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Virginia & West Virginia, March 2003 "Oh the West Virginia Hills, how majestic and how grand, with their summits bathed in glory, like our Prince Emanuel’s land. Is it any wonder then that my heart with rapture fills, as I stand once more with loved ones on those West Virginia Hills. Oh the hills, beautiful hills, how I love those West Virginia hills. If over sea or land I roam, still I’ll think of happy home, and those friends among the West Virginia hills." -Mrs. Ellen King
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Leesburg,
VA & Washington D.C.
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Leesburg, VA & Washington D.C. On March 1st I started my second travels to the U.S. of A. After a long flight with Air France via Paris I arrived at Dulles International Airport in the early evening. After a short trip we arrived in Leesburg, Virginia, where we did stay in a condominium for some days a week, which a friend of my girl gracefully let to us. On the first day, a sunday, we went to Washington D.C. for some great sightseeing. With a parking space right at the Vietnam Memorial we were in reach of all the great memorials, and with awe I examined the marks of american history. Reading the Gettysburg Address right at the Lincoln Memorial was a moment to remember, for sure. And at the Vietnam and Korea memorial walls we stood a minute in silence to honor the men fallen in these wars. Then we went right to the white house. It seemed so much smaller then in the news reports, and it was amazing to see it with my own eyes. Unfortunately, due to all the terrorist threats and the upcoming Iraq intervention, the area around the White House was barricaded and thus gave an distracting sight on this wonderful historical landmark. The next day we went to Arlington Cemetary, to see the grave of John F. Kennedy and to witness the change of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was frozen cold, but well worth it. A silent moment at the everburning flame, and silent respect for the fallen as well for the U.S. Marines, who fulfilled their duty peerless up at the Tomb. Later on we went to Alexandria, to visit Marianna's old stomping grounds and to celebrate her birthday stylefully at the Il Porto Italian restaurant. On the way back at the local Hats in the Belfry I got me a black leather Fedora hat, suiting my black leather coat amazingly. A visit to Capitol Hill ended our trip to Alexandria - what a day in a great town.
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On our third day we drove up via Maryland to Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to visit Marianna's sister and her family. We had a wonderful time, and curiously everybody inquired about the ‚Stranger from Germany'. As we left the next day, I was not a stranger anymore. We drove down the Penn'a Turnpike and passed the New Germany National Park, as we finally arrive in the state which to visit I anticipated so much: West Virginia.
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After a sightseeing tour to the Mountaineer Field, home of the West Virginia Mountaineers, and the city center of Morgantown, we found a nice place called the Eurosuites and decided to spend the night there. In the evening we went to Wings and had our share of ‚hot' food. Whew, its a nice sensation when your mouth comes back to life and you realize that ist not a bean burrito but your tongue swollen in your mouth. On the next day we took a trip to see the West Virginia University, located in Morgantown just the same. Marianna's mother, her sister and herself studied here, and so the visit was filled with anecdotes and memories of past times. I was amazed by the the wealth of living history connected to the buildings, and the sights around the campus. Around noon we made our way south. We passed Sutton, WV, where a part of Marianna's family originates from. We had a look at the lovely village, and as well drove down to enjoy a moment of quietness at Sutton Lake. On the way back we did visit her grandparents, who found their last peace on the Sutton cemetary hillside.
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I was welcomned with open arms as we arrived at Marianna's hometown. It was amazing, for felt like coming home to a home I had never been to. Later on, as we enjoyed a great dinner, I met friends of the family and we had wonderful talks - getting to know the differences as well as the common things of american and german social life. We talked into the late hours and then went for a long and envigorating sleep. After a hearty breakfast (Eggs Bernadette) we went to the United Methodist Church of Madison for sunday's service. It was a wonderful service with great music, a thoughtful sermon and an informative testimony of a fellow Methodist preacher. Marianna and I walked back home after the service, and as we arrive a lot of the Lyon and Rudolph family arrived already: Over 20 people got together to meet this ‚German stranger'. I passed every test and had a wonderful day. As well I tasted a lot of family specialties, which suited fine to my 5000-calories-a-day-diet ;) After breakfast on the next day we made our way up to Charleston, WV, the state capitol. We took a stroll at the local mall, then went "walmart'en" and took a dive into Target, my shopping paradise. Back in Madison, we took an extended walk around the area and enjoyed a nice evening home. On the third day we bid Marianna's parents farewell and checked in into Charleston's Marriot, where we booked a room with a wonderful view - righ on the 8th floor overlooking the city of Charleston. In the evening we met Susan and Bruce at Joe Fazio's Italian Restaurant, a big windowless square-room located in the business district of Charleston that had the finest italian food I ever tasted. The garlic bread alone would have been worth the visit, but the salads and the 'al forno' meat dishes engraved this visit deep in the memory of the taste buds. Mhmmmmmm!
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The next morning we had breakfast at Bob Evans, well known for the hearty Meat Gravy and Bisquit breakfast - just my way to start a day. My Tip: If you never had a Taco Salad at Bob Evans you do not know what it does to you - just find out yourself and send me a greeting card later on ;). After coming back into the State of Virginia, the Lover's State(tm), we drove up further northeast thru the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. You won't believe it: Just amidst the valley, namely in Staunton, VA, we found the Edelweiss German Restaurant. Our Hostess Ingrid welcomned us with Pretzels and Root Beer, and we had a nice time sitting in that house made of Timber. As the evening sun kissed the valley, we continued our drive. A quick visit to the local Food Lion ended the day. As you can tell I enjoyed myself immensly, just see that smug expression in my face down here:
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So we were back to Leesburg, VA, and our day trips took us to Tysons Corner as well as to the Washington Memorial, the National Air & Space Museum and the ‚National Museum of American History'. The days passed like hours, and on the 16th at noon I had to get back on that plane, taking me back to Duesseldorf, Germany via Paris. But I'll be back. The ticket for November 8th, 2003, is already in my my pocket.
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While my 2001 travels were part of a spiritual process, the time spend in March 2003 was pure enjoyment. I met so many wonderful people, had deep and interesting conversations and got to know more of the culture and spirit of the U.S.A. Unfortunately those days were touched with the proceedings and preparations of the Iraq War, and french as well as german citizens were treated with a certain distance, that was not present as I travelled in 2001. But since about every 2nd family in the U.S. of A. has a german ancestor somewhere, this will just be a temporary effect. Basically I like the southern saying: "Now that you know your ways
around, The main purpose of my travels was fulfilled in whole, though: To get to know Marianna's family and friends - and to have a wonderful time, this time on her territory. These impressions I will carry with me forever, and the sights and experiences created a hunger for more. So expect more travel reports in the future. Essen, October 2003, Jens-Kristian Kiel [comment] on this travel diary or do a [guestbook entry] |
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(c) 2001-2002 JKK
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