Reminiscences once more!

I want to digress once-in-a while. Travelling is one of my passions, but  have not done so this year so I experience some melancholy. I am posting some old shots from Strasbourg, France, to pacify the wandering spirit. In doing so, I relive some experiences and was able to recall the scenes so vividly. I even remember the slightest of puns and fun.

My companion here was a lady from Croatia, who was my constant companion while we were there. We walk through small streets, took the cruise in La Petite France and we also laughed so well. We also ate a very big sandwich at the above restaurant with a wonderful cup of hot coffee, something so welcome after a long walk in a cold weather. She is a plant scientist and a member of the UPOV or International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties.

 La Petite France with a lot of tourists, cafes and small souvenir stores. At the right is the famous Cathedral, built in a span of four centuries, 1015 to 1439. Housed inside is the 18-meter high astronomical clock, which is one of the tallest in the world, and a fine example of Swiss artistry. I have already posted that old clock in a previous post.  
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 It looks like a lazy day and people leisurely walk around. Some old ladies like those at the left seem to be just living here, or locals. This paved concrete is already newly constructed, as older ones have cobble stones like those in front of the cathedral.

Croissants are my favorite even in my own country. So that is what i got with a cup of coffee while waiting for my boarding time at the above gate, F34. Charles de Gaule International Airport is so vast viewed from the air, and reaching this gate took me a long walk using conveyor belts, detour walks and stairs. Whew, it is good i have more time spared before boarding, to contemplate on so many things. And i realized i should have extended my stay for at least even just a week.

I have been to Paris, but was not even able to get close to the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. I saw only a two meter Eiffel Tower viewed from inside the plane coming here to Strasbourg. On the way out was a cloudy day and I can't get a better view. Well, hope on all hopes, to visit this  place again in this lifetime! Miracles do happen sometimes, i hope this is one of them!

Still in Strasbourg

We attended a one week seminar on Patents jointly organized by the European Patent Office, European Patent Academy and held at the Institut Europeen Entreprise et Propriete Intellectuelle, Strasbourg, France. Our venue is also at the building of the International Space University, a university for astronauts. We are free to see the surrounding areas only after the session, which was at 4:30pm. We always hurry to board the train from school to the center of Strasbourg, and walk hurriedly to cover more grounds. We took the cruise to see wider areas in a short time, but it was already dusk and taking pictures of landscapes and buildings was already difficult. 

 I am at the hotel when i took the above photo, showing the Louis Pasteur University at the background (the round building). 

Monoprix is at the center of the 3 buildings. I've read somewhere that "when French is not your first language, every visit to a French supermarket is like walking into a three-dimensional visual dictionary"! I am glad we did not have to enter it, we just tried buying some small items at the Galleries de Lafayette, to bring home as presents.

 I love seeing blooming plants on sidewalk fences at the center of Strasbourg, however, i don't know the ID of this plant.

 This is the famous revolving bridge. Pedestrians about to cross the bridge have to wait for the bridge to be put back in place, while a boat is still passing under it, and tourists like us watched the scene in total amazement and amusement!

The photoabove shows the tourists on the boat passing under the bridge's location, while the pedestrians above them on the pavement wait for the bridge for them to go the other side. I love the idea of the revolving bridge!

A fountain is prominently located, where most of the cruises pass by.

Some foreign lands: Strasbourg

Strasbourg, France is an old place of the known Alsace region, which was able to preserve the many old buildings and architectures of history. It is reported to be the place where culturally, "French and German collide". The architecture is distinctly German, even the dishes are German but written in French. The Ill River winds through the city hosting many cruise tours. This is also one of the best areas in France when it comes to delectable cuisine, 

I've been able to walk its major streets a few years back, and joined one of its canal cruises. Day and night scenes are also beautiful and really  gave a lot of contrasts. 

La Petite France Cathedral's courtyard 

La Petite France is said to be Strasbourg's prettiest and most enchanting neighborhood. It is where the city's millers, tanners and fishermen used to live during the Middle Ages. It was named so by its former German inhabitants not for its architecture, but for the prostitutes working there during those times. In Germany, prostitution was known at that time as "the French business". The courtyard now hosts the city's immensely popular Christmas market. 

a small busy street in La Petite France, Strasbourg

the famous Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral is one of Europe's most beautiful example of gothic architecture. The stunning pink sandstone facade is quite unique and breathtaking. The famous circa-1800 astrological clock is inside, where intricate carvings captivate. The cathedral's construction spanned for centuries, from 1015 to 1439. It gets its special pink hue from Vosges sandstone used to build it. The cathedral is also a hub of activity, with shops and restaurants nearby.

the astronomical clock

This is the famous 18-meter high astronomical clock, one of the tallest in the world and a fine example of Swiss artistry that dates from 1843.

picturesque old buildings half made of timber along the canal

one of the closed bridges crossing one of the canals

This is a very old building formerly used as a tannery, now used as a restaurant. 
The marker is on the right side not seen at this angle

an inside alley in Strasbourg commercial area at dusk, they said the

 middle black building is the oldest in this stretch

ornamental peppers on breakfast tables at Holiday Inn, Strasbourg