A most relaxing day spent wandering the central lanes and alley ways of this beautiful city. Much of it still appears to be so perfectly middle ages as to come from a Hollywood set. Not sure if there are laws here to ensure that the look and flavour of the architecture is preserved when buildings are renovated, but the city fathers should be congratulated for keeping the best and not running excessively with glass sky sky-scrapers to celebrate Strasbourg's status as capital city of Europe---if only they would get that bridge over from Germany spruced up---see my comments of yesterday.
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| Anyone for a snack? |
Certainly a looser, more relaxed (ie. less teutonic) atmosphere on this side of the Rhine, more chaotic and typically French. So many enticing restaurants, so little time to enjoy them all. Note the absence of low- end merchandise in the store windows--everything is so attractively packaged and presentation, especially in the food and confectionery categories is an art form. Prices for most consumer goods seem considerably higher than in North America, even with the weakened Euro.
Disappointment of the day: my visit to the 'Quartier Europeen' to visit the European Parliament buildings and to sign up for a tour. Duly presented myself at the guichet and was firmly told that only approved groups with photo ID could be admitted. End of venture. Sauntered back along the grand avenues, noting all the embassies and Mercedes with chauffeurs waiting outside to take madame's dog to the beauty parlour!
Miles of canals twisting through the city add to the allure. A photographers and artists paradise.
Type of overnight lodging: Colmar Hotel--what a dump!
Cost of lodging: 42.50E
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