Strasbourg
When I arrived in Strasbourg the sentiment was bittersweet. I was super stoked to prowl around and discover a new city but I was also a little sad because it was the last stop on my French (and Swiss) journey. But I made it count. Strasbourg was AWESOME! Its got a great German fairytale feel to it, with tons of colorful little houses, each boasting flower boxes and timbered façades, lining tranquil canals and city squares.
There is an immense Cathedral in the center of town with ornate detailing that gives Notre-Dame de Paris a run for her money (bitch better watch out) and to top it off, there is this crazy cool astronomical clock inside. Every day, at 12:30pm, 12 disciples, 2 cherubs, 1 Jesus, 1 rooster, and 1 skeleton with a stick, pop out of little holes in the clock and move around!
I spent hours strolling through the charming cobblestone streets and along the tree lined canals. I even walked to Germany! It took about 3 hours (turns out the border isn’t as close as I thought) but I walked across the bridge that traverses the Rhine River, connecting Strasbourg to Kehl, and took my first steps on German soil.
My hostel was absolutely phenomenal and I roomed with a Quebecois dude, a Japanese dude, and a dude who was always asleep when I came back to the room (I call him Sleeping dude). Very clean, fun bunk beds, a big shower, and maid service! On my last evening I decided to go to a traditional Alsatian Winstub (pronounced like “vin-shtoob”) for a hearty and relaxing meal. I marched in the rain towards a tiny restaurant (only about 7 tables) called Coin aux Pucelles and sat next to an Alsatian guy and his Japanese girlfriend who warmly welcomed me as a third member of their party. It turned out to be one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. The Alsatian (Antoine) told me what was good on the menu, helped me cut and consume my bone marrow, and was constantly offering me tastes of his own meal, everything from his Alsatian beer, to his crème brulée. The three of us chatted long into the night about Obama, Alsatian history, the great international airport terminals of Europe, and the prospect of playing wind instruments on desert islands. I ate a wonderful terrine of some kind of fatty bird liver (listen, when it comes down to it, a lot of birds have super tasty livers) served along side crisp white and violet cabbage in a light vinegar dressing, followed by a juicy, tender entrecôte of beef served with golden, buttery-crisp Alsatian potatoes. For dessert I had a chilled chocolate mousse laced with surprise ribbons of smooth caramel, topped with hazelnuts and fresh sweetened whipped cream. I really wanted to make sure that all of the leading contributors to cardiac arrest were adequately represented. The next and final morning of my journey, I had my coffee and read my Le Monde at a charming outdoor café with a view of the lovely pastel houses and the tranquil waters of the canal below.
The train ride home was a breeze and now I’m adjusting back to life in Nantes. With one minor alteration: No Grève. A report of the elusive and undiscovered academic side of my “study” abroad experience is soon to come…
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