The week before the world was supposed to end

So, the world is supposed to end today ... no sign this far but there's still time. For me, this concept of the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar has been a faint annoyance for God knows how many years along with a host of other end times theories. All because many of my acquaintances are what you could call *New Agers*. Many were the times I tried to get them to accept a bet: if the world would not end, they would owe me a bottle of brandy. And vice versa. Somehow, nobody ever took to the idea. I wonder, why?

But the past week has been so extraordinary that, should the world end today, I would die a happy woman. So, just for my own sake, I wanted to write some of it down, in order not to forget completely. 

Monday. The day and the week began on a positive note. I had prayed to all my guardian angels that a certain person, who has been an almost constant pain, would be kept away from my person today. And, oh joy, she was missing!

Lunch with a good friend, a native to this land, who had just recently said that she is so glad that she had found such a good friend at her advanced age. That friend being myself. We were both a bit worried today, and heard each other out and gave encouragement. She said that we have to make sure nothing bad would happen to me because that would have a very bad effect on her. And, if I should end up in hospital, I was to make her responsible, as well as another friend, and they would take care of things. That was sweet. 

Tuesday. The aforesaid bane of my existence is still missing. Yay! I know it will not last but this is my last day at work this year and at least the end of the working year will be cloudless. 

In the evening I went to visit another friend, also native, with whom we have grown more and more close. She is 85 but God, what spirit! Clear as a bell, philosophical, kind, funny ... and she has a dog! She loans me the said animal to make little walks, good for the animal, good for me. We were chatting long into the night, and the dog was given (and gave) many cuddles and kisses. I went away, as I always do, with a light heart. She made me promise to call her as soon as I was back from the doctor tomorrow.

Wednesday. Had a good lie-in. No work for me today. Went to have my viscosupplement infiltrate at 12. This is so funny that everything medical should be such a positive experience here in Letzebuerg! The doc's my age and a funny guy. As well as a completely happy man and excellent at what he does. Got my viscosupplement and many silly jokes. He said that I had probably had a temperature because he's so hot! But of course! I made a silly joke myself, telling him that he would make an excellent veterinarian. That's because with all his jokes and friendly nudging, he somehow does his job without you noticing anything. And that's what's important! The animal must not notice anything! My leg felt immediately better. What bliss. 

In the evening, had a phone call from my  best girl friend in Estonia. We are like sisters, and its so good to feel the caring.

Thursday. Another cool doc to visit. This time, my main man. And he's never a disappointment. There was no secretary, and he came and turned up the radio, saying: some music for you, and making a funny face. Later had a nice talk. I left with the widest smile on my face and such a good feeling ...bless him! With him, I always feel that he's in my corner and this makes all the difference.

I had promised to call the elderly lady friend as soon as I'm back from all the docs, and I did. She was so sweet, she laughs all the time when she hears my voice. She said that I was the dog's best friend, and that the dog had cried when I had left. Which of course isn't good, but still ... I said that I enjoy our evenings so much and that she's suh a good influence to me. And she said, that she felt the same ... and meant it!

In the afternoon, yet another friend was due to come for coffee or tea afterward. He's another native guy, an artist, and a brilliant one at that. He had made marzipan, we had tea and he left quite late. It'll be my turn to visit him in his place the next time. 

In the evening I noticed an e-mail from the girl friend I mentioned first, and called her up. Had another good chat and my joy was complete. 

A week of only positive things, the sweetness of people plus the comfort of staying quietly at my new home which I love so much. I am overcome with gratitude... and then I suddenly realised that this was supposed to be the *end of the world* week. I choose to take it as a worthy ending to this era and hopefully, a harbinger of better times to come. And, as said, should the world end today, I wouldn't mind (too much).

Preparing for Monday

I have been at home with a sore back which in itself isn't too great. But it does have its upside.

I haven't had any vacation this summer, the one in April came and went without me noticing any of it: I was selling my place in Tallinn, Estonia. One and a half weeks! That must be some kind of a record, what with the market these days in Estonia.

Then came the buying of this flat here and moving in. Renovation work, of course, although I didn't do any of it myself, this sort of thing can be very hard on the nerves! You just constantly pray that the men will show up, do their job, finish in time. Thanking all powers that be, my Robin Hood and his merry men did their job and did it well. We were happy with each other. At one point I even hugged one of them, the painter, impulsively draping myself over him. He didn't seem to mind though!

I'm moved in now. The furniture is in its place, so are the curtains, and the place looks like a home. It looks lived in! Cosy beyond imagination.


Probably the reason I could afford to buy it at all was that it is situated in a very *continental* neighbourhood. OK, I knew it full well, I used to live in the next street but still ... first of all, the building houses a sex shop! I live right above the nest of vice. So no worries someone will miss my place!

Secondly, the lovely little square in front of the building is the meeting place of all the drug addicts and drunks of Letzebuerg. All of them, oh, let's see ... that should be ten, no more than fifteen. Seriously! All very well behaved and nice, albeit noisy.

Thirdly: the guy who lived here, quite young, had a serious drinking problem himself. So his dad got rid of the flat and shipped the lad off to the countryside. Let him party with the cows, he said.

Considering everything I thought it sensible to have this place blessed. By an actual priest. To get rid of any possible old bad vibes and attract some new and good ones. As this is a Catholic country with a strong cult of the Mother of God, this seemed only appropriate. We must always work together with the energies of the land. After all, we are all One. But we must take into account of the many manifestations of this One. Or, in other words: in Rome, let's do as the Romans do.

As it happens, I have met some super sweet people here in Letzebuerg. One of them has a friend who's a priest, and he has agreed to come on Monday and we shall have a home blessing.

Somehow the party kept growing and now we have 9 people, myself included. We will be 3 Estonians, 2 French and 4 Letzebuergers. If Robin Hood will join us, it will be a round ten and one Irish.

Today I went, in my car (she adds importantly) to buy some champagne glasses which will be used to serve Letzebuergish Cremant (local shampess, as they say, accent on the first syllable, hehe) at the event. I wanted to explain about the car. I have a new garage in the next street and have been using the car more and more, like a normal person almost. And I haven't scraped it any more going in and out of the garage, as I almost always did in the last place.

I got the glasses in the local Villeroy and Boch factory store. There's a store but the factory was closed down last year. Lots of people lost their jobs. It was a real tragedy, because Letzebuergers were very proud of Villeroy and Boch and considered it a Letzebuergish company.

The factory was closed down and production was moved to Vietnam, or India or wherever.

The glasses that I bought are made in Chekoslovakia. The placemats, in India. Something else in Vietnam. There's hardly something - if anything at all! - that's made in Europe. And, wait for this: drum roll ... the Marimekko design fabric that I bought for my kitchen curtain is made in Estonia !!! Somehow I doubt that the workers in those countries are getting the same pay or enjoying the same benefits as they used to (used to, because they are now jobless) in Letzebuerg. The only ones reaping a profit are the very few super rich who are getting super richer. As the rest of us are nicely levelling out, getting poorer and poorer. Europe will be one big third world country before you know it, mark my words.

But back to the preparations. The pleasant stuff! Got some cheesy snacks from a cafe called Namur. I had a little taste and found them to be dripping with buttery goodness. I'll warm them up a bit before we eat. Made reservations at the nearest Chinese restaurant with Mr Walter, the Chinaman. He's a real character ... very tasty cooking though and the restaurant is funny, looks like a Chinese Disneyland. Kitschy to the point where it becomes almost an art form. That's where we will go afterward for a meal.

Then I got a picture frame for the postcard of the Madonna in our Cathedral, which is a very strange and wonderful Madonna. They call her *the consoler of the troubled*. And She does, She really does do that! I'll go into more detail some other time. Anyhow, wouldn't it be lovely, if She would be present at that event?



I also bought a vase because I seem to remember from somewhere that we have to have white lilies. Saw some in our shop today but it was too early to get them. They have such a strong smell that if I had got them today I would have been dead before Monday.

And some more good news: I heard that next Monday is dedicated to St Therese, one of Letzebuerg's favourite saints! Father Emil will come directly from Mass in her honour. I think it's a good omen!

I'm so looking forward to this event. Heaven only knows how this idea entered my mind, but I'm glad it did. My place has very good vibes already as it is but I'm sure that after Monday, it will be even better. But above all, the chance to be together with kind and lovely people, to do something positive and uplifting! Oh, I'm so incredibly lucky.

One-day trip to Luxembourg

So I'm back to my one-day trip to Luxembourg and what can I say, the thoughts and impressions are positive.

I landed in Lux. mid morning and took a bus to town. Bus no 16 to be exact. The bus stop is right in front of the airport, so that's very handy. As I was sitting in the bus, driving to town, I couldn't but notice how similar the landscape is to Estonia. The same trees, lots of pines, even the sky looked the same. I noticed some bright yellow advertisements attached to lamp-posts and to my great delight they read: Antiques fair! Yippeee!!! As Kristjan noted later, smirking: If they do antiques fairs there, the chances of you saving to buy a car are pretty slim :))) I think he knows me too well .....

My friend and colleague U met me at the bus stop near the office to give me the key, and you know, people, she looked really happy to see me. That further elevated my mood which wasn't too bad to begin with. 

It was raining, a soft drizzle, so I thought I'd go and take care of business first and then head to U's and chill out there. 

The bus took me to the railway station where all buses have their last stop. Right next to the railway station is the street with my apartment hotel. First of all, I didn't see the hotel at all because it didn't have a sign and the door was closed. After looking around and trying to figure out my next step, I saw a lady peeking out of the door and what do you know? It was the same lady, the owner of the hotel I had spoken to earlier on the phone. She let me in and we talked business. The hotel is really like an apartment building, it has no reception or anything of the sort, just a hall with post boxes, an elevator and stairs. People rent rooms there on a monthly basis but to all other intents and purposes, it's just a house of furnished studio flats. 

The feature that makes it so attractive - and popular! - is probably the low rent of the rooms. The location is good too, right smack in the middle of everything. And what's more, it's a new hotel, just 3 years. Meaning, it hasn't gone too shabby ... yet. The lady said that the people staying there mostly work for the EU institutions, and there's even one man from Estonia! 

I left the hotel happy, with a contract in my pocket and my heart light. It had been a real issue ... I mean, one needs a place where to stay! I just can't be expected to camp out under a tree (as we say here in Estonia). So that's settled now. No more looking at apartment ads until I'm there. Then I'll take it easy for some time, wait for the money to come in and then start looking for a real place of my own. 

Oh, and the best part is that I'll have internet immediately. I only have to plug my computer in and here I am ... connected to all my near and dear ones, not excluding my virtual family here at Multiply. 

Later when U and A (she's a trainee at the translation centre who stays with U) came from work it turned out that they had a little party planned. Agnes, who's a culinary genius, whipped up a dinner of oven potatoes, pork chops and salad. They had invited another colleague, K, whom I also know for 10 years from my last workplace. 

Actually, it's rather remarkable. Let me tell you how they all happened to be there, in Luxembourg. In 1997 I took a job at a new office called the Estonian Legal Translation Center. My father had just died and I realised that I would need something more substantial for a job than just translating freelance. Incidentally, the center was in the same building as my father's institute had been. And just a street away from the school where I had studied as a child. And my next workplace, the Ministry of Justice, is in the same street. Almost a half of the people working at the translation center were former schoolmates ... I mean, it's almost obvious we are looking at a soul group here.

So when Estonia joined the EU, the translation center was closed as its task - to prepare the EU legislation - was completed. The majority of the translators (with the exception of U, P, S and myself) immediately moved to either Brussels or Luxembourg. S and I went on to work for the Ministry of Justice. U soon came to second thoughts and also moved to Luxembourg. So did P. This summer, S - who had always scoffed at the very idea of moving out of the country - suddenly announced that she was going after all. What a surprise that was! 

And now, yours truly, the last of the Mohawks, is joining them as well. Karma, that's all I can say. I have tried to evade it long enough but now ... I have decided to embrace it. Be it karma, but I'll make dharma out of it. Get it? Lemons - lemonade! 

But seems it's not a matter of lemons, or if they are lemons, then they are sweet lemons. The people working there have, time and again, written me to tell that I should really lug my arse over there as they are having so much fun. The last time when I was there and we met with 2 other former colleagues and schoolmates for dinner, I again got the impression that they are deeply contented with their lives there. M and E are down-to-earth women, maybe not exactly the same type as myself, so there may have been some doubt left whether I would share their experience. 

But the woman who came to dinner at U's, K ... she's such a complete sweetheart, a bit melancholy, poetic, vulnerable and if she's loving the life there, then I guess it must be to my taste as well. We had a good talk and I had such a positive impression from what I heard and how I perceived her to be that now I can say that I'm convinced that it'll be all right. And, I hope, even more than all right. 

We talked and laughed late into the night ... and consumed considerable amounts of alcohol. But it was great. It was a very mellow, relaxed night. Perfect for easing all my doubts and fears!

So I'm back and the jitters are gone. I'm now looking forward to my adventure.

Oh! And I forgot: we are going to Scotland in autumn, U, K and I. We were there twice during the time we worked for the translation center and it stayed in our heart. And we never got to go to the islands ... so now we plan to do that. As well as take lessons of the Letzeburgisch (that's the language of Luxembourg) in town. A good plan of action, don't you think?

Just landed

Greetings from Letzeburg, aka Luxembourg!

Landed yesterday. The flight went fine, including the little matter of 11 kilos of excess baggage! Had to pay though, but it wasn't as much as I feared. It was fun, carting the "black 'ole" after me, tottering and careening, out of the airport towards a taxi. The poor bloke who drove the cab must've given himself a hernia, hauling it into the trunk. But he was brave ... never emitted a sound, except for a little groan.

The studio hotel, the "meerkat 'ole" for the nearest future, is situated near the raiway station, in local parlance - Gare. Hence the presence of a slightgly shadowy and seedy element in the streets surrounding it. My hotel is right next to an "awful low boozer" (quoting "our Rose" from Keeping up Appearances} and a couple of times I've had to navigate through a swarm of happy drunks, just entering or exiting the said boozer. But not to worry: as one of my pals said - even the bums here are extremely well behaved!

The first impressions of my room weren't shining.  Again, seedy was the word that came to mind. But after establishing that the internet connection is working and having a proper look around, it started to look promising. In fact, I feel it growing on me. It has a little entrance hall, with a place to hang the overcoats (very important feature! as we are talking of just one room, cupboard space is essential). A few steps lead to the shower-room cum loo. This is a room I'm particularly fond of. It has a French window which I can open and then it doubles as a smoking-room. Perfect! Although I smoke, I don't like doing it in a living space.

The room itself has a large cupboard (massive, of dark wood planks, in a French country style). A little desk, if the same material. A leather easy chair and a leather chair. I'm partial to leather! There's a single bed and a TV! What else does a body need? A bit monkish (or in my case nunnish, hehe) but it'll do for the time being. Meerkat 'ole seems an appropriate name!

Yesterday, as soon as I had unpacked, I had a serious mission to take care of. As I am in Central Europe now, the local customs in re working hours are a bit different (or, oh heck! who am I kidding? cardinally different!). Meaning: yes, there are shops! of coursed there are shops, and plenty! But they close exactly the same time as everyone else stops work - about 18.00. And on holidays ... forget it! Closed! Even the food stores!

So I made a mad dash to collect everything necessary to set up a household, things that I possibly couldn't have taken with me such as dishwashing liquid, a mop, soap, etc. You get the idea! As well as some stocks to tide me over ... peanut butter and jelly, a bottle of wine and another of Jagermeister, a German herb liquor that is purely medicinal. I felt entitled!

In the evening my colleague K called and invited me to dinner. I navigated through the empty and darks streets of Luxembourg and got properly lost! Not even a drunk to ask the way from! Only myself and my trusted map. I don't know how, but exactly at the moment when I was thinking that now I'm really lost, I looked up and what do I see on the other side of the street than the restaurant that I was looking for! Now that's remarkable!

Another colleague had driven over for the May Day weekend with her hubby and 2 kiddies, and they were staying at K's place. We went there after dinner and I got a look at how the "other half" lives. And let me tell you ... that was no 'ole, meerkat or otherwise! More of a palace! A jacuzzi in the bathroom, for chrissakes! And hardwood floors, and the latest kitchen fixtures, etc. K got it after another colleague moved to a house. But it's a bit too pricey for my taste, and I can surely live without all those "extras" ... they charge extra for the extras!  I'd rather have more left from my salary to go travelling or get myself a car or ... But the remarkable thing is that on a salary like ours, it's possible to have such a place to live!

Today I went on a short scouting trip to discover Old Luxembourg. I have to say, it's very very beautiful! Everything is of the right proportion to my eyes, not too big and not too little. The colours of the houses are pleasing to the eye. It's elegant, but not over the top. Cosy but not too petit bourgeoise. And the weather is perfect, about 20 degrees ... everything is bright green except for the part that is violet, white or yellow due to it being in bloom. And there are trees that I haven't seen before! They have huge pink blossoms! I have no idea what they are. Their branches are very knobbly ...

As I joined the hundreds of other revellers, slowly ambling through the streets of the old town, I suddenly found myself in the central square that had been turned into a May fair ... and what a fair it was! Dozens of booths, each selling another delicay! The aromas of grilled meat, freshly baked bread and coffee hung thick in the air, mixed with more outlandish smells of incence, masalas and curry.

I had just thought, as I was entering the square, slightly worried, that I had not taken enough of a wonderful medicine called Horse Liniment with me (it is actually a balm made for our four legged friends, but it works wonders on us humans as well ... back aches, torn ligaments, its priceless!) And I look up and what do I see? A man selling Pferdebalsam! I couldn't believe my eyes!

After procuring a pot of the said liniment, I moved along, and within a few steps, noticed a women's clothing store that I had heard so much about! Another miracle! The thing is that yours truly is a bit "wide around the verandah" which makes it hard for me to find fitting blouses and jackets, so I have to resort to the "big girls section" in this. That I should find this shop, simply like that! My band of angels and other well-meaning and hard-working spirits are clearly doing overtime! And, as if this was not enough, they let me find 2 immovable property agencies on my way that I will visit soon to find a more posh meerkat 'ole for myself. But not just yet. I'll wait until I get the first salary.

Tomorrow, I'll explore the oldest part of the town, called the Grund, or the ground. It's in a valley of the River Petrusse that looks quite like a moat around the  ole town. It's really very, very deep down, and looks rather romantic! But that will be tomorrow.

Today, I'll stay in for the night and experiment with the microwave oven! Another "first" experience :))))

Meerkat signing off from sunny Luxembourg!

Ze meerchat 'as a new 'ole!

Ze meerchat 'as a new 'ole!

'allo, 'allo, 'allo!
Ze meerchat zigning in!

Well, it has been one crazy week! I have experienced, walked my feet off, seen, felt more then in many many years. In the evenings I have been so bushed that I basically crashed in front of the TV!

First of all, the job. In the morning, I step in the shower, put on my office clothes and join the migrant workforce in transit to the hundreds of Euro establishments in a place called the Kirchberg plateau. I work in one of the high rise buildings called appropriately albeit a bit morbidly the Twin Towers. Thankfully, my office is on the first floor.

The work seems to be interesting and at least I don't feel entirely lost. It's in many ways very similar to what I was doing before. The colleagues, too, seem to be a nice bunch, not very emotional but not mean either. I have a nice room all to myself, a good computer and a window that's really more of a glass wall. I like that! There's one colleague who smokes and has a cat, so I have an instent friend in her. Other colleagues have been giving me information concerning the practicalities of everyday life. All very nice!

Last weekend was wonderful. My friend K called and we went to see a religious procession that was supposed to take place in the city. But we must've gotten something wrong because there was a service at the church but no procession! It was interesting to watch how much the Catholic church has adopted new elements in its service. They all were recited Our Father together with hand signs, that gave it an extra ooomph! And they were singing Kumbaya! Wowee! All in all, it doesn't matter what words or form people use, it's still all about the age old yearning for communion with the highest spiritual aspect, the quest for meaning, that keeps us going. And energy-wise, it works all the same! In addition, the number of people participating in a ceremony, the upward direction of the sacral building ... it all helps.  Ceremonial magic at its very best! I used the opportunity presented to me and hitched a free ride as well ;)

There's one more place I particularly like in Lux and that's the river valley surrounding the central cliff or rock (called the Bock). It's very deep and houses some of the oldest buildings in all Luxembourg. It is hyper romantic. A silent green river, trees that almost touch the surface of the water, the apple-pie like houses right on the river, places to have beer ... ohhhh that was heaven! 

 
We had a long and lazy afternoon with K, exploring the valley and consuming beverages. There's a little church hewn out of rock! And another one, the oldest in Lux. I saw 2 little lizards and a water bird, and ducks. Found a little antiques shop where I'll come back to buy things for the apartment once I'm settled in. There was coloured glass, and wedgewood-like china that I'm quite fond of!

That brings us on to the matter of apartments and the reason I've been running my feet off. First of all, despite of the fact that there are hundreds and hundreds of advertisements, the apartment market is pretty empty. And especially when it comes to one bedroom apartments that are furnished. I mean furnished with real stuff, not some unimaginable horror that the greedy immovable property people imagine that someone would take for furniture!

I saw two of such places and it was clear immediately that the answer would be: never! not in a million years! In one of the places, teh bedroom had no window! In the other, the shower was part of the bedroom. I mean, inside the bedroom! I dubbed the immovable property agency as The Agency of Creative Solutions! For people who look with something differfent! Ha bloody ha! And it could be so easily avoided ... just a few photos, pals! As if your hands would fall off for the extra effort! But no ... they prefer a wild goose chase. I really can't believe they have nothing better to do at 18.30 Friday afternoon than to show a client (me!) a place that nobody in their right mind would rent!

But, as they say in Finnish: the third time is the right one! And so it was in my case as well. After seeing the horrors before, I decided to have a look at one of the adverisements that actually had photos provided and the photos looked promising! And I immediately understood that I had struck gold.

The flat has everything I require. It has 2 rooms, a very large living room with two windows and an American kitchen. A small bedroom with built in closets with mirror doors. The bathroom has a bathtub and a washing machine. The house is recently built and has great isolation. Oh, and a terrace. There are 2 lovely modern leather couches in the living room and a glass topped coffee table. In the kitchen, there is a dishwasher which I don't suppose I'll use but it's good to have anyway, don't you think?

But what I absolutely love about the place is the apartment owner. It's not a local immovable  property shark but the sweetest young dad, a Yugoslavian, who works in one of the large banks here. He's recently married and they have a newborn baby, that's why they had to get a bigger place. So in the future, i'll be communicating with him. I'll be so easy, the man speaks English! And what a difference it makes that he's just a person, not a professional landlord!

I felt so blessed yesterday, so thankful to all my ancestors and protectors!  They  did an excellent job! I feel undeserving ... but so happy, so happy. I'll move in 1st of June. And that'll be so great, to buy bits and pieces for the new place and not having to spend fortunes on the really big pieces as beds and cupboards. I saw some Tiffant lamps, maybe I'll get one! It's been a dream of mine since I was a child ...

So, as you can see:
Ze meerchat 'as a new 'ole!
Bravo! Yippee! 'ooray, 'ooay, 'ooray!

Patchwork ... religious

Yesterday I went for a long stroll in the old town. There's something inexplicably calming and cheering about the old town of Luxembourg. And taking account of the fine weather and the green green trees ... I just blissed out, walking slowly those cobbled streets, drinking in the atmosphere and smelling the aromas of trees in blossom, freshly ground coffee and all kinds of meals cooking in one restaurant or another.

In one of the narrow winding streets, I suddenly noticed two doors. Very nondescript doors, except for the signs that hung above them. "Believers" said one and "Non-believers", the other. Intrigued, I ventured closer, and after a moment of doubt, opened the one under the sign "Believers".

I found myself in the town history museum and ... an exhibition called "Matters of faith". Well, that should be interesting, I thought. The guy who sold me the ticket hung a computer card around my neck, also called "believer" ... that made me feel a bit funny!

It was a good exhibition, you know. Interactive! That's what the card was for. You had to slip it into a computer workstation in every exhibition room and answer a few questions about how and what you think about spiritual matters. The questions were not unlike the test you can find on Beliefnet.

The exhibition itself used a lot of video installations. There was a room where people of different confessions spoke about their faith and prayer. That was so sweet in a way because, the impression I got was that no matter what anyone chooses to call himself or herself, we are all simply human, with similar thoughts and hopes, beliefs and fallacies. If we would only understand that ... this planet of ours would be a much nicer place.

I remember one of the people speaking, an older lady, a practicing Catholic. She said something like this: "When I was younger, I imagined God to be a strict and scary guy, sitting somewhere there, above, and keeping his beady eye on me. As I grow older, I notice that God has grown older together with me. And he has grown softer, kinder. I feel that I have no fear of God these days. Also my prayer has changed. When I was a girl, I simply had to kneel down and recite my prayers or God would disapprove. These days, I hardly ever do that ... now, a walk in the nature can be a prayer for me and no words are needed ..." In those words, you can feel how a person has grown into the acceptance and kindness that age can bring. Not afraid of God anymore, God has grown old with me ... I found that simply moving.

There was another room that dealt with what is a very Luxembourgian thing. Apparently, they have a cult of Virgin Mary here, a special statue that is called the Mother of God of the Afflicted that is supposed to be very helpful in case of illness or bad luck. Now that was also the reason why they had this elaborate religious procession last week. It was the culmination of a 5 week to-do, a prayerfest in honour of the same.

The statue has a cupboard full of exquisite brocade gowns (that come second only to Imelda Marcos') that are the presents from people and organisations across centuries. And 15 of those gowns were on show at the museum! With little matching outfits for Baby Jesus! Those were mindblowing! The craftsmanship!

At the end of the exhibition, the last computer station delivered its verdict.

Apparently I am
PATCHWORK RELIGIOUS !!!

Which basically means that my beliefs are made up of bits and pieces of this and that. And I'm supposed to be OK with almost everything :)))

I had a look at the statistics and over 1000 exhibition-goers had felt the same way as I did.

A funny tidbit to end this story:
seems that the majority of women believe in heaven but don't believe in hell.
And a majority of men, on the contrary, believe in hell but are a bit iffy about the existence of heaven!

Now analyse THAT !!!

Meerkat being helpful

Another hysterically funny episode from the life of the bumbling meerkat.



Monday morning was supposed to be my first lesson in French. So I arrive early, circle the building (in fact, several buildings) trying to get in. Nothing new there. This is what I always do. Finally I spot some people with knowledgeable faces coming from the bus stop which gave me some hope that they would

know where to go. Of course they did and following them, I got into the building.

It was quite simple after that: I went straight to room 028 that had been indicated in my invitation. Said hello to the three people already there and took a seat. The teacher was late, I mean, very very late. So I just sat there and listened to the other people's conversation. But I did wonder how such experienced and long-time translators still didn't know any French ... based on what they said everyone had a house here, to say nothing about a car and a family! They seemed very settled in!

Eventually another old-timer came in, put his briefcase down next to me, whipped out his invitation and pushed it under my nose, demanding: "Is this the Croatian class?" I had noticed his name on the paper: it was Estonian. "No, it's not," I told him in our mutual mother tongue. "In fact, its French, beginners' level. You'd better go and try to find your Croatian class, 'cause this is not it." "Oh fuck," says he, picks up his satchel and marches out of the room, banging the door.

Some more waiting followed and finally, the teacher arrived. She was greeted, in FLUENT FRENCH, by my classmates. Now it was my turn to oh-fuck. Mentally, of course! So that's how it's going to be! I had heard horror stories about those langage courses for translators where everyone actually has excellent command of the language. Why they enrol at the beginners' level, remains a mystery to me.

So I say, in English: "Khm, I think we have a problem here. I actually REALLY don't speak any French." A surprised silence followed. "Oh-uh," says the teacher in very wobbly English. "I guess I could try to put it in English for you ..."

I sit, seething. She pulls out a textbook and sends it around, saying that this is the book they have always used for those lessons. Even from the other side of the room I could tell that this was NOT the book I had been told to buy (which I did and paid good money for it, let me tell you).

So I seethe some more and wait for the book to reach me in order to make another biting comment. It did reach me. And what do you think? The book was for learning CROATIAN !!! At that point I jump up, and yell: "Is this the French class for beginners?" "No," they tell me in chorus," It's Croatian!"

I burst out laughing and so does everyone else. For some comic relief, for heavens' sake! "And now," say I, "I only have to find that poor soul whom I sent to god knows where in search of the Croatian class..."

To cut a long story short: I finally found my French class. The first lesson was almost over. But nobody minded. The teacher was a pretty and funny girl and my co-students: eight strapping lads. Which made the lesson really fun and lively as everyone was trying to impress the teacher! In the end, meerkat had great fun. And nobody spoke much French either.

As for the Estonian gentleman: I saw him marching towards the bus stop, briefcase under arm, very red in the face and looking (understandably) peeved. I hid behind the corner of the building and didn't come out until he had alighted a bus. I will have to be very careful not to bump into him in the future :))))

On double numbers and potato salad

Yesterday yours truly set out around lunchtime to find the place where to get an internet connection for my new place. It was another warm and sunny day and so I thought I'd go on foot.

The building that I was looking for was supposed to be located at 283 Route d'Arlon (or Arlon Road). I started walking at the beginning of the said road, thinking that it would be pretty easy. Just march on and on, keeping a healthy tempo, and soon enough you'll reach the place you're supposed to be. In addition, nice exercise will be had.

So that's what I did. It was much farther than I had thought. The sun was beating down on the little meerkat head, and the road went steadily uphill. In an hour or so I started to have regrets of not having taken the bus.

Eventually I reached a house with a sign clearly saying: 283, Route d'Arlon. Two blokes were having a smoke outside. So I ask them: where can I find Numericable, the company?

Bla bla bla, bla, bla, bla ... they gurgle in French, waving their arms as they tend to do. The only thing I got was the word NON! I asked once again. They go bla bla again. This time I understood that they were trying to tell me that this is not the building. That there was another building with the same number somewhere in that direction ... up the street.

I left reluctantly, dragging my feet in the dust. I was almost 100 % sure they were pulling my leg or nose or any other protruberance of choice. I was sure they must have been thinking: oh what a boring afternoon we are having! Let's have some fun at the expense of the stupid meerkat, asking the way in its silly meerkat language!

I then remembered that someone had mentioned that the said offices are next to a big department store, called the Belle Etoile, or the Pretty Star. So I decided to ask for directions to that from the next person I'd meet.

Two kind women waved their directions, also up the street but said that I'd better take a bus because it would be a long way. Waiting for the bus, an elderly woman picked up a conversation with me in mixed Letzebuergisch and French and by the time the bus came, I knew all about her family and her many ailments ... which was quite a lot, considering that I speak neither. I think it must be one of the two things: either I look a complete nutter (because that sort of thing happens to me all the time) or I simply have that kind of a face :)))

Finally, the Pretty Star shopping center. I enter and ask for further directions. Another guy says: non, non, non ... it's not here, the address here is 380 Route d'Alon! You have to go back! And he waves me down the street.

At this point, I was fuming. I marched down that blasted road, cursing loudly in Estonian. The thing I was most afraid of was that I'd now march DOWN the street and UP to the same damn building I had just come from! If that would be the case, I thought, I would look up those men and give them a piece of my mind as well as a thorough stuffing!

So I keep walking the Arlon road ... 360 ... 340 ... 300 ... and ... 283!
And it IS another building!
Those blokes had been telling the truth!

After getting my breath back and my contract in order, I asked the customer service to answer this question for me: how is this possible?

The explanation was simple. There is one Route d'Arlon. Within the limits of Luxembourg, the numbers reach from one to about 300. Then Luxembourg ends and Strassen begins and ... wait for it ... wait for it .... THE NUMBERING STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN FROM 1 !!!!

CAPISCE ?!?!?

After that I took a bus straight home. It was half past 4 pm. On my way home, I passed by the food store, and bought:

1. potatoes
2. a cucumber
3. eggs
5. sour cream

because, frankly, I felt I needed some proper home made nourishment!
Boiled the potatoes and eggs and made me a salad ... and the meerkat was happy again.

Purring, in fact :)))