A beautiful day in Strasbourg. Strasbourg is the capital city of the Grand Est region, formerly Alsace. It’s also the formal seat of the European Parliament and sits near the German border, with culture and architecture blending both German and French influences. It’s Gothic Cathedral Notre-Dame is incredible with the spire reaching 142m. It also has an astronomical clock which is one of the best I have seen. And I found a dedicated gluten free cafe and bakery!
Today was a transfer day from Valerie’s home by car to Luxembourg to collect my bike from Susanna and then ride to the train station to take two trains to Strasbourg.
Today was a day of solution finding. The trip from Luxembourg to Metz was easy with a working elevator. As often happens in France, the elevator in Metz was too small to take bikes (at least it was working) which can be very frustrating, especially when you need to change platforms to make a connecting train. Luckily, a wonderful young man carried my bike down the stairs and then when it came to the new platform, no less than five SNCF staff checked tickets and then watched as I struggled with my bike. They suggested the elevator but when I advised it was too small, they just shrugged their shoulders and turned away.
I frustratingly dumped the panniers at the bottom of the stairs knowing the train was departing imminently given the first train was late. Another man who was departing the station carried my bike up the stairs, while the original young man loaded it on the train and then both men made a dash to help me with my panniers. The original young man then helped me in Strasbourg to navigate the stairs yet again. So extraordinary to receive the help from strangers. There is a lot of kindness in the world.
Then alas, the camp ground is booked solid all week so there is no possibility to get a tent site even with a bike. Thanks goodness for the Ibis and a credit card! With a view of the cathedral!
Valerie and I visited Metz today where we met with Carine and Laurent for a lovely day wandering the streets of the old town. We visited the famous gothic Metz Cathedral with 6500m2 of stained glass. Quite extraordinary.
Luxembourg is a beautiful country with the same name for the capital. It is bordered by France, Belgium and Germany. Luxembourg has a long history with invasion due to war, liberated by American troops in 1944 only to be invaded again by Germany late in the same year. It is one of the founding members of the United Nations and proudly displays the Monument of a remembrance or the Gelle Fra as a memorial for the thousands of people who volunteered for service due world wars one and two and the Korean and Spanish civil wars.
