John back this evening……Aleur….we were up pretty early for European style breakfast at the Hilton – everything from bacon, sausage, eggs to pancakes, cereals, fruit to breads, cheese, and cold cuts and other assorted items. This is a Hilton, so we were missing the Café Au Lait and had to settle for Café Americano. Speaking of breakfast, we have found hotel stays here in France typically do not include breakfast as most in other countries we have traveled.We took the tram (electric train) to town – quick and quiet. Strasbourg is a large city so when I speak of town I’m referring to the old city center which is circled by the Ill River.
It is a beautiful old city with a maze of narrow streets and filled with shops and cafes. The walk always included a view of the central tower of the Notre Dame cathedral rising over 400 feet.
We did some shopping, actually Carol did some shopping, and then found a cute café where we shared a delicious Quiche Lorraine and Beer lunch. We read that the most ‘romantic’ way to see Strasbourg was to cruise the Ill River so following lunch we joined the crowds to purchase tickets. The boat was a large well kept flat-bottomed boat seating 144 and we opted for an open air version for which we were extremely grateful.
We were concerned that this might be just another tourist thing and not really worth it. Instead this 75 minute cruise was so very rewarding. We slowly cruised around the old central core of Strasbourg past grand old buildings, outdoor canal-side cafes, many historic bridges, two locks that raised us and lowered us by about 7 feet each time, and many green spaces with people enjoying the sunny day looking at us looking at them.
Our big surprise on the cruise was the dramatic views of the European Parliament Buildings and Grand Meeting hall. This region, including the city of Strasbourg, has been destroyed and rebuilt after both WW1 and WW2. At some points in history the area was German, then France, and finally following WWII, it was reclaimed by France as it remains today. Because of this history it seemed particularly fitting that Strasbourg is the site of the new European Union of peace and cooperation.The rest of the boat story is best told in pictures except for Carol’s experience while queuing up to board the boat. We arrived 10 minutes early and the line was already in place. As we took our place in line a German couple got behind us and then a lot more people, some properly in line and some trying to cut in. That’s when this well-endowed German gal behind Carol, with no sense of personal space, began pushing forward against Carol. Let’s just say she was ‘generously endowed’ and her body parts were literally pressed against Carol’s back! Between ‘these’ and her large purse knocking Carol in the back of the legs, Carol was constantly being pushed off balance and nearly tipping over. In fact she may have but there was no room to tip. It’s the kind of thing that makes you think “huh?” and “back-off Fraulein!” I’m kind of surprised Carol didn’t say that. In the end, the boat ride was just grand and we would highly recommend to anyone.
Everywhere we turned in Strasbourg and every other Alsace town there are brilliant flowering gardens, pots, windows, lamp posts, roadway dividers, and even bicycles.Our final stop in the old city was a tour of the beautiful medieval Cathedral Notre-Dame. The cathedral is built of rose colored stone and construction began in 1176. The huge and ornate pipe organ seemed suspended above the pews (chairs) and the stain glass was beautiful. We have seen many cathedrals in travels around Europe and find each to be interestingly unique. This was not as ornate and full of splendor as many in Italy but much more colorful compared to some we have seen in Germany.
Two friends about three years old sharing some time walking in Strasbourg.
The old town was full of activity today. A large bike race, titled ‘Alsace 2011’ came through and with it lots of support cars, and other activities. We heard a great group warming up on a newly set up stage and interpreted a sign announcing the cathedral would be illuminated each night during July. As we hopped the tram for the Hilton we talked about how great it would be to go back to see the cathedral lit and listen to the music, but we agreed we both wanted to rest and we would see the cathedral from the hotel window. Getting old? Maybe just more measured with our energy.
So for us a light dinner at the hotel – superb grilled shrimp appetizer with tomato and avocado relish and two interesting green salads followed by rhubarb sorbet (those of you from Minnesota can appreciate that). It was all very delicious.
Of course I always enjoy taking advantage of the free port at the executive lounge and then was ready for a good night’s rest.
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