A weekend in Alsace

This past weekend was a 4 day weekend in France (when I asked my boss why she said "because this is France" haha) After much deliberation and frustration I decided on going to Alsace, the part of France that is closest to Germany.

On Thursday morning I had a bit of time to hang out around town so I went around to some of the sights in Nantes, to a large cathedrale and to a chateau. They were both very pretty and stricking. There is also this place called Ile de Versaille that is just a little island in the middle of the river t you can take a bridge to and there are pretty gardens, etc. Very nice indeed.

Then it was off to Strasbourg. The train that I took went straight there, so it was fairly simple and took about 5-6 hours, not awful. I left the train station (which looks like a giant bubble that smeone sat on) in search of my hostel. I found it fairly easily, it was pretty close to downtown, left my things in the room and set off to explore. I was happy because I was in a dorm room, but no one else was in it that night.

The streets of Strasbourg center around one main canal, a very picturesque view. (My contact for coming here, Dominique, told me it is the plus belle ville de France) All of the buildings there have so much character, painted with a myriad of colors. I thought that I could live there. I just started walking in he direction of crowds then, deviating from the group whenever I thought appropriate. There were lots of stores to wander in and out of as well as lots of good people watching. I had a nice tartine with vegetables that was pretty delicious, having a puff pastry crust and filled with a quiche-like eggy filling along with mushrooms, spinach, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, and thyme. Very delicious.

I went to the Alsatian Museum when I found it next. It was a good place to learn about the history of Alsace through their art and cultural relics. They had old stoves, pottery, clothing, beds, etc. that were all very intricately decorated in floral-like spidery patterns. So many bright and beautiful colors! I also saw the part of town called 'Little France'. It was adorable! Just a bunch of homes and stores and restaurants on a part of the canal with a lock. When I was walking through there was a guy who was kayaking on the wake of the lock!

I also went to the Cathedral in Strasbourg. It was a massive place with delicate and beautiful stained glass lining the walls and candles everywhere, as in most European cathedrals. The thing that was special about this one was that there was this enormous clock in the front. On the half hour it chimes and the apostles do a dance..very cool. I couldn't help but wonder...why the half hour and not the hour? Unsolved mystery... I went outside the, a bit on the warm side and hungry. So I got sorbet from the nearest stand. It was called Soleil Levant (rising sun) and was a rhubarb and lavendar flavor. Very possible the best sorbet I have ever had!

In Alsace one of the big foods is called tarte flambee. It is basically a really really really thin crust, white cheese, onions, and bacon. There are variations where you can add mushrooms or gruyere cheese, etc. Just about every restaurant had this. I sat down after a long day of walking and got the tarte flambee gratinee (the one with gruyere). Mmmmm!

I also got to go to Colmar in Alsace. It is a fair amount smaller than Strasbourg with the same sort of charm to the nth degree. I felt like I was in a fairytale medieval village waiting to find a dragon in a cave. Instead I found a collection of some of the coolest stores I have ever seen. I walkd into one of them and the owner immediately asked me if I wanted to taste before I had even figured out what kind of store I was in. I immediately said yes and then luckily figured out I was in a specialty oil and vinegar store. Fabulous! One by one she gave me tastes of various oils and vinegars: French pressed olive oil, Italian, basil infused olive oil (my favorite of the oils), tomato olive oil, truffle oils, balsamic vinegar (aged 16 years-mmm), cherry balsamic vinegar, fig balsamic vinegar, etc. So delightful and delicious!

I had a lot of fun mostly with just walking around Colmar- I figured out that you could buy a decent place for about 150,000 euros- not too bad! I also went to the Unterlinden Museum. It was another museum that focused mostly on Alsatian history. It had a huge variety in its collection though! I saw everything from silverware to suits of armor. (ps. I have decided that suits of armor are probably the creepiest things on earth!) For lunch I sat down at a cafe and had lamb kebabs with roasted potatoes and a salad. Mmm!

I also went to "Little Venice". It was an adorable little area of town where the streets were lined with flowers, cobblestone streets and the restaurants backed up to a canal. An enchanting sort of place. There were men playing the classic instruments of Venice and many a German tourist taking pictures. I had lunch at this place on the canal and had a tarte a l'oignon, another Alsatian specialty. Invision French Onion Soup meets the best quiche you have ever had! I was very much impressed!

It was then time to return home, an easy trip on the train and I was back in Nantes. I was very happy when I got back because a French lady actually asked ME for directions! :-) Maybe I'm becoming slightly acclimated. Pictures are to come soon when my camera cord gets here. (Thanks Mom!)