All the Paris train stations are ornate, lots of art nouveau. There was a train to Strasbourg a short while later and we were on our way. The train was comfortable. The seats were bright orange and purple. I kept myself busy by learning French words.
The Strasbourg station was a glass disc, kind of like a red blood cell. Strasbourg is a smallish place, with two canals of L´ill running through it from the Rhine and forming an island. We stayed just North of the island, nearer to the station and right by one of the bridges. We were a block from St Pierre church, a pick church with green roofing.
We arrived at midday and stepped out into a surprisingly cold wind. It was actually cold somewhere. This is the first time I would wear my jacket out. It was a pity I was still in thongs. We found the hostel easily. It was clean and new, with stylish green walls. The bedrooms were similarly nice. A good price, with breakfast and towels included. I noticed a few young people (high school age) walking around. In the lobby I noticed more.
First we needed food. We set off across the river, walking towards the main square. There was a large cathedral in the centre. Around it were tourist shops inside of old buildings. We picked up soon that Strasbourg was tourist town. It was touristy like the main square of Prague, but much more so. It was a lot like Venice, actually, mixed with disney land.
And teenagers. Everywhere. Many of them maybe 12 or 13. Karen had told us earlier about the whole ´euroteen´ invasion when we were in London. But here I really noticed it. German and French speaking kids filled the square. Every wall and corner. It was insane. There were also quite a few well dressed and very attractive French men. Cold weather = scarfs, jackets, sweaters (some of my favourite male attire). They were fun to watch.
All said and done though, touristy for a good reason. The old houses were so beautiful. They had been preserved in a time capsule. Roses lined the window boxes. Vines covered the walls.
There were interesting touches. Like the Jules Vern carousel, complete with hot air balloon and submarine.
And Jew Street.
We walked around to find some take away food that wasn´t pork sausage. There was a bakery. They had open bagguette pizzas. We sat in a rose garden to eat, while behind us sat a large beer barrel.
We were fed and looking to be tourists. We walked around took photos of absolutely everything.
Passing by windows, our attention was caught by a upside down muffin the size of my head, covered in nuts. It was called a Kuggelhoff. They sold Kuggelhoff trays and mold and recipe postcards. We wanted one, but had to wait for our stomachs to empty again.
We walked further and again took photos of every building. Every building asked to have its photo taken. We stopped at a stall in a small square. Josh really wanted a pretzel. Big pretzel, like a salt covered bagel. we polished it off before we left the square.
We reached the south canal. This is where river tours leave from. I had wanted to do the river tour, maybe early the next morning. The far bank held more houses. Their facades looked like iced cakes.
Then we weren´t sure what to do with ourselves. There was a palace, Palais Rohan, near by, but it didn't interest us. We wandered near the palace walls, where there was a fountain like looked like an abstract elephant. Then we were stuck again. Good thing the hostel gave us a booklet on things to do in Strasbourg. We decided to check out the breweries and modern art museum the next day.
So we followed the river west towards the damn and Petit France. What the surreal place. the old tanners and millers area by the river. Immaculate buildings that would put any postcard to shame. They shone. Their reflections danced on the sleeping river.
We weaved back through the streets by the cathedral. Up to the hostel where we noticed a sign. Crepe party. Tuesdays and Thursday. I was curious as to the nature of this crepe party. It was a party where they makes crepes, then you eat them. Sounds like my kind of party. I had crepes and jam for dinner that night. Viva la Crepe!
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