This one’s going to be short and sweet, like Sauti Sol and Nyashinski.
I took a trip to Luxembourg last weekend. Four hours and 20 minutes – that’s how long the train ride took. I stepped off the train at Gare Centrale, cellphone in hand with no connection, walked to the information point, was given a physical map of the sites of the city, then strolled out of the station. The sky had opened its valves, letting down rain. So I bought an umbrella to keep me from getting drenched and went out to explore the city.
Bazaar Bar and Restaurant
I had a cappuccino here as I looked at the map to figure out the bearings. The music played here feeds your spirit. The hospitality is delicious. The customer care, smiles and the attention to service is a perfect kiss.
Bus rides
If you don’t like free things, raise your hand. I’m not one of those. Give me something that’s quality for free without attachments, I’ll take it. This city has free bus rides on Saturdays. What more could a tourist like me ask for? And there is music played in these buses as well.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Gothic! And when you walk into the church, an aura of holiness lands on your skin. The air smells of miracles. I lit a candle and I said a prayer. I said my Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory be to the Father. It’s the simplest catholic thing to do after making the sign of the cross.
Church Bells
You might be used to hearing church bells sounding like a gong, giving off the same routine blunt sound of a piece of metal hitting another metallic surface. The church bells that I heard here were melodic. The ones that came from the Cathedral to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the turn of every hour played Ave Maria. They reminded me of my mum. She’s close to Mother Mary.
Oscar’s Diner
A restaurant, bar, sports club with uncountable screens showing live soccer from all the major leagues in Europe. This is one joyful place to spend an evening at. I had my dinner and played my first game of darts here. There is table football and pool too.
Public Toilet
If you find yourself pressed and your bladder is about to explode, find your way to the constitutional square. A few meters to the right of the Gelle Fra monument, you’ll see a sign of a toilet. You won’t pay a dime to use it.
You’ll find four women chatting in French. They’ll laugh. They’ll point you to where to place your umbrella. One of them will pull out a cigarette, light it, open the main entrance and blow the smoke into the raining sky.