Shared Illusions

in every long trip when something is awry. Tension ensues. That day, okay, make that two days, occurred Friday and Saturday,  the 20th and 21st. Strasbourg is already inundated with tourists, and it’s a much larger and busier city than we anticipated. It was also really hot! Lack of research. Hasty decisions. I had a strong visceral dislike for Strasbourg. Yet, there were many interesting things about it.

Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliment and the Rights of Man. It’s also one of the four capitals of the European Union, along with Brussels,  Luxembourg,  and Frankfurt.

Both of these buildings are huge. How many employees? What could they all possibly be doing? Where’s the money coming from to pay all those salaries? Not to mention upkeep.

Strasbourg at night…

We got away from the city by taking the tram to a park with a side trip to see a Russian orthodox church.

Also took a train to what was supposed to be a smaller town, but was actually pretty big and crowded, although the old town was beautifully intact. But it was so touristy we didn’t stay long.

La Fête de la Musique on the 21st provided some good entertainment. We heard three good bands.

Also discovered an underground jazz “cave”.

I was very glad to leave Strasbourg and felt trepidation about Nancy. Thankfully it’s so much calmer and open.