by Annalie Jiang
Closing up on my last week of study abroad, I decided to reward myself with a post-exam journey to Strasbourg, just for a day. Most everyone I knew was either taking exams or leaving for the holidays so I decided to set off solo, armed only with a Google Maps printout of the city, a scarf, and some snacks.
Located on France’s eastern border with Germany, the Alsatian capital is most well-known for its choucroute and its Christmas markets, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to visit, even if it would mean some long hours cramped on the night bus. Although it was eight in the morning when I arrived, I was still struck by the peaceful streets of Strasbourg lined along the Ill River, an atmosphere so different from the one in Paris despite the high season for tourism. As I spent the day sightseeing and eating across town, I marveled not only at the Christmas lights and the cathedral (complete with astronomical clock), but also the merging of French and German influences in the city. I saw it everywhere-in the architecture of the covered bridges, the food and street names.
The Covered Bridges, with Notre Dame of Strasbourg in the background.
Street illuminated with holiday lighting.
Choucroute in a skillet.
This hybrid is not limited to only Strasbourg; my trip opened my eyes to the immense diversity of France, from Corsica and the Basque country in the south to Bretagne in the west and all the places in between. Upon my return I discussed with my host father the variety to be found in France and the United States; of course they have the incredible world cities of Paris and New York, but it’s important to wander a bit and see what lies beyond. Additionally, I realized that all of this diversity exists on such a small land, complete with different dialects and contrasting landscapes compacted into an area a little smaller than the size of Texas. Indeed, France has good reason to hold the honor of the most visited country in the world.