trees added color, which was reflected in the river. Early on a Sunday morning it was peaceful as we walked through the otherwise busy, noisy streets.City planners included several nice parks in the city, so it’s not all concrete and glass. We were so captivated by the beautiful scenery; we almost missed a couple of arrows painted on the sidewalk instructing us to turn.We made it back to the start hall without any problems and were soon on our way home. Now we want to return for the Christmas walk Dec. 22 which features a Christmas market. We’ve marked our calendars already.
If you are interested in a German Easter market, you still might be able to find one this weekend. Check out www.ostern-in-Deutschland.de.
• The cute walking prize for the weekend can be found in Langenzenn. It is a 33-inch square tablecloth with an Easter design. You can earn this prize by completing one of the routes Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The walk flier has a color picture of the tablecloth and it looks very nice. I would not wait until Sunday to try to get one; they might be gone by then. The doors open at 7 a.m. at the start hall at Pfaffenleite 16, in Langenzenn.
• We received a nice note from the Entwistles a few days ago. They went to the walk in Bitche, France, and spoke to one of the folks serving the food at the start hall. The building they were in, the St. Augustine school, was the scene of very heavy fighting in WWII. Each room and hallway was heavily contested as the fighting went back and forth to control the building. This is an example of the many little tidbits you can pick up at an event when you mingle with the hosts of the walk. Thanks for sharing with us.
Email volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO AE, 09752.
