Strasbourg

I had a wonderful weekend in Strasbourg. Truly it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I would love to come back some day, although that might have to wait until I take a few French lessons. The canals were perfectly ordained with red and yellow trees on the land beside them and the French-German architecture was perfectly picturesque. The language flowed around us all weekend and it was a great time to appreciate that I was actually in France and having an incredible adventure.

French is simultaneously a beautiful language and sounds like it’s completely made up sounds. Attempting to use small French phrases all weekend really was a trip. Props to the TripAdvisor article that gave me important phrases to know, along with phonetically pronunciations. My friends and I literally sighed in relief when our waiter at a small café spoke German with us. I did not think I would ever expect to miss German as much as I did this weekend. While I struggle with it a lot, I really took for granted my skill and ease with the language. Everything I do every day in Germany from ordering food to listening comprehension was really hard in France. I went to the grocery store to get food and because I straight up had no idea what they said to me at the counter, I just handed them the biggest bill I had and hoped that would cover the cost, LOL. I sometimes really struggle to see my own improvement with German and I find myself thinking very frequently that I wish I were getting better quicker or I noticed larger strides. I now have a great appreciation for how far I truly have come and that is such a good feeling. I still don’t quite know what my plan is for life, or even for this year in Germany, but I do feel better knowing that I have in fact improved.

While I have technically been all over Europe before, I am finally really enjoying and thriving in what is essentially my first European adventure. I don’t have many memories of when my family lived in Ramstein, if any at all, so everything has been new and exciting. I cannot wait for Christmas markets to open here and for Rome, Italy in two weeks. I have a lot happening before going home for the holiday and I can’t wait to experience it all.

I hope everyone has a great week and a happy Thanksgiving back home. I am sad to be missing that one; it’s one of my favorites. Eat lots of turkey for me!

P.S. if you’d like to see Strasbourg pictures, most are on my Facebook page