Strasbourg and Germany !!!

This past weekend our program took us to Strasbourg and Germany. We left bright at early (at 7:45) on Saturday morning, and returned late Sunday night. A big group from our school went and the best part about the trip, in my opinion, was getting to know all the people just a little bit better. We had so much fun with all our fellow classmates, laughing, joking, and just enjoying our time together. The dynamic is so different when no one has access to a cell phone, and we are all as out of place as those standing next to us.
We took the train from Paris to Strasbourg, which was about a 3 hour trip. We were all so exhausted from the soccer game the previous night that we slept. I wish I could have stayed awake to see the gorgeous scenery, but I was exhausted and needed so well deserved rest. 

We had a tour guide named Pierre-John and he was HILARIOUS. He was Parisian, but his sense of humor in English was amazing. He kept us laughing the entire trip and was witty and sarcastic. Usually those don't translate well with the language barrier but he was great.

We arrived in Strasbourg and a bus picked us up to drive to the Hotel, but unfortunately the rooms were not ready for us yet. We all placed our bags in the luggage room and then went off with Pierre-John to explore the city. We were given about an hour to go off and enjoy lunch, and then met back in the main square for a walking tour of the city. It started raining and being the super Parisians that we are, we of course had our umbrella's ready to go.

All the buildings were super adorable and quaint. It seriously looked like Disneyland. Every building was a different color, with various shades of shutters. The majority of my photographs from the weekend are of the buildings just because they were so interesting and beautiful. 

My favorite buildings were those with the flowerpots on the windowsills. They were so gorgeous and it made me happy to see. I really would like to have a garden when I get back to the states. 

Strasbourg is filled with just amazingly adorable streets, buildings, and plants. This was one of my favorite alleyways in the heart of the town. The archway was covered with plants, and all throughout the city the streets were made of cobblestones. 

In the main square of the city there is a giant cathedral. It was just as spectacular as those in Paris. I loved all the details, and colors that were put into the building. 

After the walking tour we headed across town to a winery where we did a wine tasting. We had four different wines and were taught about all the different smells, regions, and tastes that are in each wine. There was also delicious cake, so I was happy.

 The leaves have started changing colors all throughout Europe which I find beautiful and unbelievable. Coming from Southern California, I feel I have never experienced the "seasons". Being in Europe, I'm finally getting a sense of fall. Orange leaves slowly dropping to the ground. Crisp cold air. The clouds covering the sky in a layer of blankets. I. LOVE. IT.










 Our school paid for us to have a really nice dinner which was delicious. We had appetizers, a main course, beer/wine, and then creme brulee for dessert. We finished dinner at around 9 and since we had taken naps earlier in the day we decided to go explore the city at night, potentially find a bar to sit and have a drink.

We finally found a cute little locals bar and about 8 of us girls just grabbed a table and had some solid girl talk. It was so much fun getting to know everyone outside of school and just acting like old friends, even though we've only known one another for 2 months. I seriously have met so many amazing people through this program that I hope to keep in contact with once we leave.

 

 

We stayed the night in Strasbourg in a "hotel". It was essentially just a really nice hostel. There were four to a room...but we only had three since Megan decided last minute not to come. We had bunk beds, our own sinks, and a private shower. It was nice and we all fell in love with the blankets. We seriously considered stealing them for back home.

In the morning we had breakfast (provided by the hotel) and then hopped on the bus for an hour drive to Germany!!!! We drove through the country side and it was gorgeous. I was taken aback by the simple beauty of the country. I listened to mellow music and just looked out the window thinking about how amazing it feels to be in Europe.

 We arrived in a small town called Titisee, which is in the black forest. We were given about an hour and a half to explore and just have fun. We took pictures, and walked around the town (which was extremely small). We considered renting a boat to take on the lake, but to be perfectly honest it was FREEZING and my desert blood was not prepared for the weather.

 Instead we decided to find a restaurant and grab some lunch. None of us were really that hungry, but "when in Germany...". Unfortunately it was too early to grab a beer. I decided to order an authentic Bratwurst! It was delicious and filling. Eventually we tried a pretzel and other German sweets.





After Titisee we went to the town of Freidburg which is also in Germany. Our group went on a walking tour and saw the amazing cathedral and adorable houses in the city. We then hopped back on the bus and drove back to Strasburg where we had a boat tour. At this point we were all exhausted and really just wanted to be "home" aka Paris. The boat tour was about an hour long and most of us spent it playing peek-a-boo with a baby sitting in the front of the boat.
Prior to our ride, Mackenzie (my roommate) dropped her ring into the Ill river. Our tour guide (who didn't go on the ride) spent the entire time trying to figure out a way to get the ring out of the river. When we returned he had a metal coat hanger and told one of the boys in our program that he was to hop the fence, and use the hanger as a hook to catch the ring. Unfortunately, it was extremely difficult because the wall was sloped and the water went right to the edge. Billy, another gent in our program, held onto Colin's arm and lowered him near the water.

Eventually Mackenzie got her ring back, and now we all have a funny story/funny pictures of Colin.

All in all a very fun yet tiring weekend!!! I can't wait to travel more and more, especially in December with Maxwell!!!