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| Chalk drawings on a sidewalk in Strasbourg, France. |
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Veteran's Day
Happy Veteran's Day. Not only is it Veteran's Day in America but it is the same holiday in Europe as well. Students have the day off. A lot of businesses, shops, and restaurants are closed today. Things are pretty quiet in Strasbourg because of the holiday.
My daughter and I attended a military service this morning in the Place de la Republique. We didn't stay for the entire ceremony but I appreciated what I saw. It reminded me to be thankful that I live a life of independence and freedom. I am also very blessed with a life full of peace.
It feels a bit odd to be writing about Veteran's Day as a citizen of the United States living in a foreign country. I know exactly what I would say if I had only an American viewpoint. I would write about how thankful I am for the men and women keeping me safe and protected. But I don't live in my sheltered American bubble anymore. Today I watched a ceremony dedicated to soldiers who may or may not keep my country of origin safe. Currently France and America are friends but peace between countries is always tenuous. But that doesn't mean that these individual soldiers are any less brave, courageous, or committed to protecting what they value as American veterans are. The only difference between them is the country they are loyal to.
Today I am thankful for people who are willing to dedicate their lives to causes that they truly believe in. Being a member of any military, from any country, is a great act of loyalty and self-sacrifice. On a personal note, I am thankful for the opportunity to see a different side of a concept that I would never have examined if I had only ever lived in the United States.
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| Flowers to adorn the statue of the fallen soldiers |
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| Veterans greeting each other |
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| This little girl was trying her best to see the proceedings. |
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Was James Bond in Strasbourg?
I know nothing about cars so I won't pretend to be an automotive expert in this post. But I do appreciate a nice looking car when I see one. My husband, daughter, and I passed a really, really, really... really.... nice car parked on a small side street in Strasbourg this past weekend.
We were walking along a typical, tiny street in the older section of Strasbourg. It is one of those winding European lanes that have sidewalks wide enough for one person while the actual road isn't wide enough for two cars to pass. Originally designed for horses and wagons they just aren't practical for automobiles. There was a group of people crowding the sidewalk, looking at the other side of the street. Some were even snapping pictures. Curious, we stopped, looked, and then stared. I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures as well.
There, on this little alley-like street, with no body guard, was a silver Aston Martin DB5. My husband had to educate me on the facts about this expensive automobile preferred by James Bond. Upon coming home we looked up how much this car might be worth and commands a pretty hefty price tag. Ironically it was parked across from a Norma grocery store and an internet cafe. Norma stores are similar to the Aldis in America. They are places to get banged up or bruised merchandise at a discount. Maybe cutting grocery costs and frequenting internet cafes instead of owning their own computer is how the car's owner is able to afford it?
It was interesting to see other pedestrians' fascination as well. Most people who were passing by stopped and stared. One man pretended he was getting into the car and had his friend take a picture of him doing so. I overheard one admirer say "C'est anglais par excellence, " or basically that car is English perfection.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Les Photos du Jour: Pampered Pup
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| This dog was enjoying watching the happenings on the street from the warmth of a fashionable Strasbourg shop. |
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