Thank you all for following along on our travel adventures! We made it home safe and sound yesterday (July 1st) and are looking forward to sharing our pictures and stories with you over the summer! If you have any questions about the dairy judging program in Maryland, please contact Kiera at kieraf@umd.edu
We had a wonderful time and learned so much, thank you for supporting us on this once in a lifetime opportunity!!!!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
For our day in Germany, we went to two small towns where we walked around leisurely, going into several small local shops. The houses were cute and looked very similar to the one's in Hershey Park. After eating a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we went on a Rhine river cruise. The ship was very nice and the ride was smooth and beautiful. We saw many local towns located on the Rhine river and beautiful castles on the hills surrounding the river. The cruise was one and a half hours and after we got off the ship we took a short ride to a local vineyard. We tasted three different wines, which were all delicious. After tasting the wine, we stayed at the vineyard for a delicious dinner and desert, and then looked around at the beautiful grape vines which were located on the hills. We are now at the hotel for our last night in Germany and in Europe. Tomorrow we are flying home after an amazing trip!
Love to all,
Hannah and THE TEAM
We also posted the remaining pictures from England, France and Luxembourg. The photos from today will be posted later this week. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marylanddairy2008/
Love to all,
Hannah and THE TEAM
We also posted the remaining pictures from England, France and Luxembourg. The photos from today will be posted later this week. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marylanddairy2008/
Miss us yet?
Here are some more pictures to tide you over :-) Luxembourg and Germany (well, so far anyway) are posted. Hopefully I have enough time to get France up to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marylanddairy2008/
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Derek's Host Family
I stayed with Andre from Michigan State at Cylvi and Louie Guth's house. They picked us up at the the agricultural college after a shindig with the Grand Duc. They took us to a pizza parlor where we ate pizza with a fork. Then we drove to their house where we met the rest of the family, Andre (12), Claude (22), Peris (20), and their worker from Portugal. We sat around the table and looked at Cylvi's picture album of her trip to Canada.
The next morning we offered to help with the chores but they didn't want our help. So we ate breakfast and watched them finish their chores. They milk about 70 holstein cows twice a day. Due to the quota system they cant expand their herd. They share a mixer wagon with the neighbors. While we were in the pasture Peris came and picked us up because the cows were out down the road. After our tour of their farm we went to the neighboring dairy farms. The first farm we went to had dairy and beef cows, methane digester, and a horse barn. The methane digester was built 5 years ago. To keep a horse at the farm it would cost 370 euros or about $814. The next farm we went to had a huge white dog and dairy cows. I was amazed by how big their houses were by just milking 45 cows. After the second tour me and Andre we invited to Claude's friend's wedding. We stuck out a lot and stood by ourselves for awhile until Hannah and her 2 other roommates showed up.
Later we went to the barbeque with Guei, another host family member. It was a lot of fun getting together with everyone again. After that Guei took us into Luxemburg city for the night. The next morning we slept in until about 11:30 which was great. Cylvi and Louie then drove us to the city for Pizza Hut. Then we said our goodbyes and got on the coach to drive to Germany.
They were extremely nice, Cylvi even did laundry for us. Overall I had a really good time and am glad it is a part of the tour.
Derek Lease
The next morning we offered to help with the chores but they didn't want our help. So we ate breakfast and watched them finish their chores. They milk about 70 holstein cows twice a day. Due to the quota system they cant expand their herd. They share a mixer wagon with the neighbors. While we were in the pasture Peris came and picked us up because the cows were out down the road. After our tour of their farm we went to the neighboring dairy farms. The first farm we went to had dairy and beef cows, methane digester, and a horse barn. The methane digester was built 5 years ago. To keep a horse at the farm it would cost 370 euros or about $814. The next farm we went to had a huge white dog and dairy cows. I was amazed by how big their houses were by just milking 45 cows. After the second tour me and Andre we invited to Claude's friend's wedding. We stuck out a lot and stood by ourselves for awhile until Hannah and her 2 other roommates showed up.
Later we went to the barbeque with Guei, another host family member. It was a lot of fun getting together with everyone again. After that Guei took us into Luxemburg city for the night. The next morning we slept in until about 11:30 which was great. Cylvi and Louie then drove us to the city for Pizza Hut. Then we said our goodbyes and got on the coach to drive to Germany.
They were extremely nice, Cylvi even did laundry for us. Overall I had a really good time and am glad it is a part of the tour.
Derek Lease
amy's visit in luxembourg
well i suppose its my time to write about my host family visit in Luxembourg. I was hosted by JP and Lucy Flemmang--very good friends of Bruce's and the coordinators of our time in Luxembourg. I was with the other Aimee on the trip, from Connecticut, who was very nice. We headed off from the meeting with the Grand Duc with Lucy for a light meal at their house. We then went back into Ettelbreck to find JP at the very nice dinner that turned into a party. Headed back to the house for a very nice sleep in on Saturday.
Saturday morning we had a family breakfast and then were shown the house, the barns, and their farm by JP, Lucy, and Patrick (a foreign exchange student from Poland living with them for 3 months.) Then Lucy, Aimee, and I went to a small town about 5 minutes away to see another castle with another good workout walking up the stairs. We then went to the lake that provides more than 75% of Luxembourg's water supply which was pretty neat. We then headed back home and their girls arrived home from school. Nora is 8 and Lina is 11 and it was obvious they had both worked very hard learning to say 'Hi, my name is...' to introduce themselves to us. Lina can understand about 80% of what we were saying-Bruce has helped a lot with her English- and I think Nora can understand more than we all think. All of us then headed to the World War II museum in Bastogne where the Battle of the Bulge was fought. It was really interesting to see how much the people Luxembourg appreciate what the Americans did for them in the war. We headed back home and got ready to head to the judging and barbeque.
Although we all agreed with each other, the official did not seem to like how we placed the class. We had a very good meal and it was fun to see everyone again. This morning started out with another family breakfast and then the family headed out to a castle about 15 minutes away from the house.
It was a beautiful morning to be outside and we had a great last outing together. The weather was awesome and the views were absolutely breathtaking. Learning about Luxembourg was really neat and I had a great time. I guess my only regret is the amount of time. I wish we could've stayed there longer and helped them get ready for their big show next week. I took many pictures. Love and miss you all-pretty much ready to come home. See you soon =)
Love,
Amy
Saturday morning we had a family breakfast and then were shown the house, the barns, and their farm by JP, Lucy, and Patrick (a foreign exchange student from Poland living with them for 3 months.) Then Lucy, Aimee, and I went to a small town about 5 minutes away to see another castle with another good workout walking up the stairs. We then went to the lake that provides more than 75% of Luxembourg's water supply which was pretty neat. We then headed back home and their girls arrived home from school. Nora is 8 and Lina is 11 and it was obvious they had both worked very hard learning to say 'Hi, my name is...' to introduce themselves to us. Lina can understand about 80% of what we were saying-Bruce has helped a lot with her English- and I think Nora can understand more than we all think. All of us then headed to the World War II museum in Bastogne where the Battle of the Bulge was fought. It was really interesting to see how much the people Luxembourg appreciate what the Americans did for them in the war. We headed back home and got ready to head to the judging and barbeque.
Although we all agreed with each other, the official did not seem to like how we placed the class. We had a very good meal and it was fun to see everyone again. This morning started out with another family breakfast and then the family headed out to a castle about 15 minutes away from the house.
It was a beautiful morning to be outside and we had a great last outing together. The weather was awesome and the views were absolutely breathtaking. Learning about Luxembourg was really neat and I had a great time. I guess my only regret is the amount of time. I wish we could've stayed there longer and helped them get ready for their big show next week. I took many pictures. Love and miss you all-pretty much ready to come home. See you soon =)
Love,
Amy
my time in Luxembourg
Well, I was really nervous about spending time in another person's house that I really didn't know. However, when I met my host Luc, I knew I would have a good time. Turns out Luc, is really friendly and showed us a great time in Luxembourg. I met Luc on Friday afternoon, when we went to his beautiful house and Limousine beef farm, which surprisingly are connected and located in the "village" (town). We ate a classic Luxembourgish dinner, which consisted of bread and mozzarella cheese, which was delicious. After dinner we went out in the city where we met some of Luc's frineds, who spoke English. I was surprised to find out that most people in Luxembourg speak many languages, including, Luxembourgish, French, German, and English.
In the morning, we took a drive through many parts of Luxembourg and the edges of Germany and France. We saw beautiful landscapes, homes, and even a vineyard. We then had a delicious Italian lunch and went for an easy 3 mile hike through the forest. The path only had one steep part so the hike was very relaxing. After the hike, we went to a Luxembourgish wedding reception, which has many different traditions than in America. I didn't feel really out of place though becuase Derek, and his roomate Andre also ended up being at the wedding. What a coincidence.
After the wedding, we went to the barbeque with all the other host families. After the barbeque, we once again went back into the city for the night. In the morning, we woke up early and got pictures with the family which consisted of Luc, his mother, father, and grandmother.
Then we toured the city and I got a lot of good scenery pictures.
I must agree with Laurel, when she said that Luxembourgish driving is scary. If you think some Americans drive crazy just come to Luxembourg. However, I must say, I was really impressed by Luxembourg. The people are very friendly and very well educated. I had an amazing time and this has been the highlight of the trip.
Hannah
In the morning, we took a drive through many parts of Luxembourg and the edges of Germany and France. We saw beautiful landscapes, homes, and even a vineyard. We then had a delicious Italian lunch and went for an easy 3 mile hike through the forest. The path only had one steep part so the hike was very relaxing. After the hike, we went to a Luxembourgish wedding reception, which has many different traditions than in America. I didn't feel really out of place though becuase Derek, and his roomate Andre also ended up being at the wedding. What a coincidence.
After the wedding, we went to the barbeque with all the other host families. After the barbeque, we once again went back into the city for the night. In the morning, we woke up early and got pictures with the family which consisted of Luc, his mother, father, and grandmother.
Then we toured the city and I got a lot of good scenery pictures.
I must agree with Laurel, when she said that Luxembourgish driving is scary. If you think some Americans drive crazy just come to Luxembourg. However, I must say, I was really impressed by Luxembourg. The people are very friendly and very well educated. I had an amazing time and this has been the highlight of the trip.
Hannah
a visit with Pierre
I'm not going to lie. I was terrified at the thought of going to some strange person's house who didn't speak English. And when Pierre greeted me with a huge hug, I was more than a little creeped out. But it turned out that Pierre was one of the funniest people I have ever met. On Friday night, Pierre took me and my roommate, Amanda, to a disco to meet some of his friends. I was surprised to find out how many people there actually spoke English. The next morning, Pierre, Amanda, and I met with some of the other Americans and hosts to tour a nearby castle. The view was absolutely amazing. While at lunch at a local restaurant, we discovered that in Luxembourg, you have to pay for any extra ketchup you use. We then drove to Belgium to see a memorial for Americans that died in World War II. That night we went to barbeque with the other host and Americans. A good time was had by all.
The next day, Pierre took Amanda and I to see a methane digester that is shared by his community. A total of 19 farms send the manure there and the heat is used to heat all of their houses. We then went to a farm to see robotic milkers before catching the bus to head to Germany.
All this joy riding might sound like a lot of fun, but riding in a car with Pierre was quite the expereince. I would compare it to riding a rollercoaster. And I held on for my life every time I got in the car. Another interesting point was that in Luxembourg, all you have for breakfast and dinner is bread. And sometimes cheese. But it was a very good experience and I had a lot of fun.
Laurel
The next day, Pierre took Amanda and I to see a methane digester that is shared by his community. A total of 19 farms send the manure there and the heat is used to heat all of their houses. We then went to a farm to see robotic milkers before catching the bus to head to Germany.
All this joy riding might sound like a lot of fun, but riding in a car with Pierre was quite the expereince. I would compare it to riding a rollercoaster. And I held on for my life every time I got in the car. Another interesting point was that in Luxembourg, all you have for breakfast and dinner is bread. And sometimes cheese. But it was a very good experience and I had a lot of fun.
Laurel
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