A grand tour with history

Alsace, a border region between Germany and France, has switched political allegiances multiple times in its history. In 1871, it was annexed into the German Empire. This explains why there are so many architectural reminders of the German occupation in Strasbourg - the capital of Alsace.

After World War I (during which a military hospital was housed in the palace right in front of me), Alsace became part of France again, only to be occupied by the Germans once more during World War II... Goodness.

Next to the palace, there are several former government and administrative buildings here, which are now used as theaters and libraries, among other things.

From the Place de la République, I'll take the tram past Wacken 🤘 to the European Parliament. Since 1979, Strasbourg has been the seat of the European Parliament. How wonderful it is that we are part of Europe and can travel so easily between countries!

I get off at Parc de l'Orangerie. Here I have a second breakfast: Croissant with apricots (the theme almost hit😁). I let my soul dangle and read - the weather is lovely today.

For lunch, I'm back on the Malraux peninsula for a quick snack at a vegan student café. Unfortunately, the quiche is rather mediocre and quite expensive (the prices were nowhere to be found beforehand).

With the tram, I go back to the hotel for a short break. It has become so warm that I change into shorts and sandals. Then I head back out: there's a small market at Kléber Plaza!

From there, I wander aimlessly through the city, searching for a café with a nice view to paint. I thought it would be easy to find, but it turns out it's not.

As I realize I'm becoming tired and grumpy, I stop for a snack and have half a Flammkuchen and pretzel chicken. Unfortunately, neither is very good - I've fallen into the tourist trap. Well, that’s part of it.

After another break at the hotel - thank goodness it's so centrally located! - I set out for dinner. I definitely want to end the day with a positive dining experience. So I decide on an absolute comfort food: Vietnamese rice noodles with tofu.

In the pedestrian zone near the hotel, I quickly find what I'm looking for and manage, together with the patient lady behind the counter, to place my order entirely in French (okay, 30% French, 70% sign language 😂). The food is very tasty, and I'm reconciled with life.

The door opens, and an old man comes out from the entrance right next to me. He addresses me and asks if I speak Italian (yes, a little).

He tells me in a mix of French and Italian, which I understand poorly, that he comes originally from Italy. Then he disappears and returns with a small sample of perfume that he gives me.

Well, you're surprised, right? This is how summer romances happen to me 🤣

I then move on to see the cathedral at night. So what can I say? The lighting is very environmentally friendly - it's actually nonexistent! So I brightened my evening with a scoop of ice cream - passion fruit, super tasty - and then I walked back to the hotel one last time today. Phew, that was a reading marathon for you!

Let's see if there's anything to report tomorrow; I've actually done everything on my wish list!