Christmas Market in Strasbourg

Bonjour!

I felt that the Christmas market deserved its own post because it was something I had been really looking forward to as I've never been in France in December.  Strasbourg is known for its Christmas market in France and it didn't disappoint.  I had been to Strasbourg back in 2008 for a short weekend, so going back, especially in December, was an entirely new experience.  The city turns into the capital of Christmas, as it likes to call itself.  Each town square is transformed into a market selling regional products, or christmas decorations and/or presents, and food stands.

It really felt like the Christmas capital, especially at night with all of the lights!

Strasbourg is located in the region of Alsace, bordering Germany, and the architecture is one of my favorites in France.

Walking around after an amazing breakfast consisting of an expresso and a homemade twix bar.  Yes, you read that right, a homemade twix bar.  No photos because I inhaled it.

How much do I love the architecture with the dark brown on white?  A LOT.

As much as I love Christmas, I have to say that I was Christmas'ed out after this weekend.

One thing that I've become particularly fond of is vin chaud or hot wine.  Whenever I've spent time in France/Europe, I always arrived around the end of January, and never got to experience Christmas markets, which is why I made the 5 hour trip to Strasbourg.  However, you can find hot wine at any Christmas market in France, at any time of the day.  Made with mulled spices and served super hot, it is a more than welcome beverage when it's chilly outside! 

As for food I ate choucroute, an Alsacien specialty, which is basically like sauerkraut with sausage and pork, and it was so so  good!  Paired with a nice riesling, which is also from the region, and it was delicious to say the least. 

If you ever thought about visiting France, I would strongly suggest doing a day trip to Strasbourg or Colmar (where I plan to go during the February break), or anywhere in the region of Alsace (for the Christmas markets if you can!).

Catching up

Bonjour family & friends!

I know I haven't been keeping up with this as much as the last time I was here, so I thought I would just do a quick recap of what I've been up to.  I've been enjoying my time here in France for the most part, but have been much more sensitive to cultural differences this time than when I was here as a student, but that is something I'll save for another post.

I've been visiting, and re-visiting different parts of France, starting with Aix en Provence.  My trip to Aix en Provence marked my first time in the south of France.  It's a city known for its fountains, and known to the French for being very "bourgeois", meaning it's the "it" place to be and live.

They have their own version of the Champs Elysees called le cours Mirabeau, an avenue full of shopping and restaurants.

I visited Aix en Provence during my first break in October and the weather was perfect.  I've been keeping track of the weather there since my visit and have since been kicking myself wondering why I didn't choose the south of France for this program.

After Aix en Provence in the south, I visited Aix les bains, in Haute Savoie towards the Alpes.  Aix les bains is known for its thermal baths and lake Bourget.  It made me realise how much I miss being near the water, and reminded me a lot of my time in Annecy.  The Aixois (people from Aix) are very active, they ride their bikes everywhere and run along the lake, and I don't blame them, it's too pretty not to!

 Like a tourist, I took a boat tour around the lake, and it was breathtaking.  The water is so clear and calm, and with the Alpes in the background (like this picture below), it felt like a dream.

 As Aix les bains is known for its thermal hot springs, of course I had to go to one.  Of course you can't take picture inside of one without strange looks, so my friend Lizzie and I took one before going in.  We spent some time in a sauna and hammam, which I'm still not entirely clear on how they're different, they're both very hot.

The next stop after Aix les bains, was Annecy, where I studied in 2009, and it's probably my favorite place in France.  I visited my French mom that I stayed with now 7 years ago, and it also happened to be the weekend of the 13 november Paris attacks.  It was comforting to spend time with the only "family" that I have here half a world away, but it was a strange feeling trying to live life normally when there was so going on a few hours away.  We walked around the Annecy lake and old town, and again, I tried to take everything in before heading back to Saint Etienne where there is no lake or river.  

I've noticed that whenever there is a body of water, whether it's a lake or a river running through a city, people tend to live a more active lifestyle here.  There were people running, riding bikes, rollerblading and enjoying the outdoors in general, and I don't blame them! 

 In 2009

 Same pic, 6 years later!

Hoping to go back to Annecy very soon, either this month or next to visit my French mom again!