Blogs from Alsace, France, Europe - page 22

Finally I've arrived in France and have the time and the access to internet to write my very first of many blog posts, which should be quite a bear, to say the least. In general, I hope to update you all at least once a week, on a to-be-determined day of the week; If you so choose, you can just automate the responsibility of checking my blog here by choosing to subscribe to the blog and letting the internet inform you when I have posted any new content. Thanks for your collective interest, I'll try to keep these relatively short (excluding this one) and entertaining! Some background on the trip: I arrived in Berlin 13 days early to join all the other study abroad students on a journey through Central Europe. We stopped at Berlin, Wroclaw ... read more

Strasbourg is beautiful and looks like a little gingerbread town. It’s surrounded by the River Ill and is made up of some many pretty little, half wooded houses. Unfortunately the weekend we arrived was a long weekend in France so the place was packed. After much pushing and shoving we went on a boat tour around the city which was a great introduction. Like many other cities in France, Strasbourg was constructed in such a way to prevent invasion. So much so that they were able to manage the water levels of the river to prevent enemy boats from sailing in (see the picture of the gated bridge) and created locks to move up and down different levels of the river. While on the cruise you go through two locks. The boat squeezes into this tiny ... read more

Brian set off to get tyres fitted. Calum and I went back into Strasbourg and spent a few fantastic hours at Le Vaisseau a Science and Technology museum for children. Got into big trouble on the train on the way back for not validating the train ticket before travelling, the excuse ‘I didn’t know I had to’ wasn’t cutting with the (jobsworth) guard until a young French speaking Irishman came to my rescue! Back at the campsite, Calum met a couple of French boys on holiday and they have been playing on the bikes, at the park and with the Nintendo DS’s. Will stay another day and make plans. Decided to drive to Italy then ferry to Greece and into Turkey, Lewis has just told us that things are not well in Greece and there are ... read more

Travelled to Molsheim to spend a couple of days exploring Strasbourg. Bought a book called ‘French Passion’ which lets you stay free on farms, vineyards etc. (the deal is really that you support the establishment by buying some of their produce). Arrived at Cave Kaes in the centre of Molsheim, after Monsieur Alphonse (who spoke no English but had all the French gesticulations) had some cars moved and managed to guide/manoeuvre Brian and van through the narrow courtyard into his yard beside the dog, cats and a couple of horses. After a glass of wine with our host we set out to explore the town. ... read more

Geo: 48.1667, 7.29707Having established that the shop next to our little apartment was a boulangerie, the big kids went off with 5 Euro and enough French to buy 2 croissants and 2 baguettes! Success! They returned with huge smiles and explained that the lady in the shop spoke no English, but they had bought the bread without any hassles (and with only some sign language!)and with lots of smiles. They were so proud of themselves, and we were equally proud. This is why we came!Off to Haut Koenigbourg, a nearby castle that we could see towering over the vineyards. (we stopped briefly on the way to the castle to photograph the storks nesting in the town of Ribeauville.) The castle stands on a hill almost 800 metres above the surrounding area, so the views from the ... read more