Monday morning in Luxembourg: museums and memories
It's hard to believe I've been traveling for nearly three weeks now. This morning I woke up early as usual and found myself staring at the ceiling of my hotel room, mentally counting - 20 days gone, 480 days remaining. The numbers feel both enormous and insignificant at the same time.
After a quick shower, I headed out at 8:50 for the National Museum of History and Art which opens at 9:00. The air was crisp this morning, around 18°C with some scattered clouds overhead. Weather forecast says there might be rain later, but for now, the sky is holding.
I arrived at the museum entrance and waited the ten minutes until opening, using the time to organize my notes from yesterday. The museum is beautifully laid out, spanning several floors with everything from archaeological finds to contemporary art. What struck me most was a collection of Roman artifacts discovered right here in Luxembourg - remnants of lives lived nearly two millennia ago. Standing there, I couldn't help wondering what traces of our current civilization might survive for future museum-goers.
The museum was nearly empty this early on a Monday, allowing me to move through the exhibits at my own pace. I spent almost two hours wandering the halls, particularly drawn to the paintings depicting Luxembourg's landscape through different centuries. It's fascinating to see how the city has evolved while still maintaining its unique character.
Around 11:00, I stopped at the museum café for a coffee. The barista switched effortlessly between French, German and English as different customers approached the counter. This linguistic agility continues to impress me - it makes me wish I'd spent more time learning languages beyond the basics.
Sitting with my coffee, I found myself reflecting on these past few weeks. I've noticed small changes in myself already - increased comfort with uncertainty, less anxiety about navigating unfamiliar places, more willingness to attempt conversations in languages I barely speak. Are these the beginnings of the transformation I was seeking? Or just the natural adaptations of a traveler?
I'm leaving Luxembourg tomorrow morning, heading to Berlin as planned. Part of me wishes I could stay longer - there's still so much I haven't seen. But that's the nature of this journey, isn't it? Always moving forward, always more to discover than time allows.
My train departs at 9:35 tomorrow, which means I should arrive at the station by 9:00 at the latest. I've already checked the route from my hotel - a 15-minute walk if I take the direct path. I'll need to pack tonight and settle my hotel bill in the morning.
For my final afternoon in Luxembourg, I'm planning to visit the Grand Ducal Palace if possible, or perhaps just wander through the old town again, soaking in the atmosphere one last time. There's a restaurant near Place d'Armes where I spotted Judd mat Gaardebounen (the traditional smoked pork with beans) on the menu yesterday - might be perfect for a farewell dinner.
As I sit here typing this in the museum café, I'm struck by how quickly places begin to feel familiar. Just two days ago, Luxembourg was completely unknown to me. Now I have favorite streets, a mental map of the city center, memories of specific views and moments. And tomorrow, I'll leave it all behind for something new again.
Perhaps that's the most valuable lesson so far - how quickly we can adapt, connect, and then detach. Twenty days down, four hundred and eighty to go. Berlin tomorrow, and after that... we'll see where the journey leads.