Friday, November 26, 2010

Capitale de Noel!



























Well- I'm still too tired to do both an update from tonight and a blog about our day in Avignon, so you'll have to wait just a few more days for that one! But, I will give you the scoop on Strasbourg!

Amy and I left at 12h35 (from Lyon) and arrived in Strasbourg at 17h36 (5:36pm). We both sat on the aisle (so, we were next to each other, but with the aisle between us) and got some good napping/reading/music listening in during our 5 hour train ride. It was nice to not have to do anything after our big Thanksgiving day. And, after my first nap, I woke up to a winter wonderland! I felt like I had woken up on the polar express it was snowing so much. It got us both very excited for our final destination...the only annoying part of the train trip was sitting behind a young, and very lovey couple. I don't think I've ever seen people go at it in such a public place in my life... and for 5 straight hours at that! I guess they were excited about getting to Strasbourg too....

We went straight to our hotel to check in/add more layers, which was very easily found from the train station (literally across the street). The man checking us in gave us a map and suggested places for us to eat dinner. We went off in search of the Cathedral, lights, and food.

We passed by the big Christmas tree and thought that it was going to be lit up at 7... so we waited around a bit and realized it wouldn't be lit until tomorrow night. However, we walked a few blocks further and saw that Santa Clause was being "called" to light the town's Christmas lights. We wanted to wait, but were cold and hungry, so we went to find dinner (we figured the lights would still be on when we were done!).

We found a cute little restaurant, nicely decked out in Christmas balls and cherubs... I had escargots (snails, yumz) and a tarte flambee (kind of looked like pizza, but had cream, ham, and cheese on top, it was pretty good too). Amy had a steak and we both got desert (creme brulee for her, apfelstrudel for moi, both amazing). After feeling a little warmer and much more full, we headed back out into the cold to see more lights. It was beautiful! There are lights everywhere! It's a little kid (and ours) Christmas dreamland.

Tomorrow, we will be hitting up as many Christmas markets as possible (there are several spread all over the city and with different themes to some). We will be trying vin chaud (hot wine), soft pretzels, gindergbread, and more. So exciting!!!!

Enjoy the pictures:)
Reste cool!

1 comment: