May 28, 2004

Let me just say, it's a wonderful time to be visiting France. Strasbourg is a beautiful city that is just gorgeous to see. We have been traveling by foot throughout the city streets these past four days, exploring different shops and pastry stores. Our newfound favorite breakfast food is the chocolate croissant. It is absolutely amazing! You can't beat the market fresh produce that is available every Wednesday and Sunday. I've never seen fruit or vegetables as ripe and succulent as what is here in Strasbourg. It is obvious that the French people love to eat and cook wonderful meals. I just can't say enough about the food. Even Flunch, the French version of Cowan, offers bright and colorful fruits that will just melt in your mouth.

Julie James (one of our instructors) has given us a list of things to do this week. The most challenging feat (other than staying out of the McDonalds in Strasbourg) is to converse with French people and talk about cultural differences between France and America.

Since only two of the 10 students on this trip speak French, it has definitely been an experience. Much to my surprise, the French people are very polite and love to talk to Americans. They are excited to see that we are trying to speak French and learn more about their culture.

One night, we spent hours in a local bar (called Route 66) talking to three French men about America. It's funny, because I don't think you can talk to French people and avoid the topic of politics. It is bound to come up one way or another.

Strasbourg has a long history of conflict, mainly between the Germans and the Francs. I was not prepared to see all the diversity, even while just walking around. There are large immigrant populations of German-speaking people, Africans, Asians, and Arabic communities.