More Strasbourg pictures

Here's two more pictures I'd like to share...

All six of us on top of the cathedral

Then we decided to get a little higher...

Strasbourg is gorgeous!

I returned late last night from my adventure in Strasbourg. We arrived late Friday night, checked into our hostel, and found a restaurant that was open to grab some dinner. Then we wandered around a bit and first encountered the beautiful, massive cathedral. It was incredible at night and we couldn't wait to check it out the next day.

Saturday morning, the two groups (of three girls each, staying in different hostels) met up at the cathedral. We went inside and watched an interesting presentation on its giant astronomical clock and, at 12:30, watched it come to life. I've never seen anything like it in person!

Then we went on a boat cruise in Strasbourg's Ill river and canals which was fun and gave us a good idea of the layout of the city. We also spotted the buildings of the European Union Parliament.

With 6 girls on the trip, when we heard there was a chocolate museum we knew we couldn't pass it up. It was a trek to get there and kind of cheesy, but still fun and tantalizing to the senses! Afterwards we went to dinner where we all split dishes of spaetzle and tartes. Since Strasbourg has been part of both Germany and France throughout history, (currently French), there is a huge German influence in the food, the architecture, and the people. Spaetzle is kind of like a mix between mac & cheese and gnocchi, and tarte is like a thin crusted pizza.

After dinner we walked around the tourist district which is called Le Petite France and boasts some very cute half-timbered houses. Strasbourg doesn't quite boast the nightlife that Paris does, but we managed to find a fun bar to chit chat, dance, and people watch.

Sunday morning, we all met up at the cathedral again with lots of energy to climb to the top tower. Keep in mind, this was the world's tallest building from when it was finished in 1439 until 1874. Add that to a miniscule spiral staircase and you are really in for a treat. Luckily, it was totally worth it, we had the top to ourselves and it was a great view. We could even see Germany's black forest, which the Hansel & Gretel story is based on.

Then we headed to two mediocre museums, the Musee de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame and Musee des Arts Decoratifs. They were interesting at first but you can only look at so much medieval stonework and 18th century porcelain before things get redundant. By then it was about time to head out so we grabbed some hot chocolate and pretzels, took the tram to the train station and in two hours flat we were back in Paris.

Overall, it was a fun trip and a great start to my travels. Now I have a busy week ahead of me including French class, Paris Civilization class at the Cluny Museum, a visit to the Picasso museum, and a fondue party!  I have a few more great Strasbourg pictures that another girl took which I will post when she emails them to me!

I'm going to Strasbourg!

Next weekend (Feb 20-22) I am going with two friends to Strasbourg, in the Alsace region of France!  I'm very excited because the pictures look incredible and it will be great to see other parts of France besides just Paris.  Also, I booked a flight to Madrid for March 6-8 will be fun.  My roommate Kim from last semester is studying there so she will be my tour guide & hostess.  After taking so many years of Spanish, it will be my first time in a Spanish speaking country!

Today was my first day of class. It was basically a hurricane when I went outside, and still completely dark out when I got out of the metro around 7:30, so that's going to take some getting used to.  My building was very hard to find in the midst of hurricane-like weather, luckily I made it on time.  It's very very near Notre Dame and the famous bookstore Shakespeare & Co.  

My professor seems very kind, and there are only three Americans including myself in my class!  There are also students from China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Russia, Australia, and a few other places.  This will probably be great for learning the language because French will be our only common language-- no English in that classroom!

Then I had my Paris Civilization & Culture class which will be fun.  We learn about, and then go to Notre Dame, Musee du Cluny, the Louvre, the Pantheon, Musee d'Orsay, Opera Garnier, Montmartre, Saint Germain & the Latin Quarter, and Belleville, plus watch two French films.  I don't think it will be too hard, except that it will be alot of reading.  Also what better way to learn French & Parisian history than to actually experience it!?  

Thanks again for the comments everyone! I definitely love reading them.  The picture is of me and a friend in front of one of the many Sorbonne buildings.  If it's nice out tomorrow (doubtful) I'll take some of the building I have class in- it's tres chic!  Now off to do homework.