Day 6 - Strasburg, May 14

Morning view.
I very much appreciate this use of the riverbank.

I got changed to the easy group but Andrea had to stay in a different group.  Some people she knew were in it so that helped but not so much fun without your partner there.  Our group had taxis to take us to the buses over by a hotel beside the bridge over the Rhine to Strasbourg as we had docked in Kiel, the German city.

Certainly seems strange to change countries without any guards, passports or delays.

Had a very interesting guide and trip into the city.  Saw many new buildings and sites that are very important now as Strasburg has an important role in the UI.  Sorry, no history lesson here.

Also fun to see a long street with stork nests on the top of every tree and each nest occupied.  If you want the stork to leave a boy baby you leave one piece of sugar out and two pieces for a girl baby.

Driving into the main part of town.

 Approaching the main square.  Our bus was allowed to go to the end of one of  the bridges leading into the main city centre and we just had to walk a few blocks through a neighborhood like this.  There were a lot of hotels, cafes and gift shops near the main square.

And then you approach the cathedral - Notre Dame de Strasburg.

You have to have a rose window like the one in Paris.

 And the tall spire.

 But this one only has the one because the two architects each died before the building was completed.  Being on an island, the soil was not very contusive to a heavy building so they must continually monitor it to ensure it is not sinking and that it remains level. 

And a sign of modern times and concerns.  They did disappear before the Ascension Day church service started.

A series of statutes on the front that I enjoyed.  The foolish young man tempting the women beside him who are removing their clothes and such.  The other side of the door Has Christ and the wise virgins who waited for him.

Buildings around the square and the very, very popular timbered buildings.

A very popular spot with some young families -- a two level merry-go-round in Gutenberg Square, just one block over from the Cathedral.  Apparently his type pieces had been developed in Strasburg before he moved to Mainz and printed his Bible.

 The modern and the old.  To reduce car traffic the city lengthened the time for red lights and reduced parking spaces and increased tram service and reduced the price and provided lots of bicycle parking at the small terminals.  With public transportation readily available, frequent, modest prices and accessible terminals it seems a great incentive to use it.  Not like here where we are focused on what the car drivers want.

Had plenty of time for shopping and did find some lovely things.  At least I think they are!  Bought a top for myself that Rhonda, a lady we met from just outside Calgary, really admired.  She and her husband, Bernie, are on a 5 week visit to Europe with a carry-on each.  The two women (Andrea and Rhonda) were well known on the boat for their laughter.

Pickup was at the same place by St. Nicholas church beside the bridge into that point of the city.  Some more newer and old buildings to hear about on the bus back to Kiel where our taxis were waiting for us.

 

One thing to be noted is that some things and preconceived notions about nationalities never change.  Strasburg is extending the tram system to join up with the system in Kiel.  The next step is to be completed in late June.  The German side is done and the French side has the materials delivered.  The French guide remarked that the French side will probably be several months past the due date.

Glad to get back "home".  Our room is the left hand one between the two red banners on the top level.

 And this was waiting for us with one on each bed.

I had had it for the day and settled onto the bed to stay.  Andrea and a waitress brought me my supper down – a twice backed potato with a slice of bacon wrapped around it and cheese in the middle and assorted toppings with a small fryer basket of onion rings.  This was from the light meal in the Aquavet Lounge upstairs.  Apparently they had a marvelous pork meal in the restaurant downstairs but I didn’t care.  Also had two desserts – a white formed pudding (Panna Cotta) served with a raspberry sauce and also a freshly made raspberry sorbet.  That made up for the smallish meal.
 

Enjoyed the television for the evening.  Mostly used for the day, time, weather and to watch the bow camera when we were moving. Have to have some news while we are away but nothing ever said about Canada, of course.  Maybe that is a good thing.  And can always knit.