We are looking at another short list of walks this weekend, typical of the runup to the holidays. The Saturday walk in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, looks to be the most exciting. We did this walk several years ago and were amazed by this beautiful city. All three routes begin between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. You must complete the walk by 6 p.m. The event will take you along a 5-, 10- or 15-kilometer illuminated route through this 1,000-year old city and the Christmas market. Grab the backpack for the goodies you’ll buy in the market and the stores along the way, and bundle up for the march, dressing in layers. Don’t miss this great Christmas experience.• • •We know how easy it is to focus on German Christmas markets, but don’t overlook your European neighbors. We have also been to Christmas markets in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands and have found them to be exciting. There are also markets in the U.K. and Italy. The central theme of Christmas is the same, but each country has its own unique cultural flavor.• • •Clark Soeldner tells us that the flier for the walk in Pradipozzo di Portogruaro, Italy, says there will be pasta e fagioli for everyone at the final restoro. He adds that the walk in Roncaglia (which we shortened from Roncaglia di Ponte San Nicolo in the walk chart found at the website above) has a choice of prizes. The first 300 people will get five liters of olive oil. Other walkers will receive five packages of pasta.The cost of the walk is 17 euros if you want the olive oil; 3.50 euros if you get the pasta.• • •
We looked for the Kaiserslautern Sunny Coyotes at the Valkenburg, Netherlands, Christmas caves December 4th without success. However, Helen Wallace tells us they were there and had a very nice time. We certainly had a blast there. After going through one of the caves, we were loaded down with many good presents. We found Delftware-like tree ornaments, home-made sausages and scarves, to mention just a few.Next was a lunch break at a cafe where the pea soup was excellent. After a quick trip to the car to drop off packages and feed the parking meter, we went to the museum in the town center to see an exhibit by our favorite Dutch painter, Anton Pieck. The weather in Valkenburg was pretty nice for December. We all lucked out by going Saturday because the next day brought high winds, freezing rain and snow.We’re sorry that we missed the Sunny Coyotes, but we still had a very nice day in Valkenburg. Wherever you find yourselves this weekend, we hope you have a unique European Christmas experience.Thanks to the following folks for sending fliers: William Castro and Maureen McHugh-Castro, Richard and Donna Glenn, Wayne Henry, “Pat” and Cheryl Patterson, Rick Sciascia, Nancy Shawley. You guys are the best!E-mail volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09752.
